David Lee Train Modeling

I’ve completed the basic track and wiring for the first section and started on the next.     This Christmas I have as week off and not much to do so I hope to make great progress.  I also got an incredible Christmas present, Could you belove a Broadway Limited Imports HO 2097 Centipede !!!!   The prototype is almost 90 feet long.   This is one huge engine from the peak of the early diseal erra (1943-1948).   I was never expecting  to run something this big but good thing I planned on min 24″ radius.   Although the current section has a fairly sharp turn out which I’m reworking.   Now that I have something huge like this to test with I can make sure atleast the mainlines will work, atleast 1 train at a time.

The main deck benchwork is largely complete.  I’ve updated the layout to show accurate measurements of the 8 sections and adjusted the layout slightly.  I expect now to put some work in

to redoing the layout diagrams to fit a better understanding of my workspace.

I’m also having a good time designing in 1:1 scale.   I’m cutting out template track pieces in cardboard and laying them out.  I get a lot better feel from that then lines on visio.

Benchwork is proceeding.   Much trial and some error.   Here’s some shots of the benchwork being built.

This weekend I begun benchwork construction. I’m following the design ideas from “How to Build Model Railrowad Benchwork” by Linn H. Westcott.

This will be primarily a “L-Lattice” open framework mostly attached to the wall (see 3D Model). Minimal attachments to the wall are ideal. I started putting up 6 foot pilasters (2″x2″) attached to studs every 3 studs with 5 3 1/2 ”

First step shown with Pilasters attached to the walls. Ideally nothing else will attach to the walls after this point, including backgrounds, or brackets for upper decks or lighting.

I’ve worked on a 3D model so I could visualize both the benchwork and the layout. This is particularly tricky for me while designing the “no-lix” grade track and figuring out how the benchwork would work in practice.

Constructing this model was both fun and educational. I’d advise anyone considering a larger layout to make a model. Its fun and helpful.

3D model in 1:16 scale of available room in basement

3D Model with 1st layer layout printed, cut out and layed over benchwork.

I’ve near completed planning my expanded railway. This will take up about 1/3 my basement approx 16″ x 18″.
This will be a multi-deck “around the wall” layout with a partial “no-lix” to get from the main deck to upper deck.

Here’s a first (discarded) attempt. Not shown are about 30 iterations before and after.

First attempt at layout design

Here’s a more complete nearly final plan for the main deck. Black rails are ‘on the flat’ … blue is a 2% grade going to the upper deck.

Plan #2 for mainlines.