$500 layout grand prize - 6
have a great deal of information on their collection of equipment
and photos to aid my layout design and modeling choices.
Operations
Operation can include as many as four operators: trolley, inter-
urban, steam or diesel engineers, and a dispatcher. Endless
switching moves can be done in a session to pull equipment
from the storage and display tracks so that the scale visitors
might enjoy either riding in them, or just for viewing. It does
not count against you if you switch individual tracks a number
of times during a session.
For switching the storage and display tracks I could be look-
ing for a small diesel. I like the little GE 44-ton diesel model,
but a 45-tonner would be more interesting because of its
side rods. Much of the fun comes from being able to watch
8. Vintage trolleys transport visitors around the loop at
the Illinois Railway Museum.
8
the equipment move, and what better way than the wonder-
ful movement of the side rods and mechanism of the steam
locomotive?
Finding materials
Working on a budget means I have to be a good shopper, and
manage and prioritize my purchases, not unlike the real IRM.
See the sidebar for my proposed budget table. The prices
shown are based upon two sources for simplicity, and reflect
dependable prices and availability. I prefer to look at the possi-
bility of used material and equipment, which saves me money
for additional purchases.
Track switches are the single most expensive items, as there
are so many. I do not expect to purchase all of them in the
beginning, but I want enough to establish the key wye track
configuration and trolley loop, and to minimize the need
to later pull up the wye or loop tracks to install additional
switches to connect the storage stub tracks. The additional
switches will complete the sidings on the mainline straight run
and the second stub track in the storage and display tracks.
My budget table shows the full retail price at Menards for a
36”-wide hardwood hollow-core door; however, this is an area
to look for savings. Every shipment has a damaged door from
packing or handling, which might be purchased at a discount.
But my real savings came at the local ReStore, which had a
large number of used suitable doors at $5 each.
The budget does include sufficient 2x3s and plywood to build
and fasten legs to support the door, as the layout without the
initial inclusion of the work desk or chest or bookcase.
Look for useful pieces of wood or structural items there, along
with desk-top lights or surface-mount florescent lights. ReStore
MRH-May 2014
