MRH $500 Contest - 4
not only represent an upgrade in visual detail and mechani-
cal performance, but would also save some money. It also
matches with the ethos of quality-over-quantity, which is an
inherent part of wringing the most out of any small layout.
Wiring and control
Wiring and control can be a pleasure or a chore on any layout.
The difference comes down to making the most appropriate
choice for the layout design and its envisioned operations. On
a small switching layout, it’s less about corralling a roster of
locos, but rather optimizing the slow-speed crawl performance
of the few active units in play.
4: It’s 3 am, and the all-foamcore base of Chicago Fork
takes shape. No sleeping spouses or significant-others
were awakened in the construction of this layout.
4
5: Note the overhanging module roof/fascia/lighting pelmet
and 6” deep “L-girder” base. Foamcore is imminently
suitable for benchwork building as long as basic structural
principles are respected.
5
MRH-Sep 2013
