A free-moN version of the WBTR

[jpwisc]

Karl,
Question?
The two turnouts you placed in Arden Hills, if you would make those a left hand pair, wouldn't that flow a bit smoother and make better use of the siding for the building on the left?
Or did you plan it that way?

Also about the small siding above New Brighton, is that proto?  If so isn't it a bit redundant or is there a purpose for that small siding other than a run around?

Just curious?

Good questions, a left hand turnout could be smoother coming off the left track, but you would have to hand lay a custom angle on the right track.

The NB track layout is prototypical (but compressed) for 1985. If I was to add a second track into the yard it would be even more accurate.

[soo]

Karl,
I like the proto layout ALOT!!! Pretty sweet!!!

What turnout size did you use to draw with? Also what size Y turnout is that?. If it is Atlas 3.5, is that acceptable in the Free- moN world?

Are you trying to keep from cluttering the layout, by leaving the Bell Pole and Lumber out?

Is the double track main to standards? I can't tell from my end.

The idea is to replicate the drawing in 3rd Plan-it so I can print out 1:1 and use a pounce wheel to transfer the plan to the foam for cork.

I noticed in Ryan's motivational pics, the Arden hills area is on a lower grade than the main. That has me thinking about using HO scale cork for the main,,,but,,, that would pull the sections out of the free moN realm.

Are the 2 highways above grade or below grade? I Just need to see how thick to make the sub-roadbed base.

Ryan,  the motivational/inspirational pics are most SUPER AWESOME. I was telling Allen that I have to try to scratch build the Soo Line junction structure at New Brighton. Now just for a RS27......

Allen, thanks for listening to my rambling and your brain storming ideas.

To everyone else that commented and made points and also brought light to the subject thank you so much.

I would start making sawdust today, but it is Mother's Day. So wait I will.

Once again thank you to all that helped...time for.   ......holes and elbows

See ya, Wyatt

[coldriver]

I like it Wyatt!  My biggest concern would be the functionality of the Cardigan Jct yard.  I realize it's one of those "prototype vs functional compromise" things, but with the short lead, and the short class tracks that don't connect directly to the wye track I'd be worried the yard would function like trying to parallel park in a very tight spot.  It could border the line between interesting operating challenge and frustrating tedium. 

[jpwisc]

Wyatt,
I forgot to add Bell Pole, it is a must have industry. Poles hanging out over idler cars are just fun to see.

The turnouts are mostly #7, the Y is a #3.5, which is fine for FreemoN, it has the same diverging angle as a #7, it just diverges both directions. I don't use #5's, FreemoN standards won't allow them on the mains and I personally think they are too steep to have trains flow through realistically.

Coldriver, I think Wyatt is going to be building modules to house the other ends of the yards at some point.

With a switching layout it takes a surprisingly small amount of trackage to hold the cars you need. When I built my layout I only ended up needing half of the rolling stock I owned. Even with the small yards, this will hold enough cars to keep you busy for a couple hour session. Once Wyatt sets up a system for car forwarding system, the fun comes in keeping things realistic, figuring out how things really happened and then trying to re-create that.

That area has been heavily railfanned over the years and WC employees are some of the best people (thanks CN for ruining that trend).

[Bendtracker1]

Good questions, a left hand turnout could be smoother coming off the left track, but you would have to hand lay a custom angle on the right track.

The NB track layout is prototypical (but compressed) for 1985. If I was to add a second track into the yard it would be even more accurate.

Thanks for the info Karl!

[Missaberoad]

Karl,
I like the proto layout ALOT!!! Pretty sweet!!!
I noticed in Ryan's motivational pics, the Arden hills area is on a lower grade than the main. That has me thinking about using HO scale cork for the main,,,but,,, that would pull the sections out of the free moN realm.
Are the 2 highways above grade or below grade? I Just need to see how thick to make the sub-roadbed base.

Both highways are below grade.

As for the change in elevation at the industrial spur, since this is "private" trackage and will not be part of any community loop it shouldn't be an issue including this detail. The industrial sections will likely always have to be mated to the mother module the way they're intended.

