Model Railroading > Trackwork begins on the 2014 PC...

It is time to start laying track on the 2014 Penn Central...I started just west of St Lawrence Yard here at the moveable bridge at CP 314. I also have been painting locomotives....including this C44...a long-ago-painted replacement shell for one that had an accident...taking a loooonnngggg dive off the back of a truck....the Kato shell will now cover a sound-equipped drive.

Bob

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Nice work Bob. I can empathize with you on how long things take to get going or completed. I finally have an empty nest, and have been waiting years to convert a bedroom to a train room.
Matt
Chattanooga, Tn.

A final decision has been made to go with a 2" foam subroadbed as well. Driven partly by the need to move a lot of layout "top" up a long stairway, foam won out over much heavier plywood, The desire to be able to sculpt elevation differences more easily was a factor. Cork roadbed will be secured atop the foam, with track laid on that. I have all of the track and turnouts needed, in hand as of yesterday - so off we go.

Benchwork is at the 40% mark now, so the track effort seems a good idea, starting with the large St. Lawrence yard. I designed my own "Remote/Manual" turnout controls, making the parts out of ABS plastic on a 3D printer. We'll see how it works....otherwise I am using Peco's new machines.

The layout also underwent a major track plan re-design. I'll post it when time allows...work has been a bear of late.

Bob

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Bob, what is the width and height of you layout. Looks like 30" wide and 50" to top of foam??

oldSALrailfan Wrote:
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> Bob, what is the width and height of you layout.
> Looks like 30" wide and 50" to top of foam??


That spot...the St. Lawrence Yard, is 38" front to back, and 57" to the top of the foam.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I'll look at these measurements and see how it fits my height / reach. I'll be building a 10 x 11 with three sides against the walls.

oldSALrailfan Wrote:
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> Thanks Bob. I'll look at these measurements and
> see how it fits my height / reach. I'll be
> building a 10 x 11 with three sides against the
> walls.


You may find you will ultimately need a step-platform along the edge on the floor, elevated about a foot, like Tony Koester has on his NKP layout in a few places. Depends on what you want to reach. I bought one of those Topside Creepers from MicroMark to build the layout/trackwork/scenery with for just that purpose - reach :)

Bob



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/14 06:35 by navarch1.

Just checked out the Micro Mark creeper...great piece of equipment to have. Thanks Bob

oldSALrailfan Wrote:
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> Just checked out the Micro Mark creeper...great
> piece of equipment to have. Thanks Bob


I could not build this thing without it....it will be really hands for track laying and scenery work...

...you are quite welcome.

Bob