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
MRH-May 2014
