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BMWorks
Registered

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Dallas,
I know what your getting at. I have been struggling with this also.
The plan is to have a few town buildings to the right of the depot, and a stream and the water tank and column off to the left. How this all spaces out is hurting the gray matter.
Thanks for the comments. That's what makes this site great, is the many eyes helping out spotting things hidden in plain sight, Last edited on Mon Apr 8th, 2013 03:32 am by BMWorks
____________________ Brad
Essex Northern RR
"Emperor of the North"
http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=4995&forum_id=4
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Posted: Fri Apr 12th, 2013 12:17 am |
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12th Post |
BMWorks
Registered

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Getting ready to lay the right of way, and the choices are endless. I plan on hand laying all track on this diorama as this is my test bed for skills leading up to the home layout.
So hear we go.
What to use as a base, spline, blue foam, homasote or a combination?
What to put down the ties with on the best base?
I will be hand spiking and machine (Kadee) spiking the track, so this plays into the decision as some posts I have read, warn of ties compressing into the foam.
The ties being used are Mt? Albert 5" x 7" x 6' white pine. Rail will be code 100 as I found a great deal on a tube full at a swap meet.
This Saturday, the 13th, we are off to Schromberg, Ontario for the 8th annual "Ontario Narrow Gauge Show". I will be picking up the track gauges, some ballast, gound cover materials and anything else that happens to fall into my bag.

____________________ Brad
Essex Northern RR
"Emperor of the North"
http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=4995&forum_id=4
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Posted: Fri Apr 12th, 2013 05:45 am |
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13th Post |
Paladin
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Joined: | Tue Jan 24th, 2006 |
Location: | Berwick, Australia |
Posts: | 2403 |
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In regard to using foam for a base, just let me say.
My layout is in a 20 x 20 foot space. About 200 feet of track overall. All on a base of foam.
Would I go up this path again the answer is NO. It is easy to work but care is vital.
The foam can be compresed just by leaning a arm or such like to the layout If you are working a large area this becomes an issue
I am sure others will give foam the nod. each to his own
Don
____________________ Don McL
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Posted: Sun Apr 14th, 2013 04:51 pm |
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14th Post |
BMWorks
Registered

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Don,
Thanks for your opinion.
I have come to the same conclusion. A the show this weekend I talked to each builder about the pros and cons. Overall the pros were for ties on a solid substrate while hand laying. Some people like the simple plane foam approch, but had warnings about being "careful" and "gentle" and it would work out. The convincing construction method was by a group with a long traveling module system. They had a aluminum frame with foam and plywood composite sandwich construction. The trackwork was all hand laid and was fantastic. They used custom sized ties and Kadee spiked code 83 rail. I will post pictures and more information when I organize myself from this weekends trip.
So today I have begun ripping Masonite for a spline type construction. I will lay the foam and other elements up to this for the landform shaping.
Will take pictures of where I end up tonight and post.Last edited on Tue Apr 16th, 2013 12:04 am by BMWorks
____________________ Brad
Essex Northern RR
"Emperor of the North"
http://www.freerails.com/view_topic.php?id=4995&forum_id=4
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Posted: Tue Apr 16th, 2013 02:33 am |
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Posted: Tue Apr 16th, 2013 03:20 am |
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Posted: Tue Apr 16th, 2013 03:37 pm |
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Herb Kephart
Moderator

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I have LOTS of clamps--they just run and hide when they know that I need them.
Herb
____________________ Fix it again, Mr Gates--it still works!"
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Posted: Thu Apr 18th, 2013 12:13 am |
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Posted: Thu Apr 18th, 2013 01:40 am |
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jtrain
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To throw in my two cents BM, I've never seen a display like this, but using wood as a base like this is genius. Whoever thought of that was thinking.
I would personally throw down the cork first, if this was to be an operating display. The cork not only deadens some of the sound, but ballast would hold better to a grade when rough cork is used as the roadbed.
But since this at least appears to be a static display, spiking the ties straight to the wood road base would provide a more steady hold.
In reality, I don't see why you couldn't do either. Both would work the way I see it, it comes down to personal preference.
--James
____________________ James W.
New Blog (permanent this time)
blackhillsrr.blogspot.com
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Posted: Sun Apr 21st, 2013 04:33 pm |
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