By keeping the trackwork as close to the prototype as possible you will be able to operate it like the Soo did if at some point you learn/choose to, with no real downside if you never want to operate it like the prototype...

and remember the yard at Cardigan is not a classification yard, more like storage tracks by your era... you could easily use it as Karl has it laid out as a fiddle yard to stage the short industrial switching jobs.

I think the latest plan is a good balance between keeping the track layout prototypical and avoiding a over crowded look... Can't wait to see your rendition

[Missaberoad]

Ryan,  the motivational/inspirational pics are most SUPER AWESOME. I was telling Allen that I have to try to scratch build the Soo Line junction structure at New Brighton. Now just for a RS27......

A RS27 is high on my list of desires too... Just hoping if one is produced I'll have the money for the 4 to 8 I would want. They seemed to gravitate to Minnesota... 

[SSW7771]

This has been a fun read and great prototype info. The track plan has shaped up nicely.

I guess I need to wrap up my house projects and get the garage cleaned out so I can start building some of my own free-moN modules. If we get a few more DFW guys to join in we can start a group.

[soo]

Marshall,

 Thanks. I know Doug said he would be in for one, or a shared yard set.

If we can get  Dean, Ole, Jeff, You and Myself,, I think we would have a pretty good group. I found a place in Dallas for 2" Owens Corning Pink foam.

Place called Barnsco they are a concrete supply house. The 2" foam is used in insulating foundation walls, they sell the 4x8 sheets by the sq ft,, some think like 1.45$ a sq ft.. geez. I am picking up 4-5 sheets this thursday. I have to take some jukebox parts to Dallas to get fixed,, so I can swing by there and pick the sheets up. Nowhere in central Texas carries the 2". I might even go to DMT while I am there. Who knows.

Well anyways,, you are closer than I,, maybe you can bend their ear more than I can.

Adios, Wyatt

[Rossford Yard]

Wyatt,

Still noodling on my design for a switching layout.  Will look a lot like yours, but I can't see narrowing down my road name choices, so it will be the more generic "Annie Ware" Industrial Zone......

Don't think I want to incorporate a lift out section to Free MoN standards, but will be glad to build one mod just for shows.

[Missaberoad]

Sick of me yet? 

Some nice shots of the Soo at New Brighton in 1981.

Looking west showing the highway underpass
https://flic.kr/p/F5SJ2A
Looking east from the same location
https://flic.kr/p/EZ19GV

...and a couple shots of the Soo line depot
https://flic.kr/p/EEEQ1w
https://flic.kr/p/5osDqz

and a handfull of more recent shots showing the MNNR yard and the Bell pole yard
https://flic.kr/p/7Parj7
https://flic.kr/p/cLZMVq
https://flic.kr/p/DmKJZS
https://flic.kr/p/nkWMzR
https://flic.kr/p/BqeK8H

I also found this video of a cab ride from Camden Place Jct to Somewhere past Cardigan Jct.
New Brighton starts at 8:45 The industrial park at Lexington Ave is at 12:10

[soo]

This morning after the morning school bus run across town,, ( It's like 4-5 miles maybe) I decided to get to work on the legs.

After talking with Allen, I decided to go with these adjustable feet, they have a possible 3 1/2" inches of travel.



So I set up for rip operations this morning



And wound up with this



In the picture there are rips of 1/2" ply at 1 1/2" and 2". Gluing and stapling these together will form a 2"x2" leg. The cross members are 2" rips also those will keep the spread the correct distance at the bottom. I plan on using a 10" rip at the top with slots cut for the bolts and also cut a recess for the buss wires, so they will not get kinked or possibly damage to prevent the free electrons from flowing.

The wood was from my old layout, some of the plywood was a little bowed so  I might just go get some 1/2" birch plywood instead and re-cut the legs. I will see how straight they come out after I glue and staple them together.

I plan on getting all the sections done by the end of next week,, but we will see what we see.

Adios,Wyatt

[SSW7771]

Looking good. If you clamp the legs to something flat after glue them and then staple will help remove the bow.

Also thanks for the tip on the 2" foam.

[jpwisc]

I use those same Rockler feet with 1/2" birch plywood legs. I rip it into 1-1/2" and 2" strips and make L's. Lightweight and VERY strong.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This is gonna be awesome.