Planning: Extension of a current show modular layout.

[Keisarikonen]

Refers to (Project)

 

The layout was brought to the Finnish Railway Museum and was a success. A lot of people love the modular style of the layout as well as the themes it introduces. Meanwhile, the current sakura shelf layout had an issue with the turntable and I fear it would not be a positive addition. 

 

Instead, I have decided to repurpose the cherry turntable into a spring module extension, but it presented another problem with balance. Sure, you can argue that Finnish summer and fall are barely what one would call long, but I have decided to create two extra 60cm modules to the layout, making the entire thing about 2,3 metres in length. 

 

Moreover, the industry and passing station will be merged into one for the winter layout and instead of being a dead end, would rather create half of a station/depot. The idea that trains will be switched based on how long it has been run by the visitors. Since the idea of the layout is to have both controllers runnable by visitors of the table. 

 

But I am wondering if this is too ambitious, that maybe there is another thing I could possibly do. What are your thoughts?

 

These are the rough plans.

 

Edited yesterday at 11:15 AM by Keisarikonen

[cteno4]

Great it was a hit! Extensions look good. Always nice to have passing tracks like that to easily bring out different rains fast. With visitors around its usually good to have operations as simple as possible as easy to get distracted with people talking and such and keeping the train rolling helps keep folks attention, some get frustrated with more complex switching of trains on and off sidings and leave at that point. Also easy to direct public operators to stop at the station, you switch the points and then they take the other train out, fun for them and easy to direct.

 

Are you planning on some different depth modules to get more scenery bits into modules?

 

jeff

[Keisarikonen]

I was in contact with the organisers of the September event. They gave me instead 2 tables but in an L shape. While it does fit a 2500mm length, it does leave an empty 1 metre long area. of the table. It could be a place to fix stuff, display my trains, or even sell some stuff. But I don't think I am planning to sell anything anyway. 

 

So I drew an L shaped plan such as the following. 

 

The red parts depict ones I have constructed for the layout, the light blue are ones I am planning to construct initially in the extension. There are some L modules that I would have to construct in addition. Of course with the foam I could construct it quickly, as well as just buying some extra straights. 

 

However, my primary worry comes in the form of transporting the modules. If I were to add so much itll be difficult to transport, and I fear it might be too much/too overwhelming. 

 

 

 

 

[Keisarikonen]

13 hours ago, cteno4 said:

Are you planning on some different depth modules to get more scenery bits into modules?

 

jeff

 

I am considering it honestly, @ToniBabelony suggested the different stages of rice paddies. 

 

However, I am planning that at some point, I want to convert this layout into an actual T-track module or something rather smaller. Currently I cant make much depth modules with hills or sth as it might block the view of the other seasons

[cteno4]

Yes storage and transport are always an issue when doing shows. Getting containers that dont waste a lot of space can be very hard to find and the cost adds up. Transporting a few modules naked works, but a large bunch can get dangerous and tedious. Some folks have made lightweight frames that they slide a half dozen modules into. Just enough to hold them together tight packed. Doesnt stop dust or things poking in during transport but can be quite compact and lowers trips during loading and unloading. You could do a frame like this and cover with corrugated cardboard or foamcore for a bit more protection but keep cost and weight down. A lot of your modules are the same sized so maybe a stack would work.

 

Can you talk a friend into coming with you at least for the setup and teardown? Extra pair of hands makes a big difference setting up layouts and just schlepping everything to/from the car.

 

L is a fun presentation, but bit of custom back corner module to do. If it feels too overwhelming dont max yourself out and just do a single loop and displays trains. These shows should be enjoyable for you and you dont want to burn yourself out too much too fast. As you do more shows you get more comfortable with the process and find little tricks to help with setup/teardown. One huge one for us after like 15 years of shows was those fold up wagons! They are so wonderful to help schlep boxes to and from the car. The take a bit of space in the car, but its soooo worth it for what it does moving modules boxes around and so much softer than using hand dollys and palate carts which we have both had stacks of module boxes tumble from while schlepping.

 

cheers,

 

jeff

[cteno4]

A thought, you could always just do the back far corner as tracks on some blocks/piers if you want to save on having to make the biggest module of the whole set. Or just cut a curved piece of thin plywood for the track to rest on and prop up with some blocks. Its a cheat, but if it makes it all doable…

 

cheers,

 

jeff

[Junech]

I think a real transport solution will be a bit hard to find since you can't put in bolts to secure the modules...

 

I would personally go with Euro containers. It is an established system, and paired with grid foam, it should be a good system to use. You will just need to check the highest point and find a grid foam and container with the matching height. Then lay another foam piece on the track to get it to full height to keep it from bouncing. If you package all other needed things that fit into one of the 600x400mm Euro containers, you can just roll them around with the matching trolley or some other fitting equipment if you need to go off-road.

 

Each container slides into the one below so they won't fall off that easily and if you get a lid for them as well they will be dust safe for storage.