tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:29:22 +0000Layout RoomOther PlansDesignPrototypeNMRAResearchReal-lifeMisc.MotivationOperationsConstructionConceptThis site is dedicated to the construction of my N-scale based Conrail layout. I've changed themes from doing Conrail's Harrisburg Line to a more freelanced Conrail line, focusing the railroad on mountain railroading in the Appalachians/Alleghenies, to be termed the Charleston and Potomac. It is roughly based on a "what-if" of the Kanawah and Michigan meeting the (ill-conceived) Chesapeake Western.http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/noreply@blogger.com (Phil D)Blogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-6372224043478276434Sat, 03 Mar 2012 16:25:00 +00002012-03-03T11:25:24.632-05:00Real-lifeDesignWell, as is life, something comes up that helps to narrow benchwork profiles down. I had been playing with a single-level plan that would require a lift-out section to enter the layout and a section that could be removable to get to the storage side since I probably only go there to get decorations or a tool or two every now and then. Well, also on that side is our furnace and hot water heater. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/ObFNSu4NnO0/one-option-removed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2012/03/one-option-removed.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-4530417538316594309Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:56:00 +00002012-02-28T13:56:24.877-05:00DesignSo in part of my re-examining the layout, I went back to my trusted XTrackCad to do some train length viewing. I chose a typical Amtrak train, coal train, a few intermodal train mixes, auto parts train, generic box car and tank car sets. Clicking on the picture will give you a bigger picture of it so that you can also see the labels. I had always done 8 feet as the max train size. Looking http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/CeF_R9dFk1k/train-legnths.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2012/02/train-legnths.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-9060070024623157714Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:36:00 +00002012-02-28T11:47:59.516-05:00Misc.DesignMotivationWell, it's probably time for my annual "where do I want to go with the layout" post. However, I think this year is a bit different. You see, in mid-January I welcomed my 2nd daughter into the world. With the joy of her birth also came the realization that time, money, resources, will be harder to come by then they were with just one child. I also keep looking at the double deck benchwork and go "http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/fLS0m16lDV0/starting-over-maybe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)1http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2012/02/starting-over-maybe.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-3242712400876466159Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:19:00 +00002011-12-20T14:19:58.938-05:00ConceptDesignSo I wanted to throw up a little bit more on what my line of thinking was when I wrote the post this morning. Here's how I envision the staging/transition between decks working: as you can see, staging will run against the back of the level all the way around. In the configuration I have above, I can get 4, 200"+ tracks, good enough to slot 8 trains, leaving the 5th one free for loop running.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/d4fFVkBh4cc/more-detail-on-staging-concept.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/12/more-detail-on-staging-concept.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-1060840482639120432Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:03:00 +00002011-12-20T09:26:23.940-05:00ConceptDesignI was looking through some updates of other layouts and MRP after MNF last night and had an ahah moment so ignore everything I've said in my last few posts. I've been inspired by Shaun and his layout and staging loop. I was at the point over the last few days I was ready to just tear everything down and look at building something quick, easy and cheap. Looking at Shaun's layout, I was http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/W14-hdbmypU/hold-phone-finding-inspiration-at-1-am.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/12/hold-phone-finding-inspiration-at-1-am.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-2463788649600542898Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:41:00 +00002011-12-17T12:41:31.990-05:00DesignSo after much playing around with the space, I've decided I'm going to go with the stub ended L-shaped staging. Unfortunately, this inverts the direction of traffic flow so I'm going to have to readjust the design slightly or just build the yard and figure out everything else. The deciding factor was the last few days of moving some furniture pieces from the workshop on the other side up the http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/wsQ1DlVu4ZQ/staging-decision.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/12/staging-decision.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-994695189476386494Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:26:00 +00002011-11-15T07:54:17.851-05:00DesignI'm at the completion of one of my home projects and nearing the time for outside help to come in to finish off the other (read plumbing) so I turned my attention back to the basement this past weekend. I cleaned up the entire workshop side of the basement, moving anything and everything layout related to the layout side. Then I started to look at what I had built already for the layout. Over thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/aqCDEd61E9k/decisions-decisions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/11/decisions-decisions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-3459116649110621907Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:44:00 +00002011-09-14T15:44:48.749-04:00Misc.NMRAMotivationIt's always good to find something to re-energize yourself in this hobby. This past weekend I attended the NJ Division's meet which was only a town or two over from me. While I missed one of the clinics due to finishing up some house stuff, I was able to catch another and peruse some of the offerings at the swap tables and just take in the whole atmosphere of the local meet as it was my first http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/1iF3XQQRd7U/getting-motivated.