I still see kinks. Also, aren't the two aquaducts supposed to be joined together? On the kinks, don't force the track together or even think the train will "run ok even if it is bent a bit". It won't. I relaid my track 3 times and in one area, 4 times to get it right.
Mo: You did a nice job of laying the track. I like the trackplan you used. Stay cool and run steam.....
Kinks: Pic#4 bottom track pic#5 track from point end of turnout and next closer track pic#6 right side of right turnout pic#7 two nearer tracks on upper level pic#8 lower track pic#12 second track on upper level pic#13 nearer track on upper level pic#15 nearer track under aquaduct and track on right aquaduct. There may be more. Al
Mo I was not being critical by pointing out the kinks. I have a 12'x16' layout and still have bad track after 10 plus years. ie driving the nails too tight on flex track and thus narrowing the gauge, laying flex track on a curve with the loose rail on the inside thus narrowing the gauge, fastening track at each end of a turnout down even though the ties on the track were thinner than those on the turnout causing the turnout to bow up in the middle. Also still have many uneven sections of track- bows/dips. Al
First thans to all who helped and responded. There is a saying that if you start a building wrong from the foundation, the building would be crooked at the end. So, I might go and get another piece of plywood and start all over again. This time I am going to take my time laying down all the tracks, mark them and then cut it. What do you think. From the buttom of my heart thanks to each one of you. Mo
Mo- Don't use nails. Use an adhesive for the cork roadbed and another adhesive for the track onto the roadbed. Watered down Elmer's white glue works perfectly. When glueing, use push pins to hold in place while drying. On the roadbed, tack every inch or so, alternating sides, on the track push the pin into the track nail holes in the track.
Thanks Mark, but you need to explain this better to me. As you know I am new and do not know much about this hobby. What kind of adhesive for the cork and what kind of the tracks? How can you glue tracks? What is "push pins" ? By the way I got new Plywood and I am painting it now, so may be in the next day or so I will start laying down the tracks. Thanks again for all your support.
Hi Moshken. Welcome to the forum. I've looked at your photos and think you've got a good start there. Good trackwork amd avoiding kinks is hard to do with sectional track. I'd suggest using flex track to make things work better. There are also a few places where you get pretty close to the edge of the layout. I'd suggest not any closer than 2-3 inches to the edge from your trackwork. Other than that, you've got a good start. I dont think you need to start completely over, just take your time with the track laying and make sure its as straight as possible with "flowing" curves. You might even see about getting some templates at your local shop to help with laying the track straight. My only other suggestion is to cut away the extra wood and make more of an open grid to your benchwork instead of the "plywood islands". It might allow you more variation for scenery.
Hi , Two plywood gone, and the third one is in the paint shop. I updated my web site and put a lot of bench photos. Please whenever you have time look at them and see if there is any mistake any where. Thank you very much for all your very kind support. Mo http://www.pbase.com/moshken/mos_train
Hi, My first draft is done. I have to do some tweaking. When ever you have time please take a look at the web site and tell me what do you think. Thank you so much. Mo http://www.pbase.com/moshken/mos_train
Hi, I do not know what to say. I took few days break and then I went back to the tracks to tweak it. I can't leave the required minimum space of 15/16" between the parallel tracks on both side of the upper level. I am so frustrated that I am very close to give up this hobby. In any endeavor if you face with a failure one after another, the result would be a complete frustration and letting the endeavor go. I am putting some photos on my web site, if you have time please look and see what do think. I know I have been asking you too much. If you need more photos please let me know so I will post more. Thanks. Mo:-( http://www.pbase.com/moshken/mos_train
Mo: It takes time to get a trackplan right. There;s no need to give up on the hobby. Keep making modifications until you're happy with the plan. You can cut sections with a razor saw to get the size track sections you want. Stay cool and run steam.....
i agree with bob, mo, hang in there. it'll all be worth it when you get to run that first train. now, i like bob's recommendation of the razor saw. also, i'll add that you should add some flex track. here's an idea you can try... first do all the track on the sides (all the curves). don't do any track in the center. then, use exclusively flex, cutting to the necessary length.
Hi again Mo. Looked at your pictures of your layout. I've got a couple suggestions and I'll let you take them as you see fit. The revised trackwork does look better, but you're still WAY too close to the edge of your layout board. What's going to happen when your layout gets bumped and several hundred dollars of locos and cars head toward the floor? It seems to me that you're trying to make too much fit into your space. I don't see much room for scenery. I think that although you've put alot of work into what you've got, there might be another solution. What if you were to do this: 1. Establish what railroad(s) you want to model and the era. 2. Figure out what you want to do for operations (long mailnline run, switching, etc) and the industries you want to have. Your railroad needs to have a reason to exist. 3. Figure out the secenery you want to model, which will help with developing your trackplan. Now, after this is done, the guys here that are always so helpful can come up with something you like that fits your space and meets your requirements. This will accomplish several things: Your frustration level will go down, you won't be operating a "cookie cutter" layout, and you'll have a railroad that fits what you want to do instead of you fitting yourself to the railroad. Layout planning is the most time consuming and difficult part of getting started. By planning things from the start, it will help you be happier in the future. Just my 25 cents worth.
Thanks very much for your very kind advice. The layout that I am building is not mine, it is from Atlas and I have done the benchwork for it, and I purchsed all the tracks for it too. So, I think it is too late to change. May be I can build some kind of protection wall aroung the edge, do you think that might help? Thanks again. Mo
I understand where the layout came from MO, and in my opinion, that is where your problem is. You should take time to develop the reason and operations of your layout before you start laying track. There isn't any need to wory about the track you have, most of it could be used in any re-design. Your benchwork can be used to plan something else as well. I don't think a retaining wall around the layout is what you should be looking at. It's a general rule you shouldn't be any closer than 2-3 inches from the edge of the layout with the trackwork (it's what I've read here and other forums as well as in layout planning books). I just think you could get so much more out of what you're doing if you slow down a bit and do a little more planning. It's never too late to change anything.
Hello, Here again the latest. I added two 5/8 sections on outer circle for the upper level and it seems it solve the space problem. What do you think? http://www.pbase.com/moshken/mos_train
Thanks very much for your very kind advice. The layout that I am building is not mine, it is from Atlas and I have done the benchwork for it, and I purchsed all the tracks for it too. So, I think it is too late to change. May be I can build some kind of protection wall aroung the edge, do you think that might help? Thanks again. Mo </font>[/QUOTE]I have one of those close to the edge section of track too. While I have yet to lose a train, I've always considered rigging up a mesh-like safety net. Perhaps mounting a couple of brackets on the side and string a six inch wide piece of nylon (or other soft material) between them? It would softly catch anything on its way to the floor. Just an idea I've had for a while... Oh, and please hang in there. I've always liked this Atlas layout. [ 17. February 2005, 20:22: Message edited by: Bruce-in-MA ]
Some folks use plexiglass where tracks are close to the edge. Check out Allen Kellers Great Model Railroads #10. Allen uses the plexiglass as a prop and it sure sways back and forth. Wonder what the Reid brothers thought? Mo, maybe you should just lay track for part of the layout and get some trains running. Don't give up, we would miss your posts. Al
