r 86 Section 5 Narrow minded??? Ce ANUCUN att co our structures! oo XCAR & BAGAGE CAR USED AS OTT BORAGE UAE PASSENGER CAR / | TELEGRAPH oFFi¢e [COAL Pockers (2) | C COAL STORAGE PLATFORM, fo renting ~ ate y B oumouss sO Vince Tana Gragg Caivorth» = = = = = ad = 2 = 2 2 > 2 2 » 2 2 2 > ° » 2 > > > 2 > 2 > > > » » » . . . . . » . , ’ ae by Gregg Cudworths Photos by the Author tstarted out innocently enough, The call nt out to the group “Anyone want to take on a for the up-coming Narrow Gaui convention in Salt Lake City?” Being both a Salt Laker and an Nn3er | offered to do the 2-footer, Well, the 2-footer was already spoken for, but the layout coordinator suggested that I take on a 4-Foot straight module instead. Yeah, 1 could probably do a simple 4-footer by the Convention; let's sec, it's now April, and the Convention is, in September. I could still doa 4-footer by then, My search was on. In doing this project, Lestablished a set of criteria that would assist me in selecting a prototype scene to model, which is my preference these days. I have been trying to model more prototype scenes, because many questions Fegarding the details found in each scene can be answered using photographs of the actual location, The criteria | used were as follows: 1. Interesting Track Plan 2. Turnouts (hand laid) 3, Structures (scratch built) 4 Bridges 5. Wonderful yet diverse Scenery, including a River 6. Track (multiple) with Grades So I set about finding a narrow gauge scene that satisfied as’ many of these criteria as possible. I looked through ‘most of my books on the RGS, the C&S, and the D&RG narrow gauges to find that one scene which would fit the bill Unfortunately, I couldn't find one scene that had all the clements and would also fit in four feet of Nn3 modiile, but there was one that realy intrigued me, one that met all but one of my criteria. Te was the Vance Junction interchange on the Rio Grande Sogfphern, but it would require a full feet dF module length! A, Ny the mda with depot area ice Junction has the scenery; sructures, track work, and even, a river. It was just lick bridges. The structures w incredible, from a classic secte the passenger car body telegraph office the wonderful coaling pocket. They ll structures you would have picked to put there if they hadn't already existed left side Rio Grande Southern mainline hala between Ridgeway’ and Rico which Se iced a branch line to Telluride. There tracks there withthe center the ona line All ofthe tracks at Vance were about 1000 feet in length Sidings for traffic heading to Telluride oF Hine. ‘The up-hill track was also used to It tain wae asa the coating pocket. A'spur trick headed up the hilt the rear of the coal pocket, allowing gondola to be set out ahd of Toaded, filing the coal pockets for later soructure sn progress Layouts & Modules | 87 use by locomotive crews, See the enclosed drawing for a plan view of my Vance June tion module. By the way, the coal pockets were loaded by hand! Drawings T made a fullsize drawing of the track and module plan on architects fodder on my dining room table to make certain that the elements and track orientation would work. Drawing it out full size also alloyed me to make changes to the plan and see their impact immediately. Several modifi plan to work. Building footprints were placed on the plan at this time as wel, Vervthing. was scaled. correct Buildings were sized and placed as my research indicated, Grades were calculated and measured based on what the module size would allow, The only aspect of Vance June tion that I couldn't achieve in the 8 feet ‘of module was the true length of the yard tracks. The 1000 foot yard tracks would have required over 6 feet, not to mention—EEE—EEE— 88 | Section 5 the turnouts, which were going to take an additional 12” at each end, ‘Transitions oon and off the module required another 10” total The 8 feet of module was disap. pearing quickly, so I made a compression. cision to redhice the yard by about one I ended up with about 600 scale feet (3 8°) of yard track, about 18 cars worth of storage on each track. The turnout goin; up the hill to service the coal pocket also had to be moved closer to the north end Of the yard, which I was just barely able to hit in afier throat turnouts at the north end. The grade up to the coal pock: was a dizzying 6%, not too far over the prototype’. jhe scenery was also laid out on the plan using pictures of the real Vance Junction to locate individ: ual trees, such as the dramatic 60° spruce trees, as well as stands of Cotton woods and Aspen, Slopes were indicated on the plan to help identify potential problems with grades between trick work and scenery elements, especially as selec tive compression was applied, ‘The module ended up being two feet wide by eight feet long. The unit is made up of two four-foot sections which bolt together. This makes transportation of the modules much easier. Usually 1 find ‘two feet of module to be quite narrow, but