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Post by Curn on Jul 29, 2012 2:53:01 GMT -5
As I hinted in my other post, I have decided to build a new 2'x4' Z scale layout to replace my current layout. The layout will be themed around Central California, however it is not intended to resemble any one location. It will just have golden rolling hills with oak trees on them. I will post my progress as it is made, however don't expect the progress to be too rapid. As with many layouts, even small ones, it may take years to get it to a finished state. After much planing and testing, I have come up with a new track plan using Rokuhan track. The origins of my new track plan are the track plans on David K. Smith's James River Branch Blog ( jamesriverbranch.net/plans.htm). My new layout will be a modified version of the Grey River & Northern plan ( jamesriverbranch.net/plan_16.htm). My plan has been mirrored, and I found a way to maintain a 220mm minimum radius throughout (as opposed to 195mm). I have also decided to contour the terrain so that the center divider will be a hill, and the tunnels will be eliminated. Below is the track plan. It allows for a long continuous run, as well as some switching.  Note: The gray line is the approximate location of a road. Here is a link to the mainline plan with parts labeled for anyone who wants to reproduce it. All unlabeled parts are either turnouts, unmodified straight sections, or 490mm radius 13 degree curves. www.sonnet.com/usr/curn/coll/gra220/GRA220.pngTo test the new track plan before I started ordering supplies, I built a 1/5th scale mock up of the layout. This was very helpful in determining where industries should be placed and how the terrain should be shaped. There will be a long two section bridge, which will be a short girder bridge followed by a Pratt truss bridge. 1/5 Scale Model of the Layout:   Its not too late to comment on the track plan, and propose changes. Let me know If you think something is a bad idea. |
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Post by ztrack on Jul 29, 2012 8:59:19 GMT -5
Curn, the mock up look great! Just two suggestions. In the upper left corner, you may want to consider putting in a tunnel. The would sort of frame in the layout. You have hills on the right corners, and a hill on the upper right would frame in the layout, create an interesting visual of the train going into the tunnel, plus gives you a little more height.
I love yard space. I would love to see if you could add another track at the front of the layout for train storage.
Rob
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Jul 29, 2012 19:46:59 GMT -5
That mock up looks great! Well done. What track will you be using?
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Post by jamestraction on Jul 30, 2012 0:44:40 GMT -5
Curn,
I love the scale model idea. Well Done. ;D
It looks like on the right side, outer track, the grade is pretty steep. Maybe a little more gradual grade would help your locos out?
Joes,
Curn mentioned he was using Rokuhan track in the first posting.
-JamesTraction
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Post by Curn on Jul 30, 2012 2:19:50 GMT -5
Rob, I tried to fit in a third yard track, but there really isn't room for it with the current plan. I could move the inner loop up a little to make room for it, however it causes so many problems with the rest of the plan that I would have to use flex track to fix it. (not an impossibility) I'm still working on this variant to see if I can include everything without running trains on edge of the layout. I could also connect the inside and outside loops, allowing more operational possibilities. With the loops connected I could keep a continuous running train going on one, while switching can be done done on the other. I have added a tunnel to the mock up to see how it looks and changed the hill slightly to make room for buildings. These changes do help keep the two sides divided better.  Joe, Most of the track will be Rokuhan. The bridges will be done with a roadbed-less flex track (probably Marklin to match tie spacing). James. Grades have been calculated out to be 2%. Your observation may be because one track is +2% while the other is -2% giving a total of 4% between the two. The other possibility is poor construction on the mock up. |
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Post by ztrack on Jul 30, 2012 9:01:32 GMT -5
Curn, I love the mock up of the tunnel. The visual of the tunnel and cut is excellent. There will be some good train watching at that spot.
I see what you mean about the extra tight. It is tight.
Rob
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Post by gyroflyer on Jul 31, 2012 3:31:18 GMT -5
Looks great Curn. Can't wait to see final results.
