Hello everyone, Allow me to explain the subject matter of this post. I was in the process of creating a trackplan which some of you may have seen in my previous post. As I developed the trackplan I began to realize that the space I had in mind for that plan did not provide the best support. By support I mean it was a little lacking in electrical outlets, lighting just to mention a few. I am currently renting and I have spoken with my landlord who is very supportive of my plans to build a layout but won't pay to add extra lighting or electrical (which I wouldn't expect just for me). At the same time I don't want to pour a ton of money into upgrading the basement of the townhouse I'm in for a layout that I plan to move with me. Following are the schematic drawings of the two areas I have available to my use at this time. One is the basement of the townhouse which is what I had planned to use originally until my recent thoughts on it not having extensive enough capabilities for the layout I had drawn up. The other is a spare room that is much smaller than the basement but has everthing necessary for a layout to function with no work or more importantly serious $ investment by me (besides layout specific materials, i.e. benchwork, etc.). Notes on basement: 1) only 2 60 watt light bulb fixtures and a 48" tube light fixture over washing machine 2) washer and dryer can't move due to their original hookup placements 3) open joist ceiling 4) one electrical outlet with only 2 plugs 5) basement leaked excessive water until recently (supposedly fixed) 6) no plans to build in the "Safety Zone" to avoid furnace as much as possible and underneath the stairs Notes on spare room: 1) much smaller than basement 2) well lighted 3) 4 electrical outlets 4) main entrance door to spare room and door to closet #2 would be removed from hinges and stored, other closet would not be utilized and remain closed I was hoping to get a few opinions from some of you as to what you would do. Guess I'm looking for input on if you would build in the basement even with its limitations due to the extra space or utilize the spare room? My biggest concern with basement is almost no electrical outlet resources and lighting is poor in comparison to overall space. I will probably be in this townhouse for at least 2 more years and I really have to get a railroad up and running soon or I'll go nuts. The plan is to build the layout in small portable sections so I can move most of it with me. The scale I model is HO and I run large steam (N&W A, Y class) on both freight and passenger. One more question for those who think the spare room is a better option. Any thoughts for a trackplan for that space? Thanks everyone, [ 10. January 2005, 23:46: Message edited by: The Arrow ]
I would opt for the basement as you can build in "sections" and they would be easier to move than a traditional bench work. Look at dominoes' theory if you need inspiration in MR's going back the past 8 years or so. David Barrow and Linda Sands have been the author of "domino" construction and planning. Since you are only going to be in this building for a couple of years, I'd do a point to point, then modify this plan when you move. In the basement you can build quite a number of sections, and in the time you have, you probably wouldn't get them all done. If you end up staying a couple of more years than you planned, you could bring the sections up to a high level of detail. Most of the layouts I run on are point to point so I don't notice the lack of continuous running any more.
Mike, Dimensions are in purple on each drawing. The spare room without closets is 11'-3" x 9'-6" and the basement is 28'-10" x 13'-8" but has some obstacles that would have to be taken into consideration (furnace, washer, dryer, etc.). Rick, I would like to be able to have the trains run continously at times even if half of the layout had no scenery applied and was just a flat sheet of plywood with benchwork. Domino construction and planning? I don't believe I have any MR issues with articles like these, do you know when the last one was published? Or can you give a quick generic description here of the concept? thanks [ 10. January 2005, 20:31: Message edited by: The Arrow ]
I agree, sections would be a good start. Maybe 3'-5' in length, they're portable and can be easily added to. Plus, you actually can get a section COMPLETE and run-able before you move on to the next section. maybe like N-Trak, but without the stringent dimension requirements on track placement.
Nate, I'd agree with Rick above - build modules in the basement, which you can take with you when you move. I did that when I rented. (Of course, after I moved, I ended up abandoning the old layout anyway and starting all over! ) But it still is a good way to go - if nothing else, it's easy to move when you do!
