Lessons Learned

With packing and planning for our move, my thoughts have turned to lessons learned from the 4th Subdivision built in the attic of our current house. I think that I have learned a lot and improved my skillset as a model railroader through working on this model railroad and through my friendships with others in Division 12. With the upcoming move, I will have a chance to start over reflecting on what worked well, what I would do differently, and how I see myself now as a model railroader. 

One initial and central thought is to be more aware of the space in which the layout will be built from the beginning. Many times I found myself putting off working on the railroad because the attic was too hot or cold. As I started joining groups of other railroaders and forming friendships, I learned that I might be less of a lone wolf than I initially thought. Having visitors or holding open houses and small operations sessions are definite possibilities (as we hopefully move out of our pandemic situation), so I need to consider the comfort of the space in which I will be working as well as allowing space for others to join me right from the beginning. As my wife and I search for our new home, space for the railroad is one of our "must haves." 

Whether it is already finished or finishing the space will be a first task, the railroad space will need to be comfortable. Heating and  cooling the train room will be a major consideration. Headspace, moisture, lighting, access to electrical outlets, dust prevention, aesthetic considerations, and having sufficient space available will all factor in. While I don't want focusing exclusively on improving the train environment  to prevent me from starting the railroad in a reasonable amount of time, I don't want to repeat the same mistakes I have made in the past. Theoretically I learned from the attic layout that not having suitable HVAC or more than one outlet were hard to rectify after the railroad construction was well under way. 

Coved corner and 24" radius with easement

When we are far enough along with the move that I can turn to planning the railroad in a new space, I will be starting with a foundation of what worked well operationally and aesthetically with my current attic railroad. The setting and type of operations will be very similar. The aisle way of 44" worked out well. Even with bill boxes, control panels, and throttle holders attached to the fascia, a clear 36" was maintained in the main "U" shaped section. (The too-tight section at the top of the stairs to the attic broke that minimum even after a rebuild.) Having coved corners in the bottom of the "U" made for backdrops that did create the illusion of distance and disguise the corner. The shadowbox look with fascia and valance that I was aiming for helped mitigate the sloped ceiling of the attic; keeping a museum/theatre approach is my intention. My trackwork and electrical minimum standards worked pretty well. Powering the frogs and soldering the feeders under the rails led to attractive and trouble free running. The minimum standards of 24" radius curves and #6 switches for the mainline and #5 for spurs will be maintained, although broader curves do look more authentic. 

Existing scenic divide situation to be avoided

When I added a scenic divide, first to staging and then into Green Rock as seen in the photo, several situations occurred that I do not want to accept in any new plans. First, aesthetically, coved corners are a must. The seam in the sky at a ninety degree corner should not be allowed in future plans. Secondly, no empty space exists between two operationally active scenes with this situation. To switch cars in Green Rock, they have to break through the wall and operate in Willow Junction, which is supposedly miles away. In my current thinking, I need a new standard of at least a train length of distance between active switching locations, as well as between a scenic divide and active switching. Another change from my current standards will be to at least consider enlarging the train length from five cars to seven or eight. 

Continuing to be cognizant of what was successful and what didn't work as well in my initial attic layout when I begin planning for "Version 2" of the 4th Subdivision of the Cascade Division of the Great Northern will hopefully lead to it being more enjoyable to work on and operate either by myself or with a small group of fellow enthusiasts.