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/09/getting-motivated.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-4295513150120904827Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:27:00 +00002011-08-29T15:27:14.535-04:00Misc.DesignWhat an eventful week it's been. First, an earthquake in central Virginia for which I felt the affects in my house in NJ and even had some cracked drywall tape joints. Then Irene comes of the coast and while I was prepared, thankfully, at least my house, nothing of consequence occurred except for me draining the pool then when I turned it on last night I forgot it was on backwash. I did remember http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/AOSnY1UcwyY/irene-ruts-and-getting-back-in-saddle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/08/irene-ruts-and-getting-back-in-saddle.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-8229272149284422440Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:15:00 +00002011-08-01T21:16:14.522-04:00Misc.Just a quick update. I'm still here but as the summer has gone, I"ve been doing lots of DIY housework which has allowed me zero time in the basement to work on the layout. I took almost 3 weeks of vacation over the summer thinking I could get all the things I"m doing around the house done in 2 of them and spend the other 1 relaxing and working on the layout. Needless to say, I should've taken 4 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/xF4gdId7pXg/still-here-but-stuck-in-bathroom-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/08/still-here-but-stuck-in-bathroom-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-6459039539016561811Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:44:00 +00002011-06-29T12:44:11.738-04:00DesignI've updated the Layout Plan. I've decided the first level is going to be my industrial level, much like the current West Virginia Secondary is heavily laden with industry west of Dickinson yard, mostly chemical plants represented by the ones at Belle and Nitro. I also put a Brewery at South Charleston because, well, we all need a brewery on the layout. In addition, there's a small TV yard at thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/qDBq2bFXyik/layout-plan-update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/06/layout-plan-update.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-7871903174206744956Thu, 26 May 2011 11:39:00 +00002011-05-26T12:43:33.200-04:00Other PlansDesignEvery now and then someone on a mailing list or forum I subscribe to posts a design challenge. Chris Abbott, co-host of Model Rail Radio, put out a design challenge to its mailing list earlier this month on coming up with a design using the same square footage of a 4x8 sheet of plywood, but not necessarily just the square sheet. I took up the challenge and made a few quick decisions. I thought http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/Z_RY2uPjpbc/nice-diversion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/05/nice-diversion.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-3181532249493525631Tue, 17 May 2011 12:35:00 +00002011-05-17T08:35:24.106-04:00ConstructionI realized I hadn't put up a new post in a while. Mostly that's because I haven't done a ton of work and I waffled somewhat, almost to the point of taking down the two decks and going with a single one. Luckily, I have a wise wife that said just build on what you got, stop over-thinking. So the progress that has been made so far is centered around backdrops. I cut up a bunch of pieces of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/9TAR4Mn1jHk/layout-progress-may-16-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/05/layout-progress-may-16-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-7085939551375186790Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:56:00 +00002011-03-27T22:56:01.933-04:00ConstructionDesignI didn't get much more in the way of construction done on the layout, however, after talking with a few guys who have built multi-deck layouts, I decided to paint/prime the 2nd level. I was told that this would help in the lighting of the lower deck by reflecting the light back down. I spent the last few days of the week and some time this weekend priming the second level. Here are some photos: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/hMt5GCkBYEE/layout-progress-march-27-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)4http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/03/layout-progress-march-27-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-3249878199639356843Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:52:00 +00002011-03-16T20:53:21.839-04:00DesignI've updated the Layout Plan, calling it version 1.0 (everything's been a 0.X up until now). Take a look at the Layout Plan page.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/VLGw53xoBqA/layout-plan-updated.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/03/layout-plan-updated.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-5752079732309075286Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:24:00 +00002011-03-14T07:24:36.614-04:00ConstructionThis past weekend marked a milestone in this layout's building: the completion of all major benchwork. I finally built the helix base, something I've put off until plans were much more finalized. The base is just 2x4s with the center space being 24"x24", just large enough to pop-up in. The bottom is about 30" off the floor so it'll be a crawl into, but hopefully after construction those http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/G0HlS0qK8X4/layout-progress-march-14-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/03/layout-progress-march-14-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-8508921587469319926Sun, 27 Feb 2011 02:18:00 +00002011-02-26T21:18:49.056-05:00OperationsDesignSometimes the ideas are right there in front of you but you just need someone to give it to you straight. And there's nothing better than getting that from someone who's well versed in pseudo-prototype route creation in an IM session around midnight. After some much needed refocusing, I came through my series of IMs with Ed that the line I'm representing would really only have enough traffic to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/aVGWZMncSZQ/staging-compromise.