The Scotts-dale Division (SDD) is my N scale layout. For information about the design, please check out the Layout page.
UPDATE: 7/29/2008 - I started this page for myself, to keep track of my progress. It also captures the fits and starts of my hobby due to job changes, moves, and growing family. Much to my surprise, this is the most popular page on my web site. As, a result I'm beginning to transform this page into articles about the specific aspects of building a layout that many are searching for, making this page so popular.
Article 1 - Ro-Ro Train Elevator
Article 2 - L girder Benchwork
SDD Taxi Layout:
-
2006, August 24th
Installed Track on Shelf #1 of Ro-Ro Elevator
-
2006, August 20th
Assembled Track Sections for Ro-Ro Elevator
-
2006, August 19th
Assembled Track Sections for Ro-Ro Elevator
-
2006, August 18th
Installed DCC Rail B wiring in Ro-Ro Elevator
Started assembly of Track Sections for Ro-Ro Elevator
-
2006, August 13th
Completed Assembly of Ro-Ro Elevator
Test Ran Elevator
-
2006, August 12th
Installed Ro-Ro Elevator supports and elevator mechanism
-
2006, August 11th
Assembled Ro-Ro Elevator Shelves
-
2006, August 9th
Started Ro-Ro Elevator
Assembled Ro-Ro elevator mechanism
-
2006, August 2nd
Ro-Ro Elevator Arrived
Read Directions
-
2006, August 1st
Installed long braces
-
2006, July 30th
Painted long bracing for Legs.
-
2006, July 29th
Built first table section with L-girders and Leg assemblies. Then cut long bracing for legs.
-
2006, Week of July 24th
Took most of the week off, but did work on the CTC control System.
-
2006, Week of July 17th
Painted L-girders & Assemblies
-
2006, July 15th
Having solved the transfer table challenge, I was able to update the layout design and finalize the arrangements of L-girder supports and table legs. With the arrangement finalize, I built the L-girders and leg assemblies.
The next step was to paint the girders and leg assemblies. This is a step that most modelers skip because of the added time and expense; however, I would strongly encourage others not to skip this step. These are my reasons why:
1.) Dimensional Stability - Wood changes dimension with varying humidity and temperature. By painting the wood, it locs water content into/out of the wood which helps to stabilize the wood.
2.) Aesthetics - Model railroads are not finished in a day. Even if the final layout will have a fascia, skirting, and other items to hide the benchwork these components will not be in place immediately. The paint makes the layout look better while under construction. Making the layout look good during construction is especially important when you and the layout shares space with other family members. In these situations, it is epically important to make the layout look good for your significant other.
3.) Maintenance - Working under the layout is challenging because there is never enough light. Wood tends to absorb, not reflect light, so bare wood aggravates the problem. Therefore, painting the underside of the layout a bright, highly reflective color helps with lighting the underside for future maintenance.
-
2006, July 8th
Today I went to the National Train Show, which was in Philadelphia, PA. While there, I saw a demonstration of a device called the Ro-Ro Train Elevator. Basically it is a vertical transfer table for N, HO, or O scale trains. I watched several demonstrations and asked the inventor, Walter Kiefer, many questions. After some time, I realized that he had developed a far better indexing system than I have been able to develop. In addition, using a vertical system will eliminate the grades needed to travel down to a horizontal transfer table beneath the main elevation. Thus I ordered the Ro-Ro Train Elevator and shelved the plans for my own transfer table.
For more information on the Ro-Ro Train Elevator by Walter Kiefer, check out the Ro-Ro Train Elevator web site.
-
2006, July 4th
Happy Fourth of July. Today I built the the frame of the Transfer Table. The table is built like a drawer, but without sides. The table top is made of a single piece of 3/4" cabinet grade plywood which is 72" by 18". It is framed length-wise with 1 x 4 on the front and back. I cut a groove 1/4" deep in the middle of each of the 1x4s. Thus, the table top fits into the grooves, which helps keep the table from warping. Two supports were added under the table top for mounting the drawer slides, these supports are 18" long and fitted into additional grooves on the 1x4 stiffeners. The image below shows the assembly of the transfer table.
View of the transfer table under-side during assembly.
-
2006, June 24th
Today I built the bench work that will support the transfer table. The bench work is based on L-girder style, but I have used 1 x 4s without a flange. Also, I have left the legs taller than currently needed to ensure that there is sufficient height when it is time to install the upper level.
-
2006, June 3rd
Today, I cut the plywood that is the base of the transfer table. Finally, I painted the Transfer table to seal the wood and limit the swelling/shrinking due to changes in humidity or temperature.
-
2006, May 27th
Today, I bought the lumber for the initial phase of construction. Then I sent the lumber to "dry" and adjust to the humidity (or lack thereof) in my basement.
Test Layout A & B
10 Apr. 2005:
Begun installation of turnout throw motors
1 Apr. 2005:
Completed testing of Turnout Control system
1 Feb. 2005:
Completed installation of Circuit Protection & Block Occupancy Detection systems
13 Nov 2004:
Completed yard and town sidings. Added photos on Layout page.
31 Oct 2004:
Completed Main Line.
24 Oct 2004:
Started yard tracks.
23 Oct 2004:
Competed 3rd and 4th modules.
26 Sept 2004:
Completed second module. Add photos of module construction under Photos.
-
21 Sept 2004:
Completed construction of first module for test layout. -
June 2004
Dismantled "Time saver" to prepare for moving
-
30 October 2003 to April 2004
Completed "Time saver" layout for testing purposes. Tested Atlas track, DCC operations, and computer controls for turnouts and occupancy detection.
-
1 July 2003:
Demolished Carolina Central. - My previous layout did not operate well because of poorly laid track and not the best track plan. I decided to start all over making use of DCC control and Atlas Code 55 track. Even still, the layout was worth developing as it was the most complete I had ever achieved and tested various scenery techniques.
Timesaver Layout
This page last updated on: 15 Aug 2008.