Figure 9 shows a sketch of the shelf construction details. The
door panel was positioned away from the wall to locate the
two museum “run” track centerlines approximately 5.5” and 7”
away from the wall.
The 2x3s and some of the plywood are used to make whatever
support legs are necessary. I plan to attach mine to a heavy
desk I purchased.
Future expansion
If I decide to add the UP working railroad later I will bridge the
gap between the two shelf sections which exists between the
door panel and the wall. I would run the UP RR line as close
as 2” from the wall but another ¼” higher than the museum
roadbed. This also leaves only 3” between the two rail lines,
but that is enough for some bushes and occasional trees to dis-
guise the close proximity.
More simulated vegetation would be used between and on
the wall between the UP tracks and the wall. An occasional tall
bush or tree, along with telephone, power, and trolley poles
will help break up the view between the viewer at the shelf
edge and the tracks. At least one bridge and culvert will be
included. The museum line will cross a little creek on a wooden
pile bridge, but the UP line will have a concrete culvert. Figure
10 illustrates the creek and bridging substructure construction.
Layout structures and rolling stock
I plan to start drawing and forming the proposed structures out
of available cardstock or non-corrugated cardboard. Eventually
the structures will be scratchbuilt from Evergreen styrene
sheets and Grandt Line or Tichy Train Group windows and
doors. Roadways and platforms will be made of cardstock and
thin plywood scraps.
I use the old method of newspaper and paper bag pieces
dipped into homemade flour-and-water paste, or coated with
$500 layout grand prize - 10
white or carpenter glue to form and blend ground contours.
House paint, especially discounted earth-tone flat colors, will
be used to color the ground. Fine sand and sawdust do well to
add texture, when added to the wet paint. These can later be
refined using current materials and techniques.
For ballast I plan to investigate the use of a fine paving sand
that comes in 50-pound bags I saw at Menards. I am also
excited about the chance to try to modify some of the used
and low-cost trolleys into possible passenger and freight
motors for interurban use. I plan to try to really distress some
wood cars into simulations of equipment needing, or in process
of, restoration. Some equipment is covered with tarps awaiting
restoration, which lends more modeling opportunities.
Stacks of rails and ties and other supplies will be needed. The
lines can be signaled to the extreme, with endless variety. Then
there are the displays of signs, signals, and other equipment.
The museum must stockpile old parts to support the contin-
ued operation and restoration of vintage equipment. I can
add sound, especially below the table. Crossing bells, whistles
and horns, and steam and diesel sounds are just some of the
effects available through solid-state chips such as ITT or an
MRC unit. The list seems endless.
I see this as an opportunity to have a layout with long-term
enjoyment in both modeling and operation. The layout, equip-
ment, scenery, and operation can evolve over time, and include
endless modeling opportunities. I believe this layout will give
me a great deal of pleasure for a long time.
MRH-May 2014