with this scene and the size of the trains operating on it,the two foot width was just right, The front fascia was undulated to add interest and reduce weight. | couldn't decicle on how the sky board should look. The mountain above Vance Junction rises cover 1000 feet above track elevation and didn’t have the space to pull that off. Thus far Ihave no sky board Palling off this module project for the convention required countless hours of work over the four + months and many late shifts (working until 2:00 am) over the last wo months to get the module 90 PRORRRKEKKRRKRHORRRRBOEROeneceannnanaccaence.... % complete, structures about 35% com: plete, scenery 95% complete and track ‘work 9596 complete Thave been very pleased with the results| achieved with the Vance Junction module so far, I believe that with “Nn3T have had a rare modeling, ‘opportunity: that is, tomodel a complete railroad scene at almost. one-to-one and to have it work effectively. 1 feel Vance Junction is a success given the goals I set for myself When T started its construction. «Layouts & Modules | 89 by Tom Koapp, MAMR=T01 y Stove Pipe Wells layout is a portable sectional layout based onthe Carson & Colorado in the area where it crosses from Nevada into California around 1900. ‘The area all the way up the back of the Sierras to Reno and Virginia City is rich in railroading history, including the Carson & Colorado, Nevada California & Oregon, the well Known Southern Pacific narrow gauge, the Virginia & Truckee, and the Death Valley Rail Road. During the 1860's and ‘70°, railroad fever gripped the nation, with the trans continental railroad “robber baron widening influence over almost commercial and political aspect of life A multitude of small connecting ral roads and separately chartered. branch lines sprung up — often spawned by the railroads they connected, including the railway line that became the Southern Pacific narrow gauge in its final iteration, = the Carson & Colorado. The town of Stove Pipe Wells on the layout is loosely based on Candeleria, Nevada, with its stamp mill, By changing equipment (and some movable scenic featires such as automobiles, billboards, etc.) { could ‘model the railroad at any time period, from its beginning in 1880 with Carson & Colorado wood-burning 4-4-0s plying the rails, right up to 1960, with the fabled SP ten-wheelers on point, The layout began asa 2-6" x 4 NTRAK module with Nn3 ind a connection off the front * for connecting Na3 oNeTRAK modules into the NTRAK layout at the NMRA National Convention in San Jose in 2000, Since that time it has grown to 4° x 10” and has appeared at a National Narrow Gauge Convention, a Pacific Coast Region NMRA Convention, and five Great American Train Shows, drew on both the prototype Carson [ Colorado / Southern Pie nor. and my-own childhood home af crest "in the Mojave Desert nen Death Valley for the scenery. I wanted create a set” which framed and formed backdrop fora central scene The sell ment inthe center of the layout is backed up closely by red rock outcroppings typ Gal of the Banamint Mountains ta he end, I created 2 pastiche, incorporating features of several of the towns along the C&C: one (of two) singe sal engine houses from Hawthorne, testationa a mine from Tonopah Of Lav, Keeler and Kersa The layout ofthe track and facilities com bines fetes of Keeler, Hawthorne, Owe nyoy and Candelaria have also incorpo90 Section 5 rated a connection to a standard gauge railroad ~ something that really only oc curred at the railroads beginning point at Mound House, ten miles east of Carson City where the Carson & Colorado con: nected with the V&T, and at the opposite end of the line— Owenyo, California ~ 300 miles from Mound House, and miles re: moved from anywhere. Using modeler’s license, use this standard gauy represent either the V&T or the S.P stan dard gauge Construction is what 1 call. “Ultra- Light’; the layout surface is 1” thick polystyrene foam insulation board and the perimeter frame was built of 1/8" thick birch plywood, glued to the edges of the foam with “Liguid Nails” building adhesive, and fastened to the adjacent ply- wood! frame with corner blocks, screws, and carpenter's glue. Masonite hardboard \was used for sub-roadbed, The mountains were built up in layers of this foam, Jo facilitate getting the layout ‘down stairs and around corners, fone of the new extensions, and the mountain with the mine and Stringers formed ron 1x 4 fa which can the full ngt ofthe yout under the front and towards the back ofthe layout sich al the sections tgs A though the layout is roughly 91/2 by 85 Ucar Ht by mise The layout is sup ported on a rolling box made from thin Birch plywoods the layout parts fit within i 1 if cocseeaed the base when disassembled for transport The casters allow me to move the layout cout fom the wall for acces to the beck Sof-house track: Both I x 4 stringers are locked to the box. by loose-pin hinges when I remove the pins on the rear string