HCD for an N scale layout.

PRR1957 Oct 13, 2011

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  1. Mike C

    Mike C TrainBoard Member

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    Check out the Kato website, They have a compleate double track set-up for 100 bucks item # 20-870-1. and an add on double crossover set for 80 bucke item # 20-866-1. This would probably save a bit over buying parts seperately HTH.....Mike
     
  2. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    Mike C

    I cannot seem to locate that setup. Could you copy & paste the URL?

    Thank you :)
     
  3. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    PW&NJ

    Thank you. I checked that site out. I found a nice one that is only 2'6" x 5'.

    That would certainly work nicely for me in my situation :)

    I haven't bought but a few unitrack pieces. Some was sent to me by another gentleman on this board who shared his leftover items. I have much work cut out for me. I'm going to do this though & have become quite happy about it. It feels wonderful to be looking forward to this. I'm determined to make something work out!

    :)
     
  4. PW&NJ

    PW&NJ TrainBoard Member

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    Great to hear it. :) Thanks to the generosity of others here on TB, I basically have all of the track I need to build my harbor layout so I'm glad I can help others, too. And it's great to hear that there's more of that kind of help going on. :)
     
  5. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    If I go with Don Culp's Havaphew Central, is the minimum radius of 9.75" okay? Too tight?
     
  6. Logtrain

    Logtrain TrainBoard Member

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    Well with 9.75" radius you will have to be VERY selective about the equipment you run. My dads layout has 11.5" radius and we still have to be careful with that. One thing that we did on my dads layour was hide the loops in the tunnels. What this does is allows us to run trains and not have the trains looks unrealistic going around a tight corner on each end of the layout.
     
  7. PW&NJ

    PW&NJ TrainBoard Member

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    Now just to clarify things, this all depends on what you wish to accomplish. Almost every one of my locomotives works on my planned site's minimum radius of 5.5 inches (yes I said 5.5 inches, just in case anyone thought this was a typo). The only one that wouldn't do it was the RSD-15, and that's fine. Just for reference, my other locomotives include:

    Kato F-3 (A&B)
    Kato GP 50
    Bachmann F-9
    Life-Like SW-1200
    Bachmann PCC Trolley
    Bachmann Plymouth Switcher
    Scratchbashed boxcab
    Scratchbashed 59-tonner

    Now, if I wanted to run long trains with body-mounted couplers and 3-axle trucks, I'd have to change my layout significantly, but I like my layout plan and my locomotive fleet fits it so I'm not worried about it. Plus, the tight-radius turns are prototypical for what I'm doing (urban harbor switching layout). On the other hand, all of my locomotives (and probably any that I'd be interested in owning) run fine on 9.75-inch radius curves. It may not look prototypical, but it'll work and look good enough for me.

    If you're concerned that a specific locomotive or piece of rolling stock you have won't work on that radius, get some pieces of track (or some flex track and a ruler) and test it. If it doesn't work, change your track plan or change your trains. :)

    BTW, your H16-44 ought to work just fine at 9.75 inches (and probably look great doing it, too!).
     
  8. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, guys. I'm not as concerned about the length of this HCD as I am about the width. I may have them cut it down to 5 feet from the 80". Better to have is small enough to be able to use it than one too large that I never bring it out to run trains.

    It's just that clincher on the width. I want no less that 30", but maybe 32" is a good compromise. There is 30", 32, & 36". I'd sure like to have a bit more radius for sure.
     
  9. Ed M

    Ed M Passed away May 2012 In Memoriam

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    "I was talking with my Mrs about which size to get & where in the world I'm going to store it. Another hurdle, but will work on that. I have no attic to work with, no basement to put it, but I'll figure something out. I think I already mentioned that our home is only approx 750 sq ft. So you can see that is pretty limiting."


    On my previous layout I had a similar (if not quite so small) problem. I stored the door upright against the wall and set it up on a dinette table to work on/operate. Not ideal, as you have to remove all the rolling stock after each session, but workable. I didn't get to the buildings/details stage, but those would have needed to be securely fastened down. That might work as a temporary solution until you figure out something better.

    I attached a couple of drawer pulls to the sides of the door to make it easier to handle. And I attached a couple of small rubber bumpers to one end so that it wouldn't slide when I stood it up on edge. And I ran a few 1x2's along the underside of the door so that I had a space to run wiring under the door and still be able to set it down on a tabletop.

    You could also use folding sawhorses to temporarily set up the layout. They fold flat and can be stored behind the door.

