Layout Lighting

Good lighting is a key to enjoying our hobby. We create scenes, add details, and expect crew members to read car numbers. Without decent lighting our efforts suffer. The El Paso layout room had a ceiling fan with five light fixtures as a central light source. This was augmented with a couple of clamp-type shop lamps on temporary poles for operating. The light was just above average. The new Tennessee hobby room has poor lighting in comparison. I’ve set out to improve the situation in this rental home. Click on any image here to review a larger size.

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More Layout Adjustments

After working through the layout adjustments noted in the last blog post, additional issues have turned up. There are two locations on the Wheeling Freight Terminal where curved track crosses layout sections at an angle, as can be seen in the lead image. One or two tracks have been problematic but now the problems have increased after setting up the layout in a new home. Click on any image here to review  larger size.

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Layout Adjustments

The Wheeling Freight Terminal layout sections have assembled easily in the new space but there are a few adjustments to make in order to operate again. One adjustment was noted in the last blog post where four inches of a section needed to be removed in order for all to fit into the space. A survey of the layout has revealed the need for additional adjustments. Thankfully, no other sections need to be shortened.

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Fitting the Layout

I almost titled this post as Moving Along – part 3, but we are beyond the moving phase. The Wheeling Freight Terminal layout sections got onto their legs this week! Well, not all of them are on their legs as a problem was discovered. The layout is slightly longer than the space. I will admit, I did not measure the room before we committed to the house rental but I also did not know the actual long dimension of the layout. Yup, I did a job on this one. Click on any image here to view a larger size.

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Track Installation Basics, part 5

Mind the gap!
Mind the gap!

Building a model railroad involves assembling track components into a design that meets a desire to operate or follow a prototype location. In many cases, three-foot sections of flexible track are joined together, or joined to track switches, as the mainline is installed. Often a tie or two is clipped from the track ends in order to connect the pieces with rail joiners. Installation proceeds and eventually the completed track is tested with a few freight cars and a locomotive before it is deemed complete.

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