The Elmwood Subdivision

nolatron Sep 1, 2010

  1. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]
    Photos posted in this thread, from upmodelrailroad.com, are licensed under a
    Creative Commons Attribution/Noncommercial/ No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

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    Here I'll being documenting the construction of my freelance n-scale model railroad, now on it's 3rd iteration.

    The layout is a modern-day, Union Pacific layout that is 11'x11' in size. It is DCC controlled, complete with operating signals and powered turnouts.

    Before working on the new layout, I did some updates to my layout room (aka, the garage).


    First, I insulated the garage door and added a new 2nd floor seal. Just a little something to help with the temperature swings in the room. The ceiling is also insulated I believe (will need to climb in the attic to confirm).
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    Then I extended the T4 lights on the side walls from 2 fixtures long to 3 fixtures. I also moved the switch to be closer to the door (the one right next to the AC outlet). It was previously located in the middle of the wall by the other outley.
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    And lastly, I carpeted the garage floor. Nothing fancy, though. Just a 11'x16' roll of basic, $0.50/sqft carpet laid out right on the concrete. Makes a world of a difference on the feet though and pretties up the room.
    [​IMG]


    Labor day is coming up next week and I have the entire week off, so I'm planning to make that benchwork building time. Hoping to have all of the benchwork built by the end of next week while I have some "alone" time from the wife and kid.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2011
  2. NSES40DC2775

    NSES40DC2775 TrainBoard Member

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    Question: will you create your layout in section for easy disassembling just in case it'll help greatly. I'm still in the planning stages of my NS S-line layout, but I will make it in section to allow me the chance to move with me instead leaving it behind or destroying it.
     
  3. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, it'll be built using a couple sectional pieces and I plan on laying all the subroadbed, roadbed, track, etc... with that mind. The house we're in is a rental so I didn't want anything that would be permanent. This way when moving time eventually comes down the road I can break the layout apart and bring it with us.
     
  4. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Here's a look at the current working trackplan:


    [​IMG] [​IMG]



    The initial plan was based on the Wisconsin Central layout in Model Railroader. I had to reduce the size to 11'x11' to fit my space, then I adjust the mainline a bit to make the minimum radius 15" and the max grade aobut 2.5% instead of 4%.


    Originally, I had staging in the peninsula like the MRR plan, but I wanted to keep the construction of benchwork pretty simple since I'm aiming to build everything in sections. Instead of triple decking the peninsula, I decided to wrap the staging around the entire layout and basically create a "twice around" layout. One time being on staging, the 2nd time on the mainline.


    I don't have elevations yet but the staging starts at 0" at the lower left to the upper right. Then a grade up to 2.5" for the mainline. The main will drop back down to 0" as it wraps around the peninsula.


    I also removed the liftout bridge I put in at one point in place of a duck-under right now. I may revisit that later, but having a bridge with 5 tracks on two levels... would be interesting to do for sure.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 10, 2010
  5. D-Rio

    D-Rio TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice. I was just looking over that track plan last night. I like the interchange.

    I will be watching your progress.
     
  6. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    I had all of this week off from work, so spent nearly all that time building the benchwork for the new layout.


    The benchwork is 1x45 open grid frames with 2x2 legs. The legs were a lesser quality wood than the framing, so I wanted to paint them to help seal them up. I simply used what paint I had on hand. Used one color until I ran out, then moved on to the next. So that's why I have three different color legs. :)


    [​IMG] [​IMG][​IMG]


    As of this morning, all I left to do is level each module section at it's location and then clamp and bolt them all together. Once that is completed, then it is on to installing the staging yard.
     
  7. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Here we are on Draft 8 of the layout plan.


    Primary reason for the revision was to add back in a left out section. They layout height has to be 40" and duck-under just won't work that low. So I updated staging to be one larger yard before it goes back down to a single track for the left out section.


    On the main line, I...