    Just a suggestion. Enjoy the layout.

    Ed
     
  10. Tad

    Tad TrainBoard Supporter

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    You can't do that. It's hollow.
     
  11. PW&NJ

    PW&NJ TrainBoard Member

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    Actually, you can do it, but you have to properly fill the hollow end with some more wood. With the right tools, it's not that complicated.
     
  12. drgwspup

    drgwspup TrainBoard Member

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    Sure you can.

    I've done it. After cut to size, simply insert, into the hollow area, the appropriate size lumber, glue and tack in place. I used the original bottom of the door with the luan chiselled off.

    Pastor, what era/prototype are you modelling?
     
  13. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    Tad:

    I understand, but couldn't the proper size of a piece of wood be tacked into the opened/cut end?
     
  14. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    Oh, that's too funny ... two of you typed what I posted apparently while I was typing & posting! *chuckle*
     
  15. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    By the way, I'm seriously thinking of doing a 3' x 5'.
     
  16. drgwspup

    drgwspup TrainBoard Member

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    LOL, folks are up late tonight.

    I would suggest going as wide as you can on the door. Besides allowing for a wider radius, it will provide space to scenic it.

    Do you have a prototype and era in mind. Or going freelance?
     
  17. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    Going to be the early to mid 60's I think.

    Yes, I want room for not only the radius, but also don't want the tracks too close to the edge in case of a derail. I want to protect what little I have.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvrDJY6o4ZA

    Found this video above and feel convinced the 3' x 5' would be perfect.
     
  18. drgwspup

    drgwspup TrainBoard Member

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    Pasto,r have you seen this Trainboard thread? http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?135906-Modified-Havaphew-Central

    It shows a modified Havaphew on a full length door. I realize your space is at a premium but those extra 20 inches... :)

    How much of the Unitrack do you still need? I have some extra pieces hanging around that you can have.

    Are you modeling any specific prototype railroad? Looks by your avatar that you are a Pennsy fan. My Dad, who got me started in model trains, is a Pennsy and Amtrak fan. I grew up in Philadelphia and my Dad used to take us train watching at Frankford Junction. Fun memories.
     
  19. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    drgwspup: Oh, please ... don't get me started :) I could go on & on with stories & such. Others may recall a long time ago, when basically introducing myself here, I let folks know that my father was on the railroad for 40 years. His father was an engineer ... with 50 years service. My uncle & some other relatives also worked for the railroad. Dad started with PRR, then PC, then ConRail, then retired. Grandpa was always PRR.

    As tempting as it is to share stories, I won't. So simply stated, I am going PRR. I'm trying to figure a way to incorporate PC. That's why I'd like to model early 60's through early 70's .. approx that 10 year period.

    Most of my memories are of PC, but I can still recall much about PRR.

    I won't bore anyone with the stories, I realize they mean the most to me, not others, but sometimes I almost feel like it's an ache just wanting to share them.

    Yeah, the full 80" door would be nice, but no way if I want to be able to move around in the living room, 'cause that's the only place with the room for anything I put together anyway.

    I'm going to figure how to make a photo page & perhaps I can upload a couple of images of what I'm looking to do.
     
  20. PRR1957

    PRR1957 TrainBoard Member

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    Okay, here we go. I've made up my mind. *clicks heels*

    A layout that doesn't get used isn't worth anything to me, so since I have space issues I'm going to keep it relatively simple in size. 30" x 48" is gonna have to do in this small home.

    I also love the idea of a winter scene. I know that part is probably overly ambitious. I have fond memories of the winter as a child, going with dad out on a call. One particular time we stopped by the local drugstore. I waited in his red PRR truck while he went in to get a treat for us. I watched him through the large window in the front of the store as he stepped up to that nut display case. It was white trimmed & glass with a heating bulb in the top. He made his order and the lady handed him a little white sack. He returned to me in the vehicle with a bag of warm cashews! That was a treat on a freezing cold winter day. We took off from the parking space and headed out to light the gas heaters at the switches around the area.

    I could go on & on ... giving more details, different short stories, but you get the mental picture of a child with his hero ... his father.

    I learned just a bit ago to post an album. I have two photos in it. It shows the basic idea of the layout I've decided on. Also, since radius is an issue I won't use over a 4 axle loco, nor rolling stock over 50 ft. Hopefully, everything will look fairly decent and prototypical rather than looking out of balance & out of place. Feedback is always measured & weighed.

    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1524&attachmentid=40317

    and

    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1524&attachmentid=40318
     

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