fre can hinge the layout up, supporting witha brace (ike theid of grand piano) for working on the electrical witing am able to use this layout in, conjunction with other Nad layouts, utiliz- B ing the standard Na3 interface points specified by NTRAK. and the additional interface location de: veloped by the Nn Alliance. These points allow me ta connect with other NTRAK modules. incorporating Nn3 trackat one of the two standard interface points, or with Nn3-oNeTRAK modules at any of three points. The NTRAK/Nn3 Blue/Green line exits may layout to the left, when viewed from the NTRAK front side. T have also incorporated an interface at the NTRAK/Nn3 42.5” interface exiting to the left. The interface point for Nn3 oNe- TRAK modules comes off at right angles tothe front of the layout, at 6” in from the right end of the lay ‘out. This connection is made via a remov ble bridge, made from a distressed and weathered Walther’s plastic trestle bridge kit In addition to the base layout, T have also_ constructed a 3-112" 8 foot light weight extension to the front ofthe layout incorpora thre standard gauge NTRAK main and: turnout which connects tthe standard gauge spur fon the main layout, thus enabling me to be part of NTRAK layouts at train shows. (This extension is not used when T have the layout at home.) This is constructed following the same ultra-light formula as the rest of the layout, with birch sides and cross members, Ix} ends, and a 1 polystyrene foam top. When used as part of an NTRAK layout, the layout can still erve the purpose for which the ori 2 x 4 module was built, and connect the NTRAK/Nn3 Blue/Green line to an independent Nn3 oNeTRAK layout. In this form, the layout forms a return loop for an Nn3 oNeT RAK layout, For the PCR-NMRA Convention in 2002, a separate 24” extension was built ‘which adds further operational capa: bilities, and another mine. This brings the full layout length to 10 feet The Nn3 track in the upper level is Peco Nn3 flex track and hand-laid turnouts using rail stripped from Peco track. The track work in the lower level is hand laid ‘ode 40, on redwood and PC ties from Clover House. ‘The N scale ties were all trimmed to a scale 7”-0" long, The turn- ‘outs are all prefabricated on PC ties usi a jig system devised by the 2MM Ass ciation in the U.K. All turnouts except for two are operated by ground throws which incorporate electrical contacts for power routing to the frog, and, in the case—— ee + of the Behind the scene trackwvork outs power to the adjacent track work. Track ballasted using a blend of Woodland Seenics ballasts, ‘ck terrain is built using Bra don Enterprises’ urethane rock castings on the solid foam sul vain and a thin shell of Syn Hloid spackle which I have pretinted a desert sand color with dry pigment. I pat down the spackle with a wet cloth while itis still sot to create a more natural sur- face texture, Loose rock talus is modeled using “kitty litter” stained with the same colors used on rock castings. then brush, ‘or spray on a layer of dilute matt medium and dust the surface with a mixture of dry pigment and plaster of Paris. (This tech nique was first described by Model Rail- roader editor Linn Westeott in the 1960's and referred to as “zip-texturing.”) Tum. bleweeds are modeled using punched cir cles of 3M scrubbing pads, painted with a light coat of Testor’ Master. Modeler Modern Desert Sand military fat paint Sagebrush is modeled with a plant mate Hil called “Sage” ftom Bragdon Linterpris 3. The whole area has been lightly over- sprayed with more Desert Sand paint. The backdrop isa continuous piece of Lino: Jeum supported on three straight runs of us" hoard, painted Glid- des "blue, with pieces of backdrop cut and pasted onafte toning down the bright colors of the backdrops with an overspray of gray primer. It ataches with ox32 screws and fender washers into threaded inserts in the rear fascia The structures of scratch ui years old) and it The main depot stony bualding were built In he 1960's the Muir Models Siver" ming, and Wester Rileraft fake Hont stores were builtin 1974 the turntable was scratch builtin 1976 The most recent kits ate from Campbell Gloor Cra, Republic Locomotive Works and lair Line, Electrically the. layout fin be operated i either a DCC mode or wonwventionally. ‘The track plan is Sivded ino clectricaly isolated blocks with all wires terminating ata 24” pin Socket under the center of the layout 1 haves couple of PC board circuit which pig into this socket which allow me to Sperate the layout as wither a one cab throes from England for conventional control, An Adds Commander. throtle is"taed for DCC opertion vith, Lene dlcoders in my Nin3 locomotives. There commercial is no control panel. The two turnouts ar operated by Tortoise switch machines and can be activated front either side of the layout The svitches an the back fascia are conventional DPDT switches, with visual Confirmation of the turnouts position; the Switches for use from