Layout Update Mondays: Rail Anchors

Adding rail anchors to the Atlas O scale track.

For the last week, I've been waiting for cork roadbed to arrive so that I can start working on the layout.  In the mean time, I've started doing some prep work on the track which arrived last week.

For the layout, I decided to use Atlas O code 148 two rail O scale track. I've used this in the past and I've really come to like this product. It has a lot of detail built in with tie plates and molded on spikes.  I've found that with a little work and paint, the track starts to look really good.

One of the details I like to add to improve the look of the Atlas O track are rail anchors. These are seldom modeled but a study of prototype track will find these everywhere. Back in college, I worked as a trackman and one of my first jobs was to remove and then re-attach rail anchors when working on a tie replacement project. After that back breaking experience, I can no longer look at track and not see them!

Rail Anchors on the prototype.

To add this detail, I sketched up a model in CAD and then had about 500 rail anchors 3D printed at Shapeways using Frosted Ultra Detail Plastic. I've been adding a set of four every fifth tie.  It will be a while before they are all installed, painted, and weathered - but I did build a diorama about a year ago which shows the finished look I am hoping to achieve with the layout.

Now back to work...99 rail anchors on the rail, 99 rail anchors on the rail...pick one up and knock it on, 100 rail anchors on the rail...

Diorama showing completed track work.

Wordless Wednesday: Special Delivery

Layout Update Mondays: Benchwork Rehab

Preparing to paint the underside of the benchwork.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I am reusing several old modules to build the new O scale layout.  This has involved a bit of demolition over the last week and now it is time to move on to the repair phase. Included in this process is a bit of sanding and paint.

Whenever I build modules, I like to paint every square inch of benchwork. There are two reasons for this. First, sealing the lumber slows the expansion and contraction process every portable model railroad suffers during a show. Going to the Springfield show is a prime example of why this is important. As an example, this layout will go from my heated shop (around 65-70F) into a cold vehicle - which may be close to 10-20F during the end of January. During the drive to the show it will heat up a bit and go into a cool building - probably around 60F. As more exhibitors and the public enters the buildings over the course of the weekend, the humidity will rise along with the temperature. After the show, the modules will go back into a cold car then into the heated shop. This tends to be an extreme and quick temperature and humidity cycle. This causes the benchwork to shrink and swell causing us to have to make setup adjustments all weekend long - otherwise we'd have all kinds of derailment issues.  As a club, we found that painting the modules limits how often these adjustments need to happen to maybe once - worst case twice - over the course of the weekend.

The second reason I like to paint the undersides of the modules is simply a matter of maintenance. It is easy to label wires on a light color paint and if something goes wrong during a show, the lighter color paint makes it easier to see what is going on underneath the layout. Depending on the material used for benchwork, if left unpainted, it can be a bit dark on the underside of the layout making repairs more difficult.

Now back to the shop to paint...

Wordless Wednesdays: Rail Anchors

Layout Update Mondays: Operations

Track Capacity Chart for the Tribute to Springfield layout.

While benchwork is well underway, I decided for this week's update to give a sneak peak at what the final use of this project will be.  The operational scenario for the layout revolves around delivering box cars of exhibitor displays for the show. The setup for the scenario is as follows:

• Young Building Loading Dock - Two Box Cars - One to be switched out, One to be Re-spotted
• Slide Loading Dock - One Box Car - One to be switched out
• Interchange Track - Two Box Cars - One car to be spotted at Young Building, One Car to be spotted at the Slide Loading Dock
• Locomotive is parked at the MOW area at the bottom right hand corner of the layout.

The only real rule to keep in mind is that no cars can be left on the grade crossing. Stopping to uncouple the locomotive on a grade crossing is ok.

Think you can handle the challenge?

Layout Update Mondays: Demolition Day

Re-purposing the HO Scale Maintenance of Way module.

Benchwork destruction - err - construction has begun!  In order to save myself some money, I have decided to re-purpose three of my HO scale modules for the new layout.  These included the 2'x4' HO Scale Tribute to Springfield module as well as the HO Scale Maintenance of Way module set. I was very happy with how both had come out but since I don't have unlimited space, re-using these modules will allow my shop to be a little bit more comfortable to work around. In addition, this new layout will really be my module set for the next couple of years. These other two modules would have just been set aside for storage anyway. This way, they are still in use and the parts can be saved for a new HO module is a few years...now back to work...

Exhibitor Thursdays: Southern New England O Scalers

The Southern New England O Scalers. Photo by Rob Dennis. Used with permission.

Exhibitor Spotlight Name: Southern NE O Scalers Years at the Show: 1991-2013 Display Style: Modular Layout Type: Model Railroad Club Size: 33'x81' Past Location: Better Living Center Home Location: Gardner, MA Website: SNEMRR

In many ways, the Southern New England O Scalers owe their existence to the Railroad Hobby Show. According to the club's history, the Amherst Railway Society approached one of the members of the club about building an O scale (two rail) modular layout for the 1991 edition of the show. A small group was put together and a basic layout was readied for that first show in 1991.

The club’s 33'x81' modular layout featured a double track mainline with large 80 inch radius curves. The perimeter of the layout included some dramatic scenes like a large curved bascule bridge spanning a canyon which reached the floor. In addition a number of small industries and a station scene were all available for close up inspection by the viewing public. Over the years, the layout grew and expanded to include a yard and massive engine terminal which were show stoppers. These features were unique in at they were built as peninsulas on the interior of the layout which kept them close to the operators and a bit away from viewers. The layout was also full signaled and controlled through a Digital Command Control (DCC) system.

At the 2009 National Train Show in Hartford, CT, the layout took home Best in Show honors along with the Chairman’s Award. In addition, the club also hosted several O Scale National Convention where the layout was prominently featured.

After the 2013 show, the club decided to retire the modular layout and focus on building a permanent club layout at their home in Gardner, MA. The award winning modular layout was put up for sale and is currently no longer displayed at the show.

To learn more about the club, visit: http://www.snemrr.org/index.html

*Also, thanks to Rob Dennis and the Thursday Night Round Robin for permission to use the photo above.