Conrail Joe Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 So I decided to just build something simple. Following a blog post from Mr. Mindheim, I’m making a single turnout “instant on” layout. The aim is to have a simple protypical op session at the drop of a hat with a 15-20 minute work time. https://lancemindheim.com/2013/08/instant-on-layouts/ My prototype is the Providence & Worcester, in Providence, just north of Northrop yard. It is a simple, rarely used industrial spur. With a bit of realistic imagination, (real businesses on this spur) a company that sits on the south side of the tracks, Northeast food Systems ( Venda Ravioli) expanded and moved across the tracks to the large white building. The expansion and move will be supported by the P&W with rail shipments of flour, Vegetable oil, and packaging supplies. Jumping on the heels of expansion, the small providence bakery “Just Us” moved into NFS’s old building to be able to receive monthly shipments of HFCS, and flour. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 2, 2018 Author Share Posted July 2, 2018 Here’s the aerial view, and track plan. The layout is 96” x 8”. Season: SUMMER!!!!! No more snow! Scale: HO Track: Atlas code 83 flextrack Turnout: Peco code 83 #6 DCC: NCE 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 2, 2018 Author Share Posted July 2, 2018 Here is the rapid progress!! I’m constructing it shadow box style like my previous layout. The surface the track will be on is a 1”x10”x8’ finished pine. I ripped 2” off of the width for it to fit the desired 8” width. This was overkill, but it provided me with the strength I needed so I didn’t have to buy 3/4” plywood for rigidity on the back drop like my previous layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 2, 2018 Author Share Posted July 2, 2018 Here’s a picture test fitting the placement of the paperwork station, the uncoupler tool holder, and the NCE power cab jack. The second picture is the 2’ staging cassette being clamped to death while the carpenter glue dries. Tomorrow this led strip lights will be installed, and the top valence will be attached. I’m hoping to get the track glued down, but I have a long honey do list! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 2, 2018 Author Share Posted July 2, 2018 Let there be light!!!!! Let there be light!!!!! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 2, 2018 Author Share Posted July 2, 2018 Put the upper valence on, took a few pics. Painted it all black, but forgot to take pics! Track goes down tomorrow! 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 Here’s the painted fascia 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 Staging cassette attached 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share Posted July 5, 2018 I decided to follow through with the tip in lances book. To cut and remove a few ties every few inches and spread out the ties making it look more like industrial trackage. That was painful! I hope it pays off in the long run. I don’t have it glued down yet just making sure I’m happy with the arrangement first. I’ll probably let it sit a day or two, and stare at it quite a bit before I glue it down. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted July 5, 2018 Share Posted July 5, 2018 Rapid progress indeed!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 OK that’s enough of that. The track is being glued down. I attached the paperwork station as well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Solder Saturday!!! Trains are running!! 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendell1976 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Joe, you are building a nice, interesting one-turnout layout of the Providence & Worcester. It is nice to see a fellow American building a layout without a lot of turnouts and a "spaghetti bowl" of track. Turnouts cost a lot of money in model railroading just like in real life. Wendell Idaho, USA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 (edited) Thanks Wendell! All set up for my first op session. the gold color lock is for the switch stand. The other two locks for the de-rails. On the staging Cassatt I have the handwritten switch list, The keys for the locks, and a tool to clean the track if necessary Today’s operations include : 2 HFCS tank cars for JUB. (just us bakery) This is the typical monthly shipment they get by rail. Covered hopper with flower is a two month supply. I have one tank car to pick up from JUB, and nothing happening at NFPS today. Using the train crew app on my phone, I’m thinking this should take 15 minutes. http://traincrew.conrail1285.com/index.html Edited July 9, 2018 by Conrail Joe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Yep, 17 minutes! Exactly what I wanted! Now it’s time to make it look like the real thing. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendell1976 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Nice, Joe! How many cars do you use on your layout altogether? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conrail Joe Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 Nice, Joe! How many cars do you use on your layout altogether? Up to 7 car spots total. but 7 cars on the layout looks very crowded. The staging cassette can hold an engine and two cars. I have a "Bullpen" (cardboard box) of cars to swap in and out right under the staging cassette. Only my HFCS cars are current, so I will need to slowly update my cars. I painted the track today. I used rustoleum cammo brown. Up next is painting the ties using a method from Mike Confalone. Diluted acrylic wash with greys and browns. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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