layout woes

[wm3798]

Steve, I have your solution.  Get a keyhole saw, and make a couple holes in the laundry room wall...


When I served my purgatory in a suburban town house, that's the layout I built.

There's a couple of pictures in the "old layouts" gallery at my website.  There's a fairly adequate description of how it worked here: http://www.wmrywesternlines.net/interchangeprojects.php.


Lee

[asciibaron]

alright, ok... here is phase 2 of the layout.  not sure how to build the connecting bridge, but i'm sure i can figure it out.



is everyone happy?

-'67 doubts it will get this far

[wm3798]

Build the left and right sides out so you're lift out can be a straight line.  It can still be at an angle, but take the elbow out of it.  I'll take some pictures of mine to show you how the mounting works.  It requires a couple of bolts with wing nuts, and a stereo jack.

Until later...
Lee

[asciibaron]

i showed "THE" boss the phase 2 plan - her comment was i can do what i want as long as she can get in and out of the laundry room and the slding glass door with the stroller.  i am going to revise the phase 2 plan after i get the layout up and running - i'll probably want to change some other bits here.  Ed's idea of using oNeTrak modules has some merit. 

for the rcord, Atlas code 55 is sweet buttery goodness.

-67 plotting and scheming

[Chris333]

I like that last plan. If it was up to me I'd go like this:
[img width= height=]http://lh6.google.com/ErieChris333/RtnnEJHwE7I/AAAAAAAABy8/ysSAJ96Mu2A/s800/phase2-1.jpg[/img]

The red line is a hinge, the whole leaf would fold down out of the way and be out of the way up or down for getting into that door. You could put scenery on the drop down as well, maybe even make it a bit wider depending on just how it folds.

[SquirrelHollow]

The walkway where the bridge is looks a bit narrow.  When you consider the room the bridge will take up (with you avoiding it to prevent damage), it becomes even more narrow.  I would offer a solution, but I really don't have one for you right now.

I know you really want to scratch that itch, but planning ahead will save you many headaches (and rebuilds) in the long run.

[wm3798]

Steve,
You're in Maryland, right?  See if you can make it to my little gathering at the end of October.  Then you can see how I did my drop-leaf.  Here's some pics...



This is the hinge side.  I used phone jacks to make all the connections.  The 8-pin plug carries the MRC throttle buss.


This shows the wiring.  I used a 4-pole terminal strip to catch the track leads and the two wires for accessory lighting at North Jct.  (which I have yet to hook anything to...)

There's a barrel bolt at the east end of the bridge that holds it in position.

The two legs of the tunnel portal on the fascia hold the top in position, and prevents the bridge from rocking on the single barrel bolt.  If you're going surface to surface, you'll probably want two barrel bolts for maximum stability.

The other trick is to build the bridge first, then lay track on it as if it were permanent.  Glue it all in place solidly, and ballast it.  When it's all set, and the track alignment is tight, go back with the Dremel and cut the rail.  It should drop back into position with perfect alignment every time.

Oh, and if the wife says "Do what ever you want..." be very very suspicious... ;D

Lee

[Chris333]

Other quickie:
[img width= height=]http://lh5.google.com/ErieChris333/RtodxpHwE8I/AAAAAAAABzk/tZMfkIcSTP0/s800/phase2-2.jpg[/img]
You can certainly keep the passing siding on the drop down, but just in case I moved it. Looks like around 2'3"-2'6" wide to walk through.

[asciibaron]

The walkway where the bridge is looks a bit narrow.  When you consider the room the bridge will take up (with you avoiding it to prevent damage), it becomes even more narrow.  I would offer a solution, but I really don't have one for you right now.

the aisle is 34" wide - plenty of room for 1 operator.  the bridge is looking to be a more permanent structure as time passes with a folding bridge like on Lee's layout.  my wife has only asked i make sure there is ample aisleway to access the doors on the left of the layout.

I know you really want to scratch that itch, but planning ahead will save you many headaches (and rebuilds) in the long run.

these plans are not new - they were put on hold in Jan 2006.  i've decided to go ahead with them and deal with the layout when it comes time to move.  there is a reason i have the nickname Mr. 1967 and it isn't becuase i was born then.

-'67

[John]

Steve .. I have two bridges that fold up .. thye are not hard to make

[DKS]

Respectfully submitted for consideration.



With the layout built at roughly shoulder level, it would not feel as cramped as it looks. Track along the industrial flats on the right (four sidings) could be raised a little to add interest.

As an alternative, here is a different arrangement: the moveable section would fold up instead of down. In the raised position it would be over people's heads. This requires a pair of above-grade hinges, which is the reason for the T-shape at one end. It could hinge at either end depending on which is more convenient to operate.



Tapestry. Should have known. Way nice.

[bsoplinger]

That last plan suggestion with the straight bridge section (even though the track on it isn't straight) would be my suggestion. It'll make for a more secure bridge section with those nice straight connections vs the dog leg on the others.

[asciibaron]

Respectfully submitted for consideration.



With the layout built at roughly shoulder level, it would not feel as cramped as it looks. Track along the industrial flats on the right (four sidings) could be raised a little to add interest.

i like this - what program did you use to draw this?

Tapestry. Should have known. Way nice.

-Steve

[DKS]

i like this - what program did you use to draw this?

Corel Draw. Exported as .gif to Corel Photopaint, resized, and exported as .jpg.

[wm3798]

I'd suggest that you find a way to run a ramp to a lower level staging yard.  I've discovered that when you have adequate staging, even a small layout becomes more fun to operate.  Thru staging, if possible, is even better, because that increases the variety of traffic you can push through your "scene"

Lee