Large Scale Central

Temporary Indoor Musings

So now that I am downstairs and not working on the outdoor I want to work on the indoor. After all that was supposed to come first. Well thats stupid talk I know; but that didn’t stop me from dreaming and playing on Anyrail while bored at work. Knowing full well I can’t start on the indoor I got to thinking I need to build at least a temporary “something” to appease (distract, side track, call it what you want) my mind. Call it a temporary test track. I have this perfect space 156" long and as deep as I need it. “What will fit there” I ask. It would have to stay within my Micro constraints of 15" diameter curves and R1 turnouts. A double reversing loop would do well. Or maybe a timesaver or inglenook puzzle. What about all three. Here is my brain child (fools dream, pipe dream, you know the drill).

The base layout would be the double reverse loops set say 18" above the base height. The rectangle on the right is the engine shed I built for the MIK challenge, and then the associated track to the first switch coming out of the shed would be at the base height and permanent. The rest of the track would be at base height and would be interchangeable to form the two configurations you see. Where the upper track crosses over the lower tracks could be say a steel deck bridge or maybe a wood Howe or steel Warren style truss. These would span over the all the tracks in one span so as to make interchange between puzzles easier.

Well I have no idea if I will ever do this, but its kinda a neat idea for the space. I will likely build something just for giggles.

My head hoits…

The lower one looks better to me, but then I do have a rather simple mind.

Neat! I would skip the turnouts on the lower level and just create a folded oval.

Ok let me explain further. Forget the two reverse loops and only focus on the junk in the middle. Each of those are very specifically designed shunting puzzles. They are purpose built with specific purposes and rules in mind. They really can’t be altered. They serve as switching layouts. Check this out

http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/

The top is the inglenook siding and the bottom is the time saver.

Vic, l have the upper for continuous run and the bottom is for switching. That way I have the best of both worlds.

David, the best part of this design I think is that it is not either or, one or the other when it comes to the lower puzzles. If I am creative and lay the track on something solid then i can lift off one and replace it with the other. The engine shed and track to the switch to the left of the shed would be permanent. They are the exact same in each layout. So the idea is that each puzzle could be switched out. Might take two pieces but either way it could be versatile.

Like I said, just an idea I am toying with. And hand laid in code 215 aluminum would not be horribly costly to make.

And correction. That would be 15" radius curves not diameter.

On page 32 on that other railroad you have this.

On page 32 on that other railroad you have this.

Why don’t you build Wardner JCT. to see how you like it?

15" diameter???

you know, that R1 curves make for more than 4 ft. diameter on their outside?

Sean,

If you look very close Wardner Jct is a Timesaver. The bottom configuration of the above indoor is a Timesaver. If you follow the tracks close they are basically the same thing just reconfigured for space. The principle is the same where the upper tracks hold three cars and each of the other sidings hold two. and the switches are the same but configured a bit different. So Good idea Sean but I beat you too it. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)If you look at the lower left of the picture you posted it is an inglenook siding puzzle (Tiger Mill). And by doing the indoor this way I will then better determine if I want them on the big layout when that time comes. On the outdoor I am in air on the timesaver. One thought is to get more people doing something on the layout since it is small. Two people could be working puzzles while others are operating. On the other hand it takes up space that could be used for a nice industry siding of a better configuration. So building a indoor puzzle isn’t a bad plan.

Korm Kormsen said:

15" diameter???

you know, that R1 curves make for more than 4 ft. diameter on their outside?

You caught that. In my later post so did I. That should have read 15" radius for a 30" diameter. And yes I am aware that R1 is about 40" diameter. I am still playing with that 30" diameter switch idea and I have it working probably well enough but it is tight even for the small cars. If I copy basically an R1 switch and then ease out of them into my 30" diameter curves I think they will be just peachy. 30" diameter is huge by MATV standards. BTW for those that aren’t familiar with MATV standards that means Micro According To Vic.

Actually one of the reason I want to build that double reverse loop is really as a test track. Before I become entirely VICtimized I want to see if some of my theories pan out. Theoretically, all should be well. On paper (virtual paper) I have used R1 turnouts connected to 30" diameter curves. I want to see if that works in practice with the equipment I will be using. Also it will test my automatically realigning sprung stub switch. i don’t think I am am going to go so far as to make them a true flop switch but make them so the points return to the same side every time.

What happened to this one?

http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/25008/indoor-daydreams

Ken, he is Devoning again…

Ken and David,

Yes and no. . .ok more yes than no. . .but yes and no. Ken, because i decided to pull the trigger on the outdoor first I can not justify even to myself to build two layouts at once. Resources, time, money, attention would all be in conflict and we all know I already have enough problem with that. That is why I am calling this temporary. IF, and that is still a big if, I decide to build this it will be a small investment and give me something to play with that will be replaced when the indoor you mention becomes reality. I just don’t want to have the indoor and the outdoor going on at the same time. This little shelf layout will give me a place to play whiel doing other stuff.

Oh yeah and the part I didn’t mention is that the real driving force behind it is that I need some book shelves. The base of this will be book shelves.

FOR THE RECORD. I have not said I am building this. I am 100% Devoning. This is 100% a pipe dream with a hope of coming to be. So “is it done yet” will not warrant a reply.

Is it done yet?

Steve Featherkile said:

Is it done yet?

I said I wouldn’t respond but to you I will. I won’t have time to do anything until I get a certain some one some log car bunks. He is cracking the whip.

Devon Sinsley said:

“is it done yet” will not warrant a reply.

said I wouldn’t respond but to you I will.

So Steve, you are special. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)How does it feel to be special enough to warrant a reply, when non of us “commoners” would warrant one? (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

Steve is special. . .if you know what I mean

Ah, oh…um…no. Not really.

But I remember Fred Rogers telling me that I am special, because I am me. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

David Maynard said:

Ah, oh…um…no. Not really.

But I remember Fred Rogers telling me that I am special, because I am me. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

I am Groot (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

Devon, the tight curves reminds me of the Gn15 guys, and the amazing micro layouts like Vic builds.

http://www.carendt.com/micro-layout-design-gallery/

http://forum.gn15.info/

http://forum.gn15.info/viewforum.php?f=16

http://www.trainweb.org/nzgr/Gn15/Gn15.html

The Gn15 stuff runs on HO track, and I know you’re talking about G gauge, but you get the idea.

Vic Smith said:

David Maynard said:

Ah, oh…um…no. Not really.

But I remember Fred Rogers telling me that I am special, because I am me. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

I am Groot (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

since when did you turn green?