the front ofthe ly out are disguised as the stack of the sand hhouse in one case, and as an empty cable reel at the stamp mill in the other case, with visual indica tion of | turnout Position provided byacrossing guard's lantern in one case, and “a. concealed signal light in the other Power routing tothe main siding atthe station is “Controlled by DPDT. switches Layouts & Modules 91 activated by pulling up or pushing down on yard limit signs. Power routing to spurs is handled by the turnout, Lighting when setup at_home is provided by 2 row of track lights with halogen spots. Supplemental lighting for exhibitions, if required, is by a 12V halo: gen lamps with integral reflectors as used in track lighting, mounted on 1/2" elect cal conduit clamped in fittings mounted ton the rear edge of the layout. (See N Seale Railroading Magazine, Jul/Aug 2002, pas for an article on this lighting system, A= ont nbd and one Freight train per day on the narrow gauge Standard gatge traffic is not simulated but isrepresented by some stationary rol ing stock on the spur, For solo running, 1 can let train run-on the dog bone up per level while I switch the tracks in Stove Pipe Wells can observe the back track a.osed circuit BSW. TV monitor with the camera placed on the wall above and behind the layout, Children especially en joy watching the train move through the back track on the TV during exhibitions After over a year on the train, show circuit, the layout has been “retired” to my ‘up-Sairs train room, From the start of the original NTRAK module to the 10 foot hhome layout shown here was 18 months, but do not consider it complete, There is still considerable detailing that can be incorporated into the layout, and the operations flexibility of the plan provides many enjoyable hours of “playing with——eeeE 92 Section 5 by Mare Sisk ‘committed to attending the 22nd National Narrow Gauge Convention, held in Warwick, Rhode 4-8 September 2002. Along with that commitment T had also stated that T would have a Nn3 oNeTRAK module ready so that we could complete the tack plan that Jim La Baugh (Northern NTRAK) developed for the convention. Virginia The module framework structed of 4” Birch plywood ripped into 313" widths, Wood glue, screws and nails ‘were used as fasteners. Module legs are built from a 2x4 ripped in half to form s. Folding legs were built 114" square | using hinges, a cross brace and locki brackets, Two-inch pink polysty insulation foam was used for the module top and scenery base The sky board was made from 14” Birch plywood. It was finished with two coats Of artists gesso on front, followed by an application of acrylic craft paint blended for the sky color, Clouds were done with flat white paint and a stencil held at various angles and distance from the sky board. My wife Carol hand-painted the ‘mountains on the sky board using acrylic artis’ paints, The Peco Z scale track is mounted directly on the foam base. The #5 turnout ‘was built by Tom Knapp and incorporates ‘amicro switeh to control polarity through the frog. Tom is a NMRA Master Model Railroader and procluces some outstand ing Nn3 work. LZR Zt he module front and side fascia boards were made of 1/8” Ma- sonite cut to match scenery pro. file finished with a primer, then saiin black’ paint was applied. Module terrain features were formed using lan nations of polystyrene foam carved us ing a wite foam cutter and wood chisel The river shape was formed with the wir foam cutter and then a Sure Fort tool was used to smooth out the Fiver bot- tom. Rigid Weap (plaster cloth) was wed to seal the ver bottom and also stretched ver the mountains on the Ket sie of the module © help create basic shapes Rock castings wer created using molds and Hydrocal, Cast ings were applied to the, mountain on the lett and blended veith: more Hydro fal. The mountain Gn the right side ‘was carved from foam. Mountains and other fe tures were finished with acrylic artis's paints applied as a wash Trees are all hand-made using rope, and other materials, Pine trees were painted and flocked with ground foam, Other wees were made using dried flowers, Dirt roads were formed with a light color powder applied over straight Elmer's glue brushed onto the painted foam scenery base. Ground foams, drt, rocks and other textures were applied using wet water and. Scenic Cement. Gypsolite was used to cre ate the uneven ground texture. The river bottom was scaled with Hydrocal, and then painted with green-black and earth colors. The river colors we PRR RRR eke eKELK AL eR ReRAaRRARRERARLReARHReLReeeeeewith sand, talus, and. rocks. ‘Enviro tex-Lite was used to create the river The river color was made using colored tints and India ink mixed into the Envirotex-Lite mod ‘wood craftsman ‘ype bul painted. swethered’ and de tailed. The. bridge is plastic hit bu Painted and weath fred. The. fishing boat is a Model Tech Studio resin hull Ait built with many detail pars applied Ithas appropriate rigging, and is