A group of model railroad enthusiasts discussing and sharing all aspects of micro/small model railroading.
Friday, December 28, 2012
The Car Shop Build Part 1
I have been mulling around a few ideas based on the HO scale car shop track plan I posted to this site back in April. I have redesigned the plan, but it could change while I'm building this micro layout. Version 1.1 included two turnouts, but I have removed these in version 1.2.
The layout is 1' x 4' with a hidden traverser track for switching and fiddling cars on and off the layout. I will be using a highway overpass to hide the entrance tracks to the traverser.
I have laid out the structure base and some flex track pieces on top of the layout base. This base is made from foam board pieces I had on hand. The two white foam pieces are from Woodland Scenics (12" x 24"). The WS foam pieces are pinned down to the foam base, and they will be used as a guide for cutting off excess foam from the base. Using the foam base and T-pins will allow me to try out the track arrangement before committing to a final plan. I will also be using code 100 track since I have a ton of this on hand.
The track plan will be finalized before moving on to Part 2. I also need to start building the car shop.
Until next time,
Tom
Monday, December 3, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
How-To Link Resource
Building the General Rope & Wire Co
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
An APA Box Layout You Can Build: Generic Mills, Inc.
Research—The Theme of the Layout
A visit to my collection of Model Railroad Planning magazines led me to an article in the 1999 issue written by Linda Sand [p. 66-71]. Her article is about modular layout design featuring large industrial scenes. The design for a flour mill caught my eye. The section on the flour mill details the operation of a flour mill, and also includes an illustration that lists the purpose of each track.
Track Planning
Generic Mills, Inc. Track Plan:
(The fiddle yard includes a one track traverser (area in dark red) with access to all tracks.)
Here is a concept sketch of the plan:
(The concept sketch is not to scale, but is a visualization of the track plan. It does not include the fiddle track.)
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Blog Page Update
The Micro Model Railroad Cartel Blog will now include small model railroad content as well as micro layout content. There are no "hard and fast" rules on layout size, but the size of the layout should fall under one of the following guidelines:
- Micro Layouts: No larger than 4 square feet.
- Small Layouts: No larger than 24 square feet.
I am also looking for volunteers who would be interesting in writing blog posts and/or creating track plans. If you are interested, please e-mail me at: otmodelrr [at] gmail [dot] com
Thank you!
Tom
[Admin]
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Micro Track Plan: The Car Shop
Here is a basic drawing of a micro track plan to fit a one foot by four foot space.
The traverser could be hidden within another structure by using DPM or Walthers Modular components. A backdrop could also be used to hide the front of the traverser and a highway overpass to mask the traverser's entrance/exit tracks. Cars/locos can be fiddled off of the layout within the hidden traverser or you could use a cassette(s) on either end of the front track.
Track Plan Note: Traverser track is 14 inches long. Car shop tracks are a little over 11 inches long.
Feel free to modify this plan to suit your needs.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
APA Box Model Railroading
Once again I make a foray into the blogosphere. This time I'm finally coming clean about my experiment with the APA box.
You will be able to follow that blog here I do hope that you'll stop by.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Crisis of Confidence
Sunday, March 4, 2012
APA Box update
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
New Podcast Episode Featuring the Micro Model RR Cartel
Click on link(s) below to access:
Podbean
iTunes
[UPDATED ON 3/5/2012]
Part 2 is now available for download!
Part 3 is now available for download.
Can't wait? Get the full version (Parts 1, 2, and 3 combined) at TerminalTalk's Internet Archive web page. Click here for the full version.
Monday, February 20, 2012
APA Progress
Friday, February 17, 2012
A Link to Dave Frary's Blog Page
Trackside Scenery by Dave Frary
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A flurry of progress
Friday, February 3, 2012
Micro Model Railroad Cartel News
Note: If you are not on Google+ and would like to join, feel free to e-mail Tom at:
otmodelrr [at] gmail [dot] com
and he will send you an invite to join.
Thanks!
The Micro Model Railroad Cartel
Monday, January 16, 2012
Layout Progress but no new name yet.
Any way there is solid progress to report. You can read about it and see all the pictures on the RMWeb blog for the layout
Sunday, January 8, 2012
City Dreams Some progress
I really will have to come up with a new name though.
Monday, January 2, 2012
APA Box Layout Design
This HO track plan is based on an actual industry located in my neck of the woods. Piramal Glass manufacturers glass containers. Covered hoppers are used to bring in silica sand to the plant. The glass containers are shipped out by truck. No other rolling stock is used at the plant. The industrial spur continues on to a rail container loading/unloading facility, but that facility is currently not in use. Piramal Glass also stores covered hoppers on this spur. Rail service is provided by Union Pacific. The plant uses a Trackmobile to move cars around the facility. The glass plant is located on the site of an old lead mining facility.
Flat River Glass, the former name of the glass plant, is my take on the prototype. The traverser tables are used to move cars on and off the layout. The track to the front can be used for storing extra covered hoppers on the visible part of the layout. The tailing pile is a remnant from the lead mining days. It is used as a view block.
APA Box: 27.5”L x 14”W (approximate)
Traverser/Staging Track: 14”L
Backdrop: Photo or Painted
Feel free to change this track plan as you see fit!
Tom
City Dreams construction blog
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/171/entry-8273-new-year-new-start/
In addition I recommend that if you haven't already do sone. You should take a look at the whole RMWeb community. A combination of blogs, forums, articles, competitions and home of the "Modelling Inspiration" pdf magazine. You might even want to join up...
APA Box Layout Design
I borrowed Ian's idea of using a boxcar as a view block for the left side of the layout. The structure on the right serves as a view block for the right side. The backside of a roundhouse is used as a background structure.
The modeler could create a highly detailed scene with lots of castings and figures, as well as rolling stock in various states of disrepair/repair. The Inglenook design allows operations as well. A small switcher (70 ton or less) will work, but an HO scale Trackmobile* would be even better.
Additional Details:
APA Box: 27.5”L x 14”W (approximate)
Cassette/Staging Track: 14”L
Backdrop: Photo or Painted
As always, feel free to modify this plan. If you do, be sure to share it with us!!
Tom
*Web link provided for information only. Not intended as an endorsement from myself and/or the Micro Model Railroad Cartel.
City Dream re-imagined - Visualised!
I think it does. I won't be using a three storey building on the left. It dominates too much. It should only be two. Otherwise I think its very workable.