Exploring the World of Model Railroading
It was a productive day on the layout. In the morning, we finally figured out what the minimum height should be for the middle level, which was a needed parameter to start installing uprights. Then I proceeded to cut couple of 70″ twin track standards I bought the day before into 3 equal parts, about 23-5/16″ long. I had to drill an additional hole in every two pieces, so they all have 3 holes for screws.
My current plan for building the middle and upper level is to use twin track shelving system that many modellers have used before to build their layouts. I opted for it since it offers some flexibility in adjusting the benchwork height (at ~1.25″ increments). I knew I had to figure out some way around the peninsula, so today I decided to build a custom stud that would hold the shelving standards and allow curving around.
OK, so it’s half of the peninsula – the part that’s built. I’m glad I did not build the whole thing because there would be no room to do any work with these big sheets of hardboard. Serendipity strikes again!
During the week I squeezed in some time to prime the hardboard (two coats) for the backdrops, looking towards the weekend for their installation. Well, the plan worked out and the backdrop surfaces have now been installed.
This winter is really getting under my skin with long stretches of very cold days, where all you can do is hide inside where it’s warm. It definitely does not help with building a layout when one needs materials from outside, or has to do cutting and what not.
Today ended up being somewhat warmer at -5 C, from our -15 C norm that we have been having past couple of weeks. It gave me an opportunity to run over to my local home despot and finally buy some hardboard for the backdrops. Hooray, the space is transforming, once again, although it does look even more closed up now.
Today marks the end of the railroad building marathon session which started two weeks ago. It’s back to work tomorrow, boohoo. But before that, more progress has been made on the peninsula, which is finally taking shape.
