Not long ago I posted this photo with the suggestion to stay tuned:
I mentioned that I've been working on an extension through Germany on the layout that threads through some benchwork and onto a new shelf in an adjoining storage room. The switch had been installed during construction 20 years ago with the aim of eventually doing this. The hole in the wall, the subroadbed extension to incorporate this, and the shelf are now finished, and track has been extended onto the new shelf in the storage room. Here are photos of the power test:
The shelf is 85 inches by 12 inches, Celotex laminated onto 3/4 inch plywood, mounted on shelf brackets. I will be using Kato HO Unitrack for the whole project. This has several advantages. As I get older, my hands shake more, and laying flex track is getting harder. In addition, the curves will be Unitrack 14-9/16 inch radius, their minimum. Unitrack is so solid and stable that this will minimize operational problems with curves this sharp. I wouldn't trust my ability to bend flex track smoothly to this radius, and given expansion and contraction, shrinkage of roadbed due to humidity and so forth, the results would be unpredictable anyhow.
Also, the Unitrack switch machines are incorporated into the roadbed, so they're invisible, but there's no need to fiddle with installing and wiring Tortoises under the baseboard. Again, as I get older, I'm less and less inclined to want to work under baseboards or shelves. Over the years, I've found that 15-inch radius (or in the case of Unitrack, 14-9/16) will work at low speeds with GP and RS locos and 40- and 50-foot cars with no trouble. This is a branch line!
Here's the tentative plan for what will be on the shelf:
My NCE radio cab works in the storage room.
As long as you can enjoy your trains, do what works best for you! I do like the track plan, should be fun to operate.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on completing the expansion! Sticking with the geeps / RS units and 40-50' cars should work out fine. I like the track plan also. What's the expansion going to be primarily used for? A new industry? Staging?
ReplyDeleteThere will be new industries on the shelf, thinking hard about a cheese factory, an indusry still common in the San Joaquin Valley. The curve in lower right will connect to an existing micro layout/shelf that will be relocated to connect with this extension.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan John. That San Joaquin Gold Cheese sells for $65.00 on Amazon. Ralph's Grocery Warehouse and the Terminal Cold Storage & Warehouse would gladly enjoy having some of the valley's cheeses shipped east for local distribution.
ReplyDeleteI left out the word pound. $65.00 a pound for the San Joaquin Gold. But it says Free Shipping!
DeleteLooks like some fun expansion for the layout. A cheese factory would be a good compliment to the growing dairy business on the layout.
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