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/02/staging-compromise.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-2706326388286479967Sat, 26 Feb 2011 02:39:00 +00002011-02-25T21:44:48.995-05:00DesignSo I've reached the point in my benchwork construction that I really need to have a firm plan/vision of where I want to go with the layout when it comes to things like staging, transition between decks, etc. To this end, I had developed what I call a simplified plan, which is linked to on the Design page of this site.The one thing I kept looking at there was that the helix took up quite a bit of http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/UcvBvXqzStQ/decisions-decisions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/02/decisions-decisions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-1947088927651160157Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:55:00 +00002011-02-17T07:56:50.149-05:00ConstructionDesignCall this the one step forward, two steps back update. As you may have noticed, I haven't updated the site on progress much this year. Quite frankly, it was from a lack of anything substantial to report. For some reason, after the holidays and all the family stuff was over, I was not motivated to go down into the basement to work on the layout, even though I was so close to being ready to lay http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/_XEG7vZGvu8/layout-progress-february-17-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/02/layout-progress-february-17-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-7285023528922838248Mon, 24 Jan 2011 04:02:00 +00002011-01-23T23:02:17.400-05:00ConstructionDesignHappy New Year everyone! It's been over a month since my last post and while there were a few steps back, progress has been made on the benchwork construction. After having a few people comment on the closeness of the tops of my peninsula supports to my HVAC, I trimmed the tops of the 10 supports closest to the ducts. I then started to rebuild those sections. After really looking at my staging http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/L1d_KXZQnC4/layout-progress-january-23-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2011/01/layout-progress-january-23-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-6123688266182054976Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:56:00 +00002010-12-13T10:56:37.135-05:00ConstructionI didn't get as much done this week due to every member of the family being sick at one point during the week and myself this past weekend. I also still haven't done my Christmas shopping or put up lights. What I did get done is the last peninsula's free standing benchwork up. I did have to modify some things to make sure I had at least 2" of clearance between the HVAC ducts and the top plate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/pofNFQ97hSk/layout-progress-december-13-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)2http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2010/12/layout-progress-december-13-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-5699509066851712942Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:19:00 +00002010-12-05T22:19:30.485-05:00ConstructionThis week was a pretty productive week. It wasn't as productive as I wanted, but I got pretty close to where I thought I would be. Last time I posted, I had a goal of getting the other 2 free standing sections up by this weekend. Well, I got one of two up, but have all the pieces cut for the other one. Earlier this week, I built the support bases for the two sections: I used the same method I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/ICbUuy98RHk/layout-progress-december-5-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2010/12/layout-progress-december-5-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-5737687531694087558Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:47:00 +00002010-11-29T09:47:01.669-05:00ConstructionLast week I had built the base for what I'm calling the right peninsula. Over the course of the week, I built a jig to help in building the support posts and joists for the free-standing areas. Here's a picture of that jig: I then tested this out building one support/joist combination: Once I felt comfortable with this, I built the other 9 needed for the peninsula. I then cut all the wood I http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/piR4KSpf-jQ/layout-progress-november-29-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)4http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2010/11/layout-progress-november-29-2010.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-3635405291464160347Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:29:00 +00002010-11-22T13:29:46.582-05:00DesignSo I'm slowly creeping towards completing all base benchwork for the layout itself and need to finalize either my design, or at the very least, how many helices I'll have to build. The big question for me is what to do with staging. I've been looking at ways to have the staging below the 1st level, out in the open but looped, etc. I've probably done more designs on just my staging arrangement http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/7z4aZcjW8Xc/staging-decision.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2010/11/staging-decision.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3057974354033407587.post-5907262277505883231Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:20:00 +00002010-11-22T12:20:31.214-05:00ConstructionI had a light weekend of work this week, but did manage to build one of the 3 (for now) free standing supports. This one was for the peninsula. It is comprised of 4 legs which are 2 2x4s joined by an L-girder on top of it and 1x2 bracing. Then the legs are joined by L-girders, which are pointed inward to give a more solid foundation to the legs. The end legs are approximately 12" in from the endshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ConrailHarrisburgLine-NScale/~3/Ko-KXAuYNrY/layout-progress-november-22-2010.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Phil D)0http://www.conrailharrisburgline.org/2010/11/layout-progress-november-22-2010.html