painted and weathered with cree All the structures are detailed with weathering and signs. Signs are paper or plastic cut out and applied. Some struc tures have blinds installed in the windows. People, vehicles, bicycles, trashcans, bar rels, pallets, etc. have been added to create individual scenes on the module. As an example, the vegetable cart on the side of the general store has painted vegetables in separate boxes. Workmen ate. busy repairing/painting the back of the freight ready for ther ue. Folks at the tavern are’ lookin the river to 36 the tains Ratroad crossing and speed trafic this small town A harp switch stand i installed at the turnout to the freight house, Folks are" down, by the Lying to get at the fish that his owner is holding up. Light fixtures are installed on. all structures to provide illumination over doorsand signs. verall module weathering was created using chalks, paints, washes of acrylic paints, ditt, ‘ground foams, Gypsolite, Hy drocal and other textures, Structure and road signs made from plastic or paper. Paper signs were sanded very thin, then applied to structure and weathered, The module skirt was made with cloth mate: rial and is attached to front of the module with Velcro. The module sign was created using Microsoft PowerPoint software various clipart, then printed onto glossy cardstock and mounted on foam board, Velero was secured to the back for mount ing o the module skirt Thompson Valley is not an actual loca tion. My thought was to ereate a small town feeling, The town is located in a val ley between mountain ranges. The time period is the 1950s. The nearby river pro: Vides fishing, boating, and employment ‘opportunities for the residents. Folks here know each other and are friendly. The hotel, general store, and tavern do a brisk Layouts & Modules 93 Custom Laser Cutting by Robert Ray Design your own model or special run project. Cabooses, B oxcars, any Structures You Want! 510-623-9695 pray59@ comcast.net business. Sightseeing is prime as the sur rounding mountains are havens for deer, elk, and other wildlife. The Rio Grande Railroad has a narrow gauge line that goes through the middle of town with a siding to one of its freight houses. The railroad provides employment for some residents uilding this module was tremen- dous fun. I took pictures of my progress about every week that 1 posted to the Nn3 List on Yahoo So that folks could see that I was going to make itto Providence with a mostly com: pleted module. The convention was out standing. Our Nn3 modular layout was good enough (© take third place out of Seven entties. believe the a very strong showing that Nn3 is a legitimate narrow scale with some very fine modelers.94 Section 5 by Cameron f Turner hhad been an admirer of Nn3 from afar for about 13 years, Twice before Thad started building a modular Nn3 setup to take to Ntrak shows, only to stop because 1 was unhappy with the original Ntrak Nn3 standard which used three tracks running through the module. The whole concept never looked right to me. And then in the fall of 2000, just prior to starting my third attempt at an Nn3 module, 1 came across pictures from the 2000 NMRA convention in San Jose, California, Shown at the convention was a set of Nn3-modules based on the oNeTRAK \cept. I was hooked. Out went the most recent setof plans, and a new set based on the oNeTRAK concept was begun. The stated goal was scenic completion in time for the 2001 St, Louis NMRA Convention Little did 1 know at the time that T would, arrive there with more than a scale mile of Nn3 oNeTRAK modules! Concept These modules were very much a test bed for me. I wanted to try different things, to develop my skills for future projects in Nn3, and to see what 1 could do with the oNeTRAK standard, In all, T designed fifteen modules of various sizes and configurations, Included. were two Nirak interface modules, @ third Ntrak connector module, two 30” corners (ane ‘of which is a wye module), wo 24” cor ners, three-one foot “filler” modules, three ‘wo-foot modules, and a pair of four-foot modules. Each module had a central ele ment planned into it,and many had some Provision for a switching opportunity One of these, named Lobotomy Trestle would make a good module for anyone interested in getting a startin Nn3, The central theme in Lobotomy trestle isa Micro Engineering Stee! Trestle, 18" or 240 scale feet long and about 110° above the river below. Afier deciding to make this model a focal point of the module, 1 discovered that the steel trestle at Lobato, Bhp AN tiygsyei on the modern day Clumbes and Toltec Scenic aloud as almost identical in length and height While “the style of the ‘bridges Slightly diferent, close enough to se Lobsta tion, Re 2 lend raifanning the route with me had referred. toi name for the mod Developing a Track Plan While 1 wanted to make the bridge fal point, Take decuied that would locate it towards the left end of the module, allowing me to” skew the very