Jersey City Industrial Railroad Micro-Layout

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Where did you order track from??

[DKS]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=321125888581&pt=Model_RR_Trains&_osacat=0&hash=item4ac4983245&_ssn=mr.amherst&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1&_nkw=Code+55&_sacat=0&_from=R40

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ahh. I'm so mad I didn't stock up and cash in!

[Dave Schneider]

Thanks for the link David.  I was able to pick up some turnouts that I needed to extend the Beer Line. A little pricey, but I didn't want to go all summer without laying some more track. 

Best wishes, Dave

[VonRyan]

I'm thinking this just might work. My thought is to build a removable backdrop for the layout that would wrap around three sides, thus more or less limiting the viewing angle to one side. With an almost solid row of buildings running diagonally across the middle, I think there will be sufficient view blocking to keep the eras pretty well segregated.



I'm thinking of doing the 40s setting when viewed from the top of the plan, so that most all of the building fronts will be relatively new, and doing the 70s setting when viewed from the bottom of the plan, so that the backs of the buildings will be decrepit, which I think will offer ample opportunity to represent a really seedy part of town.

To switch eras, flip the layout around 180 (leaving the backdrop stationary), and swap out all of the rolling stock.

BTW, I've started selecting structures to bash--I've got all but 3 or 4 buildings accounted for.







I've also ordered all of the track.

aaaaaaaand boom goes the dynamite.


-Cody F.

[luis_lopes]

I thunk this will be really good.

Just with the printed track on paper and some parts of buildings already looks good!

[davefoxx]

AHA!  So, that's how you do it, DKS.  You left the "easy button" on the layout before you took this picture.   

[Chris333]

Now with water! Do I count 3-4 re-visions already? 

But really every layout needs water. 

[DKS]

Now with water! Do I count 3-4 re-visions already?

Yes, I've been doing subtle tweaks along the way. The track plan has not changed; I've just been shuffling around buildings and fleshing out other areas. The water feature will have a rolling lift bridge in the raised position. I've always thought that was an iconic feature of northeast urban industry.

[mcjaco]

Love it, David!  I have the Kalmbach Urban Modeling book in my stash, and just love it.  This one looks like it'll capture that perfectly. 

Can't wait to see the progress!

[DKS]

Today the track is laid. It all happened rather quickly, starting with the track components being fitted to a full-size track plan:



Next, the track sections were soldered together in four chunks, using the track plan as a pattern:



The assembled track was placed on a sheet of half-inch Gatorfoam, and the track outline was traced:



High-bonding double-sided 3M tape was applied using the tracing as a guide:



Plain Scotch tape was placed over the double-sided tape under the turnout throw bars, and slots were cut to clear feeder wires soldered to the undersides of rail joiners:



Finally, the cover strips were removed from the double-sided tape, and the track assembles were carefully placed in position:



Everything was completed in one evening.

[Dave V]

[eric220]

That.  I wish I could get all my track down in one night...

[Chris333]

I'll go grab the popcorn!

[PRRATSF]

And I'll pick up some adult beverages....