D&J RailRoad
Professor of HO
First, I'm surprised that the forum here doesn't have a separate sub forum about modules.
Anyway, I sold off my previous module set. It was 20 feet which included a grade, a diversion of the track from the front edge of the modules and a few industrial sidings.
I am starting a new set of modules that will provide a run through yard with sidings on both sides of the mainline. Two on the outboard side towards the viewer and 5, maybe 6 sidings on the backside of the module.
In order to get the two sidings on the viewer side of the mainline, I'll have to expand the module about 3" from the point where it joins the next members modules.
In this new set of modules, I plan to make them an expandable set. In other words, the yard modules will be built so that just the two modules that lead into and out of the yard can be used or additional modules can be added between them to extend the yard. In addition, I plan to build two modules with this that will turn the mainline and yard tracks about 11 1/2 degrees just to get away from the straight away look of the standard module. The turning modules would be used in the larger shows like at Timonium where we would have the room for the larger layout. Along with the turning modules, I'll have to provide incremental modules to go on the two other sides of the layout to compensate for the slight offset that these modules will cause.
Another feature I will be exploring is the legs. Note in the picture above, the 2x2 legs. They have an adjustable foot on the bottom for adjusting the height of the module. I really don't like crawling around on the floor of the cow palace at Timonium because of what has probably been laying there in the previous shows. Remember, its the fair grounds where they also show and sell cattle. I want to try another approach to the legs by using PVC pipes with the 2x2 inside the pipe to provide stability. The PVC pipe will also have an adjustable part that will be near the top so the leg can be turned while standing up. The bottom of the leg will be a PVC pipe cap.
I will use Shinohara number 8 turnouts from the mainline then number 6 turnouts for the yard ladders. All turnouts will be controlled by Tortoise machines.
I have the number 8 turnouts but there seems to be a drought on the market for code 100 number 6 turnouts except for Peco and Atlas. Both, in my opinion and experience don't have the qualities I would like to use in this module for reliability and flow. Peco sells a number 6 turnout that isn't really a number 6 and Atlas uses a huge stamped frog that really looks like something that belongs in a sand box for the kiddies to play with. Might as well put a Mickey Mouse face logo on it too.
Our next club show will be at Timonium in early May. I plan to have three of these modules ready for that show. It won't have the curved part ready then but will have the two end modules and one mid module extender.
Anyway, I sold off my previous module set. It was 20 feet which included a grade, a diversion of the track from the front edge of the modules and a few industrial sidings.
I am starting a new set of modules that will provide a run through yard with sidings on both sides of the mainline. Two on the outboard side towards the viewer and 5, maybe 6 sidings on the backside of the module.
In order to get the two sidings on the viewer side of the mainline, I'll have to expand the module about 3" from the point where it joins the next members modules.
In this new set of modules, I plan to make them an expandable set. In other words, the yard modules will be built so that just the two modules that lead into and out of the yard can be used or additional modules can be added between them to extend the yard. In addition, I plan to build two modules with this that will turn the mainline and yard tracks about 11 1/2 degrees just to get away from the straight away look of the standard module. The turning modules would be used in the larger shows like at Timonium where we would have the room for the larger layout. Along with the turning modules, I'll have to provide incremental modules to go on the two other sides of the layout to compensate for the slight offset that these modules will cause.
Another feature I will be exploring is the legs. Note in the picture above, the 2x2 legs. They have an adjustable foot on the bottom for adjusting the height of the module. I really don't like crawling around on the floor of the cow palace at Timonium because of what has probably been laying there in the previous shows. Remember, its the fair grounds where they also show and sell cattle. I want to try another approach to the legs by using PVC pipes with the 2x2 inside the pipe to provide stability. The PVC pipe will also have an adjustable part that will be near the top so the leg can be turned while standing up. The bottom of the leg will be a PVC pipe cap.
I will use Shinohara number 8 turnouts from the mainline then number 6 turnouts for the yard ladders. All turnouts will be controlled by Tortoise machines.
I have the number 8 turnouts but there seems to be a drought on the market for code 100 number 6 turnouts except for Peco and Atlas. Both, in my opinion and experience don't have the qualities I would like to use in this module for reliability and flow. Peco sells a number 6 turnout that isn't really a number 6 and Atlas uses a huge stamped frog that really looks like something that belongs in a sand box for the kiddies to play with. Might as well put a Mickey Mouse face logo on it too.
Our next club show will be at Timonium in early May. I plan to have three of these modules ready for that show. It won't have the curved part ready then but will have the two end modules and one mid module extender.