desirable bend in the otherwise straight “trac After entering. the module on the lef the track "curves toward the back of the module belore traversing the bridge. Midway through the module, the track again curves forward before retarn: ing to the interface location 6 inches from the front and rear of the module This design allowed for a second focal point on the right side of the module At Lobato theresa small pasing siding, and a set of eatle pens, and while these ‘would have ft in nicely T selected a mine tipple loosely based on the Ibex tipple Time constraints in preparing, for St Louis meant that this spur and mine were delayed until after the convention eo ental Model Building the Module Module construction used several weight conserving techniques that T had developed specially for these modules The front and back faces of the module were cut from 1/8” tempered Masonite. Because of the depth of the gorge for the bridge, the lower portion of the backdrop was anchored into the frame to provide vertical stiffness, The two end panels are 1 x 4 cabinet grade white pine, Two more pieces of 1 x 3 are located on each end of the canyon. A few additional cross braces of Lx Zor i x I square stock were used to _ —BEGLELESELELECEEESEEEETUESESESUeTeeeL maintain the depth (into the module) of the canyon. The wood frame of the can: yon was painted a flat black with cheap To represent the canyon, layers of styrofoam were arranged like slices of bread, back to front, instead of bottom to top, like a wedd ‘as was done elsewhere. Thus, the vertical lines of the sheets emphasize the vertical nature of the canyon. Four removable Nirak style legs are attached to the four comers of the module. The extra depth of the left tend Was used to attach the bolts approxi mately 12” apart, resulting in a module with exceptional stability The roadbed was cut from another piece of 1/8” masonite, with bevels formed at the edge to provide a proper buallasting slope. At this point, | painted the top of the module with a brown, soil colored latex paint. The underside was painted with a light tan or white colored paint so that 1 could easily write labels fon the underside of the module durin; ike to u track for bri Micro-Trains Code 55 flex ack in Nn3, finding that the tie spacing is much closer to bridge track than mainline trackage. | used Peco Code 60 flex track for the remainder of the mainline. The bridge itself was installed as a. free-standing object, dl only by the ack at act end, Both the abutments and scratch built out of taswood Color The river was acrylic caulk painted with several layers of artats pains to provide color and depth aida clear gloss medium on top for the wet look piers were The backdrop is made from a sheet of foam cove sold as a project board, To protect the backdrop, the foam core folds so that the painted side is inside While this provides an exceptionally light, backdrop, Lam concerned about the long: term wear characteristics of this piece. My sister kindly did the painting based fon elements. from Mike Danneman's ‘Scenery for Your Model Railroad.” Ground foam was added to a second coat of latex paint and secured With @ coating of diluted “wet” white glue, Rockwork was created with a thin coat of plaster and crumpled up aluminum foil rock molds, A suitable rock” color was, painted on and blended with the backdrop. Trees are \ \ Layouts & Modules 95 from a combination of Grand Central Gems and Heki pine trees, with aspen made by Jim La Baugh. Coming Modifications No good plan ever stays the same. In the push to Complete the module for the NMRA meet in St Louis, the mining spa aiid tipple were omitted, Ballisting tas also delayed until well after the show Gwen [cout be certain thatthe track was reliable, Current plans include right side ofthe module to 0 va scratch built mining tipple based fn the Ibex Tipp ouside of Lead trees to add), track to finaly balls and a plethora of details t0 add, including Tallfaaning Saskwatch. After al, a8 they Saye" Model Railroading is Eun!” «96 | Section 5 by Tom Knapp, MMR#101 test the feasibility, two of us in the NorCal Division of the Nn3 Alliance built Nn3- modules which could be taken aboard commercial airlines as carry ‘on baggage, In order to maximize the vertical space available for scenery and structures, and still fit modules within the maximum allowed dimensions for baggage, it was necessary to minimize the structural thickness of the module base The modules still had to. meet the Nn3 Module Standards (see page 84.) We developed an “ultra-light” con. struction technique which proved so successful, we have decided to adopt the technique for all our future Nn3 mod. tiles, These same techniques can be used for NTRAK modules (Irom which our group's modular standards are derived) Or for sectional home layouts, Since itsinception inthe 19705, NTRAK modules have traditionally been. made with a 1x4 wood frame, and a plywood top, This results ina very strong and rigid, but