module construction

[Connor]

Railwaybob! I just started building my modules for my home layout.. I've been on your site several times.. I failed to read the part about the size of the boards... I went and picked up premium grade 1" x 4" to use for the frame, and am using 2" pink foam. I still have to dry fit and glue in the foam, but the frames for 2 of them are done. I was rather disappointed in myself after going back and reading that you used 1" x 5"'s or 1"x 6"s for your frame.. I've only got 3/4" inch below the braces to use clamps on. :curse: because I used 1" x 4" however, I still like them and think they're going to work fine.. I just now have to go and find the correct fittings to make my legs out of PVC. I'm hoping not to have to do any cross bracing if possible.. as It'll make it hard for me to use the underside of the layout as storage, which was one of they only reasons I got away with making my layout as big as it's going to be. (Had to make some concessions to the wife!) I was also planning on decking the bottom of the foam with 1/4" Luan so I would have something to attach tortis switches etc to the bottom.. But, didn't want to eat up any more room.. I guess I can cut 2 pieces and glue them to the underside of the foam and not loose any more room..

Thanks, Connor

 

[railwaybob]

Hello Connor. 1"x 6", 1"x 5", 1"X 4", or strips of 3/4" plywood cut to whatever width - it all works. You use what is available to you. personally, I'd like to go with 1"x 4" (ie 3/4" x 3 1/2") lumber and 1 1/2" styrofoam, but I have to stick to the club standards (another consideration when you're building your modules).

If you aren't going to brace the legs, you might want to consider the 2"x 2" legs which screw into a T-nut. This makes things easier to build. Tortoise switch machines can be glued to a small piece of 1/8" plywood (usually called "door skins") which in turn can be glued to the underside of the styrofoam. Mason Jar can give you more details on this as a number of persons in our club http://www.hotrak.ca have installed Tortoise switch machines this way.

Have fun. (I am!)

Bob M.

 

[Connor]

Any suggestions on 3' x 3' corner module (with one corener knocked off, so it'll join up to 2' modules. ??

What about 2' x 2' square modules? (Or extentions) Take a look at my layout and you can see the different modules I have planned.. http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=24715

 

[MasonJar]

Connor,

I don't know that I can provide much more info than Bob - he's got some of my modules under construction in his basement...!

There are indeed a few members who have installed Tortises. They have been recessed into the 2" foam and do not stick out much at all. 3/4" of an inch should give you enough room to run wires and other stuff along the bottom of the module.

If you do not want to cross brace legs, Bob's solution is good. But if the layout is more movable than transportable (i.e. you are not taking it out to meets) then why not do away with the legs all toether and mount the modules on shelf brackets? That makes for plenty of room underneath. See Gary S's solution for his HO scale layout: http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=24593

In terms of suggestions - are you looking for track plans, or something else? There's quite a bit of good information on NTrak modular railroading here: http://www.ntrak.org/ and http://www.tex-n.org/

Andrew

 

[ozzy]

blue and pink foam is the same stuff, just differant brands.

Help!!
Dumb question - I have Lowe's and Home Depot in my area. Neither appears to stock 2" blue foam. Perhaps I missed it. Does it have a brand name? Where should I look for it?
Thanks - Steve