Some more module progress

Here are a few pictures to show the small progress I think I'm making out in the shop.

I built eight (!) 2x modules, but Darrell took two, and Cal gets one of these, so only five

are left for me. That's great, because now there are four TTrak-N modelers out here!

I think I'll only need four to start with (and

maybe finish?) so there is a spare. Since I

was going to build so many, I just mass

produced as many as I had material for at

the time. It was much quicker that way.

One saw setup, several passes, and a whole

pile of module kits fall out of the sawdust.

I got to thinking again. Sometimes it just happens. Oh, well. Anyway, it occurred to me that

the high rise buildings on the first of the corner modules would look a bit more imposing if

they were on a raised surface. I looked around the shop and found a scrap piece of 3/4" blue

foam. I cut it to size and shape, and tried a train around it. No good, the cars would scrape

the wall. So, a bit of knife time beveling the slope and the cars now clear fine.

I set the Tomix 4018's on there and looked at it from all sides. I decided the front edge needed

some elevation, too, so another scrap was cut out.

Next, the train was placed in the trench, and given a good look. Something still didn't look

quite right. While I like the low ridge in front of the tracks, it seemed to undo the elevation

of the buildings.

So, a few more foam scraps, and the buildings were elevated another 3/4".

The train was placed back in the trench, and that looked better to me, so this is what I will

go with.

The foam piece will be glued down to the module top, and another piece will be cut to fit on

top of it.

This new piece will have a vertical wall to match the top of the lower piece's outline at the

top of the taper. Since I'm about out of 3/4" foam, the new top piece will probably be 1" thick.

I really like the look from 'pedestrian level' at the base of the buildings.

Finally, I set out to join the two 6x straight modules. Part of the idea for these long modules

is to span between tables. So, they were framed with 1-2" cabinet grade plywood. Even so,

they are fairly light weight, even when handled together. At the last show, we found that,

as separate pieces across a table gap, they were too easily bumped and slid around under

the track. All was new, nothing fastened at the time.

The metal rulers are shown aligned with the

front edge of the front track. Conversations

with the others in the club raised the option

of using them as we did, a 12x long through

yard, or as a pair of 6x stub yards separated

around a layout.

So, I thought about all that, and decided to try this solution. The two sections are bolted

together, when desired, by 1/4"-20 tap bolts. These are the same type I use for the

adjusting feet.

To accommodate the need for track overhang when the modules are separated, and for

snug spacing when joined, I placed a shim plate between the sections. The plate is a piece

of 3/32" ply from the R/C aircraft corner of the LHS.

My plan is to lay track starting from this junction. I will place the initial track joints centered

over the plate. Then, when separated, there is a slight overhang for module joining, and with

the spacer, all can be rigidly bolted tight.

I aligned the modules by standing them on their rear

face, making sure the tops were flush, much like I'd have

to do at a show. Then, after clamping them securely, a

pair of 9/32" holes were drilled through both ends and

the shim plate. Installing a pair of tee-nuts completed

the job. The assembly is rigid, showing no flexing when

handled, and easily picked up by one person.

For tonight, I am storing it on end along one side wall

of my shop.

I still haven't figured out exactly what little landscaping

I'll use. There will be a few structures, but not many.

Currently, I have a Pola single stall brick engine house

and a Stewart diesel servicing facility for fuel, water,

and sand. These will go at one end, where a couple of

stub sidings will be placed. Look at the pictures in a

previous blog for details.

Somewhere along a siding will be a Greenmax car washing station. It'll probably be on the

rearmost, but that's not a given. I may move it in one track for survivability during transport.

More on that in a minute.

At the far end, if I can figure a way to incorporate it, will be a small steam facilities, but that's

in the distant future.

As for transport and storage, I'm going to cut a pair of plywood panels the same width as

the modules (12") and 18" tall. They will be attached with bolts, stacking the two modules.

At 18" tall and just over 72" length, they will fit the bed of my F-150 with the solid cover

closed.

So, that's about it for now. I'm starting to look into the structure kits I stockpiled over the

winter and spring, getting ready for the summer work season while school's out.

Sooo many toys, sooo little time, sooo many honey-do's ...