heavy, module base. In the design devised for our “carry-on” modules, the structure is composed of 1 expanded polystyrene foam hoard glued to a simple Trader frame of 1 x I pine or hardwood. (Straight Ix 1 hardwood! is avaiable at many building supply stores already cut in 125 24" 36" and 48" pieces, at very reasonable prices ~ try to use products Certified as from renewable forests) This iS trimmed on all sides with 1/8" birch ‘door skin’ plywood. This gives a finished nominal depth of 1/4" as opposed tothe Conventional 3-1/2" or more In most NTRAK-based layouts, the 1 x 4 (or equivalent plywood picecs) ends of the modules are clamped together with clamps. In modular layouts, quite bit of force can be exerted on a module as the clamps are drawn up tight, and the layout is wrested into alignment, $0 the modules structure should transfer these forces from one end to the othe. To do this the 1x1 frame is reinforced at the corner joins ‘with “metal angles, in addition to glu the joints with carpenter's glue These angles are attached tothe 1x1 frame with machine screws and nuts, the nuts being counter sunk into the wood. This. prechides the fasteners ing oF pulling out ‘over time as might happen with wood serews. TD attach my “own adjacent modules to each otherfscie applied with '4 x20 bolts Which run through the metal angles. I connect to adjacent modules built by fthers with C-clamps. The metal angles transfer tension or compression from one endl of the module to the ether through the | x I frame, and not the polystyrene surface or the trim squeal amen ve then ale to aque post icylic building adhesive, ig vetnight on alt surface (Use “environ mentally friendly” expanded polystyrene foam sich as that avilable fom Wood land Scenics tat ismade without CFCS.) The polystyrene was trimmed flush with the frame, and the exterior 1/8" wide skirt was then applied, enclosing both the frame and the foam base Jor attaching the sSyboand. Ab visible isa fender washer and screw used to old the module Comer module with fase erinmed flush with 11 fame, and 18" plywood The perimeter frame and fascia are drilled for 6-32 tee-nuts, which are embedded in the back side of the perim: eter frame along both the long. sides, These are used to attach the 1/8” plywood “sky boards” (backdrop) which also hold two modules apart and form the sides ‘of a protective "box" when transporting, Since my modules ate reversible (either side can be the “front”) T have backdrops that work when attached to cither side Note: This is pretty easy when modeling a desert scene, but may be more difficult ‘with other scenes, and may require two different backdrops, cade is cut fom 1/8 plywood, and glued tothe top ofthe foam tase Track and turnouts are he movie builder’. choke. from @ growing range of RT-R turnouts and track to turnout kits to hand laid on PC board and wood ties, with interlace con ditions as spect inthe Standards sec tion instal sal plywood panels a each tnd of my modules forthe electrical sock- ets which provide electrical continuity Between the modules, and cupshooks on the inside ace of the fx I frame fr secur ing the 12V and OV. power lines. (Due tothe “reversible” nature ofthe module, these are not permanently attached wo the module frame) | JRRRPSRREKRRRKKKRKEKKKRRKRKKRRRERAERKRKRKRRHHRHKKOR ESSThe proposed method of construction results ina basic module thickness of 1 5/4" 8 opposed tothe more conventional tr two concerns had to be addressed in desig coma sich shallow enc work: (1) the strength to resist the pul a the ends of the module exerted when 2 layout i shifted during set-up, and (2) retaining the ability to lamp the module to adjacent 4” deep modules using lamps. The first issue was addressed by w AUMLNLLTT My g g Legasem thepulling load would be transferred fom thetnd frame tothe long sie frames and through them tothe other end frame. The forimost modules asthe lear depth fom the botiom ofa typical Lx 4end frame to the bottom of the module's surface Allowed the camp to be positioned fa rough up to engage the tx I penmter frame of the ultralight modules. (I had designed smal transition pisces to allow clampingin the event the clamp could not bepostoned high enough, bul these were A typical 12" x 48” module built per these methods weighs six (6) pounds, as ‘opposed to a weight of up to twenty-two (22) pounds using more conventional 1 x and plywood methods. Ithough most of the modules built this way to-date use man tual turnout throws, easily reach- able from either side of the mod ule, for those that want to use electrically actuated under-track switch machines, the shallow depth of these modules pres ents a challenge. Fortunately, at the time these modules were being developed, As- pen Models began importing the Hoff mann motorized switch machine from Germany. (See _wwwaspenmodel.com) This isa low profil, gear driven, fully en closed machine with contacts for power routing, Its total depth is 1” It can be le in" to the