OlsmilinEd said:
I don't think I can recall anyone ever mentioning a two level ISLAND layout before! I'm getting some oddball mental images. Please tell me more!
That part is actually one of those "National Train Show" layouts that Model Railroader used to build. This one happened to have a second level above the first one; it only covers one half (lengthwise) of the module (it's 8'x 24"-30").
The upper level was originally supposed to be a cookie-cutter section per the construction plan, but that required a 5% grade. Instead, I'm working on maybe a 2.5% grade by running a sloping ramp on the OUTSIDE of the island. By the time it gets to the switch controlling the siding, there will be about 180" of track length, to gain about 6" in height.
This ramp (and the extention around to the other module), is built on 1x4s on risers. The upper level is actually 1" pink foam glued to a thin sheet of hardboard (1/8" scrap, actually two pieces). This is glued on top of 2" pieces of foam (the other half from the upper level).
The ramp isn't finished yet; I still have to clean up another section of the basement so I can construct the curve at the end. This modification from the cookie cutter allows me to dedicate the entire upper level fully to a switching layout while the lower level is a two-line main. The underside of the upper level is basically a tunnel. The upper level has 4 industries plus a town.
The lower level also has a setout track as well as an engine service facility for crew/engine changes.
This module has a one-way connection to the second module, which is a modification of another one of the MR Train Show layouts, the San Jose Central. That one is single level...
Kennedy