Amen and amen. I'd like to think that doing the same thing 20 years ago I would have ended up with a home layout, but then it would have isolated me a great deal. Modules have their limitation, but oh the fun of getting 'together' in more than one way. Long live modules.
Haha. It's written by the guy who builds modules without acknowledging any limits, but the size of his garage. Seriously, Z-Bend Track modules can be designed as components of a home layout, bolted to permanently installed members. On a home layout, the interface to connect to a module, an accurate and fully detailed transition can be relatively easily achieved. Another advantage of this concept is the easier access to work on any part of the layout. When getting bored for being a lone ranger and need a little bit of social life, just unbolt the modules and join the happy crowd.
MrC&B, No worries. We all have our days. You should see some of the posts that I have written out over the years and then canceled before posting. This is a good group here. These guys are among the best Z-scalers out there. I spend a fair amount of time lurking here (I am an N-scaler primarily) because the atmosphere is helpful, the attitudes are can-do, and the modeling is excellent. Adam
About running helpers, what I read here and there was that everybody wanting to undergo reliable operations have to go DCC. And then, such as the prototype before DPUs, one crew for road engine set, and one crew for helper engine set....:tb-wink: Dom
Lajos, sometimes I think I need a semi truck to solve my transportation issues going to shows. I can build easier than I can haul to the shows. Well, in three weeks, Karin's boys will be moving to Alaska after graduation. As you know we plan to move our operation downstairs to the two spare rooms we'll then have. That leaves the upstairs empty and we will then move our modules upstairs for a more or less permanent home when not taking them to shows. My dream is to eventually have a nucleus of Z scalers in this area and make our family room our train meeting hangout. Play with trains, work on them in the shop, watch train videos, and of course eat some yummies. I want to see this become the 'hangout' for any Z scalers who may be passing through or just want a place to 'play' with trains. I normally don't get that big a kick out of remodeling, but this is one time I think it will be more fun than work.
Accidental DPU helper. At the train show this past weekend, my lead locomotive broke free and made its way around to the back of the train while I wasn't watching. It was working well as a helper and everything stayed on the rail. I put it back on the point though. 'Didn't want to press my luck. (It was about a 25 car train.)
...and don't forget those vertical supports are holding up your living room floor. You don't want TOO MUCH remodeling.... ...don
Are you building an elevator to carry your monster modules up and down? If not, I bet, you'll have all kind of excuses to skip train shows. I have hard time to imagine, you're walking down the narrow staircase with your "handy little pieces".
True! I built a 4' x 4' module and it is a pain in the *@$ to get up and down the stairs. The bridge module is smaller but it is heavy. I didn't want 2' of bridge to flex and bend so it is very sturdy. bh
True Lajows, Those modules are not fun to move. I probably will only do about two shows a year at max. The Medford show and the NTS next year are on the radar for us.
I think it is time to think about building modules with engineering know how instead of brute strength. Create the spine of your module with light plywood like 1/8 stuff and glue or laminate blue or pink foam between the spine pieces for strength and then laminate or glue a vaneer piece of plywood around the outside edge for a finished look and machine a piece of aluminum to bolt to the spline for you interface and clamping to the next module. Insert plastic tubing as the socket for your legs made from aluminum tubing with screw bottoms or sliding inner with locking collar. We should be able to build 2 x 4 ft section that can easily be lifted by one person using these methods. In the Nn3 group they even built folding 2x4 foot units that would fold in half or 2 x 2 and could be transported on an aircraft as luggage. (Tom Knapp and Bruce Hunt did this and there have been other articles on light weight construction) Got to think outside the box and quit building these heavy modules that are so hard to move around and set up. I know it was the N-trak way but it does not have to be the Z-way. Clear lumber is hard to find and is subject to warping over time with changes in humidity and temperature. Engineered products reduce this problem. Yes a bit more work in assembly and you need some jigs to get and keep your 90 degree corners but I think well worth the effort. cheerz Garth For covers to facilitate transport consider 3 ply box board or similar material.
