MRH $500 Contest - 5
save weight, I now switch to ½ x 2s. I cut two at 29” long and
place them at the 12” and 48” long locations (colored in pink
on figure 2). Now comes the tricky part, allowing for the over
and underpass. I have determined that the underpass will
only go down by one inch to keep the grade down to ten per-
cent. We will use foam for the ramps and to get to the 1 ¼”
rise for the bridge over the underpass. This keeps a lot of the
framework simple. To allow for the 1” duck under, the “I” sec-
tion that is on the diagonal should be secured with the top of
this framework 1” lower than the top of the zero or the rest
of the module (colored in yellow on figure 2). This permits the
down-grade to be just after the switches that will allow for
future expansion (toward the inside of the module). After the
framework indicated by the green, pink and yellow lines has
been installed, the remaining dark black lines should be cut
and installed with the tops at the zero level (these will also be
½” x 2” pieces) of framework.
When assembling the benchwork, I will pre-drill the holes,
including a countersink to prevent the wood from splitting.
All joints will also be glued. The glue will provide most of the
strength, with the screws holding everything into place while
the clue sets. The luan top, and ½” x 2” crossbracing will work
together to keep the module straight and prevent warping.
Assembly will take place on a flat surface, either a flat base-
ment floor or a work table.
Trackage
For this project we looked at several types of track for the lay-
out but, decided to use Atlas code 83 flex track (concrete rail
ties) for the private right-of-way and Proto:87 Stores “Electric
Avenue” street track system.
On the track plan, we show a four-track rail yard, that is for a
planned future expansion, but not for the initial layout. The
remainder of the track plan is for the initial build including the
turnout for the yard. We would purchase Electric Avenue track
with the six turnouts, a complete double oval kit, transition
track, alignment pins, electrical Flat Wiring, and extra straight
and curve sections of track from Proto 87 stores for $147 and
a few sections of Atlas code 83 flex track with concrete rail ties
for approximately $20.
Surface Modeling
The surface will be made out of foam which will be carved to
create the different elevation changes.
2: Benchwork framework for the layout.
2
MRH-Aug 2013