I appreciate all the input thus far. Now I have another question since everyone that has responded thus far believes the basement to be the best option. How do I resolve the problem of only having the 1 electrical outlet in the basement. That only leaves me with one plug in reality because the 48" light fixture has to use one of the plugs. I have thought about getting a power strip similar to the ones used in most home offices for computers. Do you think that is the best way to go? What about lighting, it is ok but not ideal? Photography is another hobby of mine and I hope to combine both hobbies by shooting my layout as I progress. Does anyone have a suggestion for getting a little more lighting in the basement? I have purchased some of those new bulbs that use less wattage but produce light equal to 100 watt bulbs for the basement already. It has improved lighting over the old standard 60 watt bulbs that were down there but still not great. If you look at the drawing of the basement you'll notice the two overhead bulb sockets are spaced out fairly far with not much in between. Also, the furnace duct work obstructs some of the light from those fixtures. Comments from the original question still appreciated and welcome as well as these new ones.
The layout doesn't draw that much current, so the answer would depend on what else you had in mind to drink from that faucet...
I can address your electrical stuff, with a bit of qualification...... The layout itself won't draw much current. There's no worry at all as to what the outlet can carry. Lets suppose that you go absolutely CRAZY and run 20 locomotives in a consist pulling 100 cars fully loaded with real coal, which for some reason fuly loads down the loco's. Assuming HO of course.... 3/4 amp per loco X 20 = 15 amps. 15 amps X 15 volts (running a bit hot) = 225 watts. 225 watts X 1.5 (efficiency questions) + some for accessories = MAYBE 500 watts? Piece of cake for an outlet, right? I bet your maximum load is half that much. I bet you pull more power on tools when you build the layout. As for lighting, I'd seriously look at putting up some flourescent shop lights that hang down on chains. They're easy to put up, and you can take them with you when you leave. They usuallyt have a plug on them. I'd tap them into the existing light with an adapter. At 80 watts each, you should be able to put up at least 3 or 4 without encountering any problems. That should greatly help the lighting problems. Hope this helps! Go for the most space and the biggest layout. Mark in Utah
Mark, Thanks for the break down on the electrical aspects, makes me feel a little better on that end. Guess I was just worried about not having enough outlets for DCC, some accessories, and overhead shop lighting. Thanks for the input.
First, I'll see if I can dig up all the articles of domino theory construction and planning. This will take a while, I am re-organizing my MR mags. Check out Model Railroad Planning mags from former years (it only comes out once a year) for some good articles. Sectional or domino benchwork is great because even if you don't like your "old layout" you can rip up the track but still have your benchwork already built. This is why David Barrow designed Domino system construction - one reason was for the mind changers. Lighting - an effective method of lighting and somewhat cheap - is a system I have seen at MR shows. You know those cheap lights that are on an arm that extends and bends; well I've seen guys use those on their layouts. Some of these cheap lights have an extended piece at the end that slides into an adapter that is clampled to the tables. Well instead of using the adapters, they just drill holes in the back drop top and slide in these extended pieces into the holes, thus you can lighting as frequently or infrequently as you like. A warning - if you use the above suggestion it will be possible that you max out your electrical plug so if that happens, swith the light bulbs to flourescent.
Rick, Thanks for the alternative idea with the lighting. I appreciate your assistance with the domino system benchwork and have no problem waiting to see what you find. Thanks for the suggestions and info.
I guess as an N scaler the spare room looks pretty sweet to me. Have you seen the recent great model railroads and the Walla Walla RR built on commercial shelving brackets with lots of switching? Lighting is really critical. I would go for a room with lots of light. Basements tend to have unfinished walls. A finished drywall with white paint is much more reflective and offers much more even light.
Actually I used to model in N scale and probably would be a great choice for apartment living but I have too much invested into my new scale (HO) now. I have seen the special model railroader issue your refering to and I really did like the Walla Walla but I have some A & Y class steamers just begging to hit the high iron on a layout. A switching layout would work well for my smaller locos but then I would never get to stretch the legs of the bigger boys and hear the A. The basement at my apartment probably could be painted white because the walls are poured concrete foundations and are nice and smooth. I had entertained the idea but was unsure how much of a difference the white walls would make down there with the limited light fixtures.
