Benchwork - First Steps

While I jumpstarted building benchwork earlier this fall by preparing a corner for a backdrop "how-to" presentation, putting it into action in the attic is happening just now.

After moving to Northwest Pennsylvania last summer, I found myself somewhat in limbo as far as my participation in the NMRA activities.  Because of my new address I was assigned to a division of the Niagara Frontier Region that was "inactive." Before much time passed I found that the NMRA National reassigned the members of the affected counties to two divisions of the Mid Central Region. In joining my new train group: The Western Reserve Division, Division 5 of the Mid Central Region, my first participation was to prepare a presentation on backdrops for their annual "Building A Model Railroad" event. I shared my bare-bones corner with a hardboard backdrop and created a handout of backboard ideas (located on Backboard Overview  page).

Flash forward six weeks. After building a second section of open grid benchwork and setting it up in place, I realized that I had misjudged (by a few inches) the size of layout that would fit under the roof rafters given the benchwork and backboard height I desired. So, in the last few days I have:

• Installed a permanent L-girder ledger  
• Started mocking up the plan in place on the layout

• Redrew the track plan with an adjusted bottom to the "U"

Electrical Standards

In planning and starting initial construction of the attic U-shaped switching layout, I am realizing that all aspects of the layout design must be considered from the beginning. I have built one side and one corner of the open grid benchwork sections in order to mock up and finalize the small yard and interchange track plan. By taking the next step of tying them together with seamless backdrops or attaching the corner to the wall I will lose the ability to flip them on their sides to work on the underside. So, to not get too far ahead of myself, I need to plan the wiring or at least establish electrical standards or norms for the layout while I can still comfortably work on wiring.

As a starting point, I will be using the NCE Power Pro system I had in Seattle for running my modules at home. I will be using Peco Electrofrog turnouts for this section of the railroad. While I will drill holes for switch machines, I am planning on operating the yard turnouts by hand so I ordered a DCC Hex Frog Juicer from Tam Valley Depot to power the frogs. Another starting point is the one "module" that made the move across the country with us was a 4' staging module that will be the East Staging for the layout.

As it will switch in orientation from "left" end to "right end and potentially needs all three busses, this staging module is a logical place to implement the electrical standards for the new layout. 

The staging yard currently has no track feeders, Atlas turnouts with Tortoise switch motors powered by 12 volts DC, and a rudimentary control panel on the "wrong" side. It needs a DCC bus and feeders to each of the tracks; a DC bus, power to the switch motors, and control panel; and a Cab bus fascia panel. It is a logical place to implement new wiring standards and work to improve my skills.

In researching, reading, and evaluating my current resources this weekend I have come up with standards for the DCC bus:

• Bus: Red and Black, #14 wire
• Track "polarity": Black out
• Feeder: Red and Black #22 
• IDC #905 (Micromark #84022) Red "Suitcase" connectors
• Terminal strips, soldered spade lugs, and molex plugs to provide continuity across the bus

I have not yet finalized my plans for power districts/circuit breakers for the system as a whole,  the details of the DC bus, or the schematic for the staging control panel (turnout control plus power off/on and indicator for each track). That will have to wait for a later post.

Rationale for the Railroad Part 2

After heart surgery, retiring from teaching, and moving from Seattle to the town in which I grew up in Northwest Pennsylvania in 2015, I am planning a model railroad in the attic. Following the ideas of Byron Henderson and Lance Mindhiem, the initial attic layout will be a switching layout with a small yard and an interchange track. While freelanced, it is influenced by the Third Subdivision of the Cascade Division of the Great Northern Railway. I am setting this initial layout  in the early 1950's, based largely on equipment I collected as part of a modular group in Seattle.

BNSF on former Third Subdivision Line

One thing that I have learned from my experiences with modular railroading is that I find switching to be much more enjoyable than running a train around and around. Byron Henderson makes a case for operational "Fun For One" on a small layout to be based on several elements. A central one is diversity in operator roles, hence the inclusion of a small yard and industrial switching in this initial plan.  Henderson suggests that industrial switching and yard switching incorporate two different thought processes, not just two different roles. His other elements: variety, unpredictability, and a fair degree of challenge apply more directly to planning for operations rather than planning the physical layout.

In addition to planning the initial attic layout to be fun to operate, I am intending to use it to work towards the "Master Builder Scenery" Certificate as part of the NMRA Achievement Program. At 33 square feet (plus staging) it will meet the size requirements. The tentative plan includes ideas and locations for background industries, foreground industries, and natural terrain. I am planning a layout height of approximately 48" with 12" backdrops. The benchwork will be open grid, built in sections for ease of construction and flexibility for future changes. While I am making scale track  and construction plans, I am finding the need to start actual work and move towards mockups of the layout in the attic.

Rationale for the Railroad Part 1

Iain Rice, one of my favorite layout designers, suggests that planning begin with a Layout Rationale that contains the "context and character" of the layout. My layout will be based on the Great Northern and the Puget Sound and Baker River, but it will be freelanced. While working with a rather freewheeling modular group in Seattle (aren't they all), I started researching the Third Subdivision of the Cascade Division and logging railroads of Skagit County in the 1920's to scratch my historical accuracy itch.

 Living in the 21st century with the amazing wealth of information from the internet, one can still learn from swap meet finds and published books. A road trip to the actual location adds another layer to the research.

Despite having a good start on the kind of research needed for prototype modeling, I am choosing not to follow that track. I have three goals that I think I can achieve (more easily?) by following a "freelanced based on prototype" approach:

1. Create a small layout that is fun to operate with just one or two people in a reasonable amount of time.
2. Explore the NMRA Achievement program by working towards "Master Builder Scenery"
3. Use my HO transition era equipment collected over the years

Introduction

My HO model railroad, the Puget Sound and Badger River Railway along with an associated branch line of the Great Northern, is freelanced but based on the Third Subdivision of the Cascade Division of the Great Northern running between Anacortes and Rockland, Washington and the Puget Sound and Baker River Railway.  My goal for this blog is to share the planning, construction, and operation of this small layout.