    • Removed the Interstate Oil and Sunrise Feed spurs for cost reduction (2 less kits, turnouts and switch machines to buy)
    • Removed the 2nd turnout on the Metro line station tracks
    • Added two platforms on the mainline above the Metro station for use an an Amtrak stop. So it'll be a combined station.
    • Added yard offices at the Interchange tracks. The short siding will be modeled as a on-main fuel stop/crew change point.
    • Repositioned Superior Paper Mill
    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  8. upguy

    upguy TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like it is coming along nicely.
     
  9. mcjaco

    mcjaco TrainBoard Member

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    The link to the Wisconsin Central plan isn't working. I've been looking for that plan for a while.

    Do you still have it?
     
  10. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    I fixed the link.

    If you subscribe to Model Railroader, the plan is also located in Track Plan Database.
     
  11. mcjaco

    mcjaco TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks! I live just south of Leighton, so that plan has always interested me. And I ride it everyday to and from work.

    Great start on your layout. Can't wait to see more.
     
  12. CraigN

    CraigN TrainBoard Supporter

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    You are coming along very nicely on your layout. Great job with the benchwork.

    Craig
     
  13. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Just working on tweaking up the mainline industrial spurs some more. I liked the suggestion of an Ethanol plant by commenter Marc at my blog, so I put in a spot for one. Here's the latest plan.


    [​IMG]


    For a look at the town boundaries, click here.​
     
  14. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Looking good! :)

    Is there a reason the Metro lines are not connected to the mainline? All I see is a crossing.
     
  15. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    The original MRR plan left metro line separate so I followed that. The idea is the train will disappear at the top right (tree line? Tunnel? Etc...) as it goes off to "elsewhere".

    I have been kind of pondering about removing that isolated line and putting the station on the mainline.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2010
  16. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    Just working on a possible new draft of the mainline. The primary change on this one is the removal of the Metro line.


    [​IMG]


    The Amtrak station and platforms have been moved to the center section, and the Metro station area will be turned into a UP car shop area.

    I've been looking into basing the layout on a real world subdivision, and removing the Metro line made that a little easier. The layout would be a more "Protolanced" than freelanced with this change. The subdivision and towns will be real world locations, but the industries and what not will be made up (along with the Interchange to another railroad, presently BNSF).

    The current plan is adapt the layout on UP's DeSoto subdivision. It runs between St Louis, MO and Poplar Bluff, MO. Amtrak's Texas Eagle runs along this route between San Antonio and Chicago, and UP has a car shop in De Seto. The Amtrak station is further down line at Poplar Bluff, but I'll have to move it to De Soto. Or make it an Amtrak car shop in Poplar Bluff.... hmm.

    So I'll be working on those details shortly, so look for a name change soon for the layout.
     
  17. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    This weekend I worked on getting a backdrop installed. I had a bunch of 1x2 wood stakes lying around, so I cut them to size and attached them to the backside of the benchwork frame.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    I then attached 1/8" masonite hardboard to the supports. I decided to go with a 12" high backdrop for around the sides of the layout. Just enough to add a little blue sky and something to anchor scenery and backdrop buildings to.

    The backdrop is also cut to length for each other modular section. I'll probably use some gorilla tape behind each seam to hold them together and fill with a little vinyl spackling. That way each module is still removable from the others. with a little breaking of the joint compound.

    [​IMG]

    Next step is to paint the backdrop.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 19, 2010
  18. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    The last few weeks I've been working on the staging yard for the layout, and last night I glued down the final pieces of track for the yard.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    It's a 7 yard track (Mainline + 6 Ladders) with #7 turnouts.

    Work to follow is:
    - Drop power feeders for each track
    - Add a safety rail for the inside track to keep things from meeting the floor
    - Install servo switch machines
    - Build turnout control panel
     
  19. mcjaco

    mcjaco TrainBoard Member

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    I never understood that part of the plan....Well, I do as it's local to me and that's how it's really laid out, but it seemed kind of boring and pointless. I'd have added an interchange track, to at least be able to swap out cars on the mainline, with cars being shuttled off and on the Metro line. It'd make that line a little more interesting to work.
     
  20. nolatron

    nolatron TrainBoard Member

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    A quick peak at the staging yard control panel in its' early stage of construction.

    [​IMG]

    Image link will take you to Vimeo where the video can be watched
     

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