Ingleton: A Small and Simple Shelf

 

As mentioned as a possibility in my last post, while still in design mode for the new 4th Subdivision, I have started a small "practice plank" as a first layout in the basement. In addition to engaging in active modeling, Ingleton will provide an opportunity for self analysis for the strategic planning needed for the design of the larger layout, and perhaps more importantly review and practice existing skill as well as learn new ones. This shelf is a bit less than a foot deep and six feet long, so it will definitely be small and simple. 

In mounting what Lance Mindheim calls "the board of education," I realized that a finished look with a museum or theatre approach is important to me. The use of a backdrop is also important as I clearly want to look at the layout as a 3D artwork. While Ingleton will not have coved corners, even with a "practice" layout, presentation and backdrop are critical to my enjoyment and approach to model railroading. 

With this simple shelf railroad, I wanted to be able to use it as both an Inglenook switching puzzle and at other times more prototypically with the inclusion of a background building/industry and team track. In either case I will be limited to moving rolling stock from one track to another. My plan has been to use some of the truss rod and other "too old for the 1950s" rolling stock that I have collected, here on the Ingleton shelf. Using the 0-6-0 switcher and the largest truss rod reefers I determined the length of the sidings on a quick sketch rather than drawing an accurate track plan. 

I started mocking up the Inglenook track plan on the plank after allowing room for a background structure and using the track lengths that I had calculated. My first version had a slight curve between the two turnouts creating a problematic "S" curve. After thinking about it overnight and looking through Lance Mindheim's book, How to Design a Model Railroad, I noticed his guideline of straight track between curves and turnouts of four to six inches. I then redid my full size mock- up, and by moving the location of the turnouts, I was able to use straight track between the two turnouts and leading into and out of the turnouts on the second mock-up. 

From the track taped in place, I marked centerlines with pencil dots, ends of turnouts, and head block locations. Then I connected the dots using a straightedge and a single piece of cork to pencil in smooth curves. I double checked distances and extended the head block and end of turnout lines, so that the marks could be seen after the cork was installed. 

My most recently accomplished step was to glue down the cork following the center lines of the track plan. As I didn't have any turnout pads on hand, I used a fresh blade in a utility knife and was able to fashion the turnout areas fairly smoothly. I described this process in a much earlier blog post. As mentioned in that post, even though I am not planning on using switch machines, I went ahead and drilled slots/holes for the turnout machine actuating rods in case I ever change my mind. Next steps will be prepping the two turnouts, wiring the frogs and feeders, and laying the track. 

Learning Points:

• Backdrops and presentation are important to me
• Mocking up in full size is helpful
• Operations style is important from the begining in planning
• Add minimum straight transitions between curves and turnouts