expanded foam approximately using a heated metal plate to be the hest way to create the required recess. I pre-mount the switch machine on a piece ‘of 1/8” plywood, and then glue this into the recess using Liquid Nails construction adhesive, being sure to align the actuat ing arm’of the switch machine with the ‘opening in the foam below the switch’s throw bar, gs for my“carry-on” module were flbricated from #4 plywood, cach n two halves, cause i sary to stay within the beg Size limitations. For modules not traveli as carry-on baggage on an airplane, the legs can be fabricated full length. Every fone has a favorite method of construct ing legs for their modules ~ Bruce Hunt (the other NorCal modeler participat a be Detail of top en of i Dei of boutons en of aagonal brace inthe sary . legs, An important consideration with the fallow 34" deep wood frame ofthe ultra light module isto design your leg system deep Tx 4 [In the plywood ary on module’ leg, each lg dgemby includes triangular gusset brace which folds lat against the plywood le for stor age and transport, an Ts attached by Layouts & Modules | 97 screw into a tee nut to the side frame in an extended position to brace the leg. This transfers the bending forces away from the point where the leg panel i co the length of the wood frame.] nected {have ilasrated the full-height leg sys tenn use with my fal size modules which Mind success li Set-up and break-down, and easily tans portabic. Ian use ths system with my Eirry-on moxie, also. As shown, the legs are built from 1x 2 shop-primed MDF trim, This tea certified lumber product made from 83% ge-cycled wood. bers, Compressed into a fie, dense, dimension aly sable product. can fracture and Split if inadequately sized holes are used for fasteners or Hf fasteners are driven in too close ton edge, but its ideal when used in compression sin these legs. The legs are tied together with 's" hardwood dbwels, and braces with more of the 1 <2 MDF material. The legs are st up, fn hel pc ofp ofthe leg assembly, with x1 module frame members indexing with the notches in the top of the legs. The mode “locks oto the legassembly using neodymiuin “supe magnets" hot glued into the notch at the tops of the legs: They arc used in computer hard drives, and are avaiable through surplus electronics outfits such as “The Eletiric Goldmine” and "All Electronics The ones purchased came ghicd! to metal brackets -& sharp whack on the back of the bracket with & small hammer breaks the glue bond, in some cases breaking the mnognet as wel However, even half of one Of these magnets i adequate to firmly hold the leg in place. ‘These magnets engage Ys 1-1/2" metal “spice plates” crab at all hardware stores which are attiched at each mating location. In this p system design, the fending forces ae isolated from the module and transferred from one leg assembly to the other by the stveig per magnets” in metal bracket, and as removed from brace painted finished leg assemblies satin black to prevent people from being, ik distracted while viewing the module although at meets our group hangs & black drape around the base of the to obstruct the view under the layout. =98 | Section 5 - 5 — “ “ia Tex Rosas 7 bg} pt tt ‘ick Sytoam -Gve Fasc ang 11 Ww Wal Pana Grace Consaseus Acroive 118 Mick Se Bnd Fascia {end Fase tena) TOP VIEW ‘14x20 Machine Bot (622 Tea nut For Sioa (Use C-Crp Far wosulos (Boer ses sits trond Eng Wirout Bt Fes) 2 te t aia verb saewen / »——1o—— rer —-) Be ‘Soles Paes Be al BOTTOM VIEW [i Top ae tom ot Syboet for 82 ‘tek syooam- Cue eFasai and x1 jg gn et i | a —] ifhie te ean wets Joey \é ———SS ST! “Two Modules Can 8¢ Transported Tagether tox meses? coumpecenea tiie END VIEW velar meee ! SECTION A-A J resiesonerncoreea 1", TR Kose "ULTRA-LIGHT" Nn3 MODULE meeLayouts & Modules 99 E oe ° ' k pre ty 2 j ] 5 2 “18 Cotter Pin ’ 1x2 Typical: + 105/16" - o pores age SA eee com 2 YY, S voir , = ‘ 1 4 1 ° / ° ° \ do ° ig i eT ° ve = 7 P 18" Fascia 2 Both Sees » ‘ » the acre bya 2 Womeson-67H6 | ° *syoan ° , : 2 7} 26" ° ‘ 2 1 2 ; ' ° sm 7 F ° , e - ze ™ + 2 um view @FFF FFT F TTT TTT UU eee Ue eee Ue eee eee N x x \\\ \ \\ A N 100 Section 584 | Section 4 Modules Nn3 MODULE TRACK & BENCH WORK STANDARDS —_Nn3 MODULE ELECTRICAL STANDARDS hlotaca cndtone wh aca mls Tach Losbon Saber, a exe Onno provng ees pone nape ove se Bae ‘ora sw Raa Sc ns sn 3 ireactiagt Ra ET ~ feck eeprsomecono aoe "Tork Septet Fer ny =e fe nowieg by resis gone: BOTTOM VIEW OF "REVERSIBLE" MODULE Poet Peat BOTTOM VIEW OF NTRAK oNeTRAK MODULE Sopataod Fo Cary SS pt Te’ Nu fer Go See" Layouts § Modules® | = 9g od Shin, TRACK PATCH CORDS: hawt Shoot THROTTLE CONNECTION CORDS. al 1x3 7] lero eet Sr” Equipment Couplers Motor Wiring Any coupler is permitted. Micro-Trains NZ couplers are Motors should be wired o when the standard for interchange ofthe locomotive (right sie) ls post forward om the engincersside the locomotive moves 0.154" Top of Rail Forward 3.9mm. Wwe 0.010" 25mm,