I’ve been catching up on e-mail this evening, and in one of the Yahoo!Groups I read, someone posted a link to the modeling of Troels Kirk — a Swede modeling Maine. Truly amazing work. See for yourself.
There’s also a discussion thread on the Railroad Line forums.
But wait! There’s more! YouTube videos!
I’ve added a page detailing what may be the locomotive roster for my Corinna & Searsport Railroad. As with most model railroaders, I will have far too many locomotives — certainly more than the little railroad would ever need!
Those of you who visit the site with your iPhone (or iPod Touch or other select mobile device) will notice that the On30 Guy looks like many of your other apps. And, the site will load faster, because you won’t have to wait for pictures and all of the body text to load (especially important for 2G users!). You’ll still be able to see any posting you want by tapping its title. All of the pages are accessed from the drop-down at the top of the page. Cool.
With some decisions made about the new layout design (overall size and shape), it’s time to get down to serious planning.
First up, I decided that I’m going to give another go at using the computer for layout design. That meant choosing a CAD program of some sort that would run on the Mac. While I already have imaging and illustration software, as good as it is, it doesn’t work well for layout design. I also determined that a generic CAD application would be problematic, as I would have to “teach” it all about track before I could even think about designing a model railroad — something I just don’t have the time for.
Empire Express screen shot courtesy Haddon Software
Some time ago, I had looked into track planning software for MacOS, and found that there were basically two options. After re-installing the demo versions of each, I settled on Empire Express, from Haddon Software. While there are a couple of features I would like that are “missing” from the application (specifically, automatic yard ladders and bezier curves), I like the way the software handles most situations. I’ve included a new screen shot of the software here, since I recently discovered I boogered up the previous ones (they could only be seen on a Mac!).
As mentioned previously, some of the design criteria have already been set — benchwork height and overall layout size, for instance. Minimum radius is still up for discussion. I am waiting on a response from Victor Models in the UK regarding the suggested minimum radius for their SR&RL #19 model, and I also need to do some testing with the Bachmann Forneys (the railroad will have three of these in operation). I’m hearing and seeing conflicting information regarding their operation. Bachmann claims that the Forneys will go around a 22″ radius curve with a train in tow, and at least one reviewer has confirmed that it worked. However, we occasionally had problems on the 26″ radius curves of the MADModules/Berrett Hill specs (although there may have been other reasons for some of those problems — they weren’t so bad the last time we had the modules set up). I’m hoping that I can make the curves be 26″ radius or less.
Keg Harbour terminus
I’m also still hoping to be able to incorporate a version of the “Keg Harbour” plan into the layout, along with 8-feet of the yard modules. However, both eat up a lot of space, and this is, at present, going to be a very small railroad. Converting those items into “modules” within Empire Express will be an “early” order of business. That will also give me some opportunity to practice some with the software and gauge its accuracy.
On30 version of the Victors Scale Models SR&RL #19 kit. Photo from Victors Scale Models web site.
Stumbling around the internet this evening, I found this — an On30 brass kit to make Sandy River & Rangely Lakes 2-6-2 #19. I’m very seriously considering ordering one of these, even though I need another locomotive like I need another hole in my head. The kit looks beautifully designed, and it’s set-up for sound from the start. I can see only one detail I would change — the headlight (and of course, that would mean having to add a generator).
More info can be found on the Victors Scale Models web site. At £245 (post paid), it ain’t cheap. But wow! What a beautiful model it makes….
With the complete dispensation of The On30 Guy Store, I’ve reverted this site to being an On30-specific model railroading blog. All of the “store-front” content has been removed, leaving only the content relating to the actual design and construction of a model railroad.
A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT ON30GUY PICKUP WIPERS
Pickup wipers for the Bachmann On30 Shay are no longer available.
They have been out of production and I have no plans to produce them again.Pickup wipers for the Bachmann On30 Mogul Tender are no longer available.
They have been out of production and I have no plans to produce them again.These items were discontinued due to a marked increase
in the cost of manufacturing.Please do not ask for copies of the designs for these items.
They are not readily available and I am not at this time
inclined to do the work necessary to provide them.PLEASE DO NOT ASK ABOUT THESE ITEMS
After perusing the latest Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette, I’ve started to re-evaluate my plans for the layout. I’ve decided, for now, to limit the size of the railroad to something that could be started here, and possibly fit into a more-or-less standard room size should we decide to move. Consideration will be given to possible “expansion joints” — places where the layout could have additional sections inserted should our future hold a home with a larger basement.
So, for now, the layout will be limited to a 10′ x 12′ space, with an additional 1′ x 10′ shelf to serve a quarry. The bottom of the benchwork will be set at 48″ off the floor, and shelving and storage will be provided under the layout, as well as a small work table. If a “standard” table is about 28″ tall, that will leave about 20″ of working space between the table top and the bottom of the benchwork. This arrangement will allow easy access to the outside door to the basement, and will also leave ample room for me to practice keyboard parts for my band, as well as haul my music gear (and layout supplies) in and out of the basement.
The theme of the layout will still be a Maine 2-footer, set in the 30’s, hauling lumber and finished goods from the interior (Corinna) to a sea-port (Searsville Searsport). There will also be reason to move passengers in the form of a resort hotel, and, as mentioned above, a short branch to serve a quarry operation.
I had originally hoped to incorporate my yard modules, but at almost 12′ long and 2′ wide (or 8′ long without the turntable), that’s an awful lot of real estate for a 10′ x 12′ space. So, it may be that the modules don’t get included. Instead, they could be stored under the layout, or possibly abandoned altogether (frankly, the modular thing is a real pain in the nuts, and I really don’t know if I have the time or inclination any longer).
So, there it is for now … the plan.
I haven’t really spent a lot of time discussing the particulars of the construction of the yard modules. Basically, I commented that I’d designed it, and then that I’d half built it, and then it was pretty much built. So, here’s a little “back story” to help to explain a problem that I’ve encountered.
Some years ago, I happened across a web article about someone who was working with foamcore to build the “benchw0rk” and sub-roadbed for a portable layout. I thought that sounded like a good idea, and store it away in the back of my mind for future use. In laying out the yard module, and in keeping with MADModules specs, I used cork roadbed under the track — mostly. I realized that the cork and a sheet of regular foamcore are the same thickness. So, rather than use lots and lots of cork strips in the body of the yard, I thought I would just lay out a big sheet of foamcore, like this:
Corinna Yard under construction, showing foamcore "roadbed" before scenicing.
Looks like a great idea, right? Well, not so much.
As I mentioned the other day, the moisture from a re-scenicing session has caused the top layer of the foamcore to warp, leaving a visible “edge” all the way around. You can see a bit of that in the next picture.
Corinna Station placed into platform
With this in mind, what then, is foamcore good for in model railroading? At this point, I’m inclined to think that the uses of the product are fairly limited. The sky-blue colored product is probably fine for backgrounds, and other colors might work for fascias. But I don’t think I’d recommend using any of the paper-backed foamcores for much else in model railroading, as there’s just too much wet stuff involved in building a layout.
There are other “versions” of foamcore — Gator Board has thin styrene sheeting in place of the paper, and there is a version that has thin wood veneer applied. Those products might find more uses. But, I’d still be wary of the glue used to adhere the finish sheet to the foam. If it’s water-based, there might be problems.
A few pictures of our module setup from this year’s Kimberton meet.
Charlie and the gang weren’t able to make it with their modules due to problems with their truck, but we were still able to put up a great layout.
video by Stephen Hussar
Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum — Alna, Maine USA from Stephen Hussar on Vimeo.
Maine Two Footers GW’s On30 Group