Mark
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Post by Curn on Aug 2, 2012 0:23:36 GMT -5
Step 1: Make room for a new layout. Out with the old, and In with the new I have always been space limited, which is why I stick with 2'x4' layouts. For my last two layouts, I built a common bench-work, and then had different “tops†for each layout. This was my solution when I was trying to figure out if I wanted to model N scale or Z scale. That way I could use both my N and Z scale layouts in the same space. Both DC and AC power is provided to the layout from the bench-work via a Cat-5 cable. The Old Layout:  This makes removing of the old layout easy. Just disconnect one cable and store it in the garage on top of the N scale layout I haven't used in years. This Z scale layout is only 8.8 pounds which makes switching layouts easy. The Blank Bench-Work:  The old layout had several problems. Some turnouts never worked right from the beginning. The track was painted and ballasted poorly. Foam grass rather than static grass. A very long tunnel with poor access, making rail cleaning impossible in some sections, and now there are many stalls in those areas. Weak under track magnets for magnetic uncoupling. 4% grades. I'm sure there are some others. |
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Post by Curn on Aug 2, 2012 0:28:51 GMT -5
Step 2: Building a new base for the layout. Done. American Easel LLC makes a wooden 24â€x48†(Actual 23 7/8" x 47 15/16") Cradled Painting Panel which will make a good base to build on. Its sturdy and lightweight. Best of all, I don't have to do any woodworking. My last layout was built on a per-stretched canvas which is also a good solution If you can find a perfectly straight and level one. Top:  Bottom Bracing:  |
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Aug 5, 2012 16:05:03 GMT -5
That is a neat idea you have for sure. Very well thought out.
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Post by upmike on Sept 12, 2012 20:10:22 GMT -5
Nice lookin' layout Curn
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Post by Curn on Sept 13, 2012 20:06:02 GMT -5
I have been working slowly on this project over the last month. Most of the work has been gathering supplies, and building some of the more necessary parts. So far I have spent $827.96 on the layout which includes shipping and taxes. This covers many of the supplies I need to get started, all of the track, and the bridges. I still need to buy all the buildings, some ground cover, and supplies for all the electrical stuff. This is going to be the final track plan:  Ive also been building up the bridges that will be used. Ive decided to use micron art bridges for both bridges. The short one was an easy build, and I am starting work on the long Pratt truss bridge.  I started by building up some of the base layers of Styrofoam. Many people don't care for Styrofoam, as it is quite messy to build with, but its nothing a vacuum cant handle, and is available in my area in convenient 2'x4' sheets. The whole layout sits on a 2” Styrofoam sheet which is the lowest Elevation point on the mainline. Then a 3/4” (0.8” actual) foam sheet raises the line to the elevation of the main yard. A third 3/4” sheet was used to raise the line to the level of the bridges. The total elevation change is ~1.6”. All the grades were carefully hand cut from the Styrofoam.   I then went to work on all of the track. Many of the parts required custom cuts. This was true for almost all of the turnouts, as each needed the roadbed modified to fit together, as is expected with the Rokuhan products. Also I had to cut several custom sized track pieces, like the 6.5 degree, 220mm radius curved section shown below. The tutorials on the James River Branch blog were very helpful in showing how this is done.  Once all the little parts were cut, the track was assembled, and now I'm testing the whole thing to make sure all the turnouts and sections work well together.   Time to start carving all that foam and making a mess. |
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Sept 15, 2012 22:15:58 GMT -5
Looks great. Your cuts are flawless. Great work.
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Post by chris333 on Sept 23, 2012 23:54:42 GMT -5
Great layout. Keep posting progress!
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Post by catt on Sept 24, 2012 8:34:36 GMT -5
Very nice little layout you have coming together.It's nice to see that I am not the only one who cuts track to fit where I want it to go.I have done just that on both my Z layout (MTL track)and my old N scale TTRAK modules (KATO Uni-track).
By the way my Z layout started as a 2' x 4' and is now 5'8" long I have no clue as to the real radius of my curves beyond that they are as large as I could get them.
When I build a new layout it will be secional and use Rokuhan track and bridges.The reason for sectional is I take it to local shows (50 mile radius)and I really want a bigger layout.
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