I thought you might like to see my layout drawing again. There are six pages and does not show how module 05 will look. Unfortunately my laptop is not working right, I've lost all drawing function and will have to draw the new module 05 by hand. It will have the Arkansas River bridge. Joe
Hi Joe.... Missed your post almost 2 weeks ago. Congrats on the 37th anniversary... looks like we were on the same 'wave length'... my wife and I have also been married since July 1982. 4 months later I became an N scaler too. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
Thank you Calzephyr!!! My wife, Cynthia, bought a N scale Model Power Santa Fe five car heavyweight passenger train in 1984 for my birthday. She used her last maternity check to pay for it. That's how I got into N scale, isn't she lovely for doing this. I started collecting Frisco items in 1998 and have about 250 models in total, 135 being Frisco. Joe
Wow... you knew the marriage would last with your wifes willingness to share the hobby with you and the baby. Again such a close parallel to my wife and I. The difference being that we found out in early Nov. 1982 that we were going to be parents. I bought the Model Power Santa Fe passenger set with 'lightweight' cars. I set up a tiny 2 x 3 oval of track for Christmas with an artificial 4' tree at the center. I ran the passenger train a couple times but it didn't look right. I picked up a couple of flat cars and hoppers and caboose. On Christmas Day I put little boxes with earrings, a bracelet and necklace on the flat cars and hopper, then surprised her by running the little train out of a tunnel. She immediately accepted my new hobby... she was happy the 'cute' presentation as well as the presents. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
Thank you. Looks like we have a parallel life's. Only you did it a year earlier. Cynthia is going to paint the background on my layout. . Joe
Great to have your spouse participate in the hobby. My wife is a watcher... not a participant. Sent from my SM-J737T using Tapatalk
Thank you, is your name Joe too? Cynthia my wife has been making trees and has painted several buildings, she enjoys the time working with me. Couldn't ask for a better wife!!! Joe
Sunday evening I found a half hour to draw cut lines on a 3/4 inch Birch plywood board for the new module 05. Now if it would warm up a bit outside, 36°, I can cut the plywood. It's a small project but at least it's making progress on the layout. Haven't had much free time here lately so I'm glad I found the time to work on the new module. Joe
Incredibly well thought out track plan and layout. Been enjoying going through the thread and the pics. Nice work!
Thank you guys!!! I'm getting excited about the new module, will cut the plywood as soon as it stops raining and when it warms up a bit. Started drawing the plan for the new module this morning, will post it later. Looks like it will be Friday when I can do the plywood, today and tomorrow is going to be in the low 40's with on and off rain. Joe
I just finished cutting the 3/4 inch Birch plywood for the new module 05 and assembled it. The plywood was 41x21 so I had to splice it two places to make the module 58x12. Next step is to install installation foam to each end, the Arkansas River will have a high water level to keep from having to a lot of work on the L-Girder supports. Joe
This morning I installed 1-1/2 inches of insulated foam on the new module 05. I found some bridges that will work for this project, will buy three bridges next month. The next step is to install the new module on the layout. Joe
Tuesday, Permanently installed the foam on the new module 05 with caulking as glue. Applied glue on the ballast that I have done so far and to get the old module 05 ready for removing. Wednesday, Used a razor saw to cut the tracks at the interface of modules 05 and 06. Removed the old module 05. Loaded new module 05. Match drilled the holes for 1/4 x 2-1/2 inch bolts that hold the modules together, two at each end. Installed bolts. Altogether it has been a busy couple of days, it feels great to get back to work on the layout after a long break. My legs haven't been hurting too much hear lately, just mild pain, which I can live with. Joe
I've decided what bridges I want to buy. For the main span will use a Tomix arched bridge and for the other bridges use three Central Valley. One of the CV bridges will have to shorten a little bit for the bridge north of the main span. Altogether the area that needs to be crossed is 40 inches, but I can easily add to or take away the insulation foam to adjust for the total bridges length. The module is 58 inches long and 12 inches wide. So looking at the total number may have to shorten two bridges. Joe
Does anyone know how long the Tomix #3222 arched bridge is? This is the bridge I want for the main span. Joe
I found the length of the Tomix #3222 arched bridge, 22 inches long. Spent all day looking for the bridge and none of the ads have the answer. Then I found a link to this thread right here on TrainBoard with a great discussion about the bridge. Joe