Modules completed... Finally

Truth to be told, I didn't post a lot of pictures because I wanted to pour my energy into actually building the layout instead of editing photos, writing text and posting. I know myself, if I don't stay focussed on a short amount of time, I'll loose my rhythm!

That said, thing are progressing smoothly according to my planned schedule. Building the frame took more than two intense weeks of work.

Yesterday, I painted the modules and later assembled them. I'm happy to report they are as level as I could wish. I'm truly happy no alignment occured. It was my first time using this waffle frame module technic and I didn't start with the easiest geometric shapes.

I also make legs to support the layout. This is an original design by myself and Louis-Marie. The only shortcoming is I should have followed his advice and used 3" pipe instead of 2". I wanted to save a few bucks but it will end up costing more to fix up. I have the choice of addind diagonal bracing or use larger diameter pipes. It's a little flexible as it is right now, not enough to derail car, but enough to be annoying. If new larger diameter legs are up to my standard, I'll probably make a  special article about how to build them. They cost less than 10$ each. Similar looking amovible steel legs can cost up to 100$ each and more in retail.

Layout top is at 51" above floor. It's a good compromise between realistic view and reachability. I'm not very tall, about 5'5", so that's my maximum. My only advice is that a layout should never be higher than your armpit if your are doing intensive operation or track are far from the fascia (which is the case with Harlem Station. Anyway, I'll keep a standstool under the layout ready for such action. We already do that at the club layout and it works well.

Today, I'm gluing 1" styrofoam to raise the terminal above Harlem river (benchwork top). A layer of cork will be glued to get a firm submaterial that can hold nails.

More progress

No picture this time, but steady progress on the modules as both are now completely assembled. Only a few reinforcing blocks need to be glued here and there to ensure the modules are braced enough to survive gravity and handling.

If everything goes as planned, I should be able to seal them with paint before the week end. My goal is still to add styrofoam, fascia and general landform during the weekend.

It would be great to start building the layout during weekend. I sure hope too. That would mean track laying could start during next week.

Building Modules & Tugboat Progress

 
I started to build the waffle frame modules using 1/4" lauan plywood. The shapes are weird but construction is going fairly well. But it does take a long time.

While waiting glue to dry, I continue to work on the tugboat, mainly the superstructure. I found out that Chicago had a very low wheelhouse during its steam power era but it was given a few additional feet in height when converted to diesel. I don't know why, but it would mean it wasn't working on Harlem River after the conversion... On another hand, the higher wheelhouse wasn't as high as "normal" ones. Maybe it still navigated the river. No definite answer there.

Erie "Chicago" Tugboat - Part 1

In preparation to build a new layout centered on Erie's Harlem Station in NYC, I decided to kitbash a Lindberg Coast Guard tugboat we didn't use on our club layout.

I could have built it as is, but I know myself and decided to tweak it a little bit... and finally it ended a plain bashing session.

Sanding down "wooden" details

The prototype is named Chicago: a 1913 tugboat built and modified to navigate Harlem River. The Lindberg hull is almost a perfect match and thus worth the effort. The plastic model is a wooden ship, but I sanded down the wood plank texture to make it a steel vessel.

The hull was cut on my table saw to get a waterline model. Each half was securely glued on a plank of lauan 1/8" plywood before the surgery. Extreme caution must be exerted. It is a small operation, but plastic is always unpredictable under the blade.

Main modifications include lenghtening the superstructure, removing the winch and bashing the wheelhouse. I'll also have to bash the steam stack (round) into a diesel one (ovale).

BTW, Lindberg label the kit as 1/72, but I did extensive measurement and I can say the only 1/72 are the sailor figures!

Final Plan

Here's the final plan... a least!

It took me some time to affinite it, using many photographs and maps. In fact, I overlayed several maps and aerial photographs to get a track layout that fits exactly the real piece of land.

Turnouts are PECO Setrack 240 and Streamline Small Radius. They are the closer to the real trackage that could be found at Harlem Station.

I went overboard with details, wanting every turnouts, tracks and buildings to be exactly located were they stood. The error margin is quite insignificant on this plan and I feel this is probably the most accurate map of Harlem Station that can be found. It will be a pleasure to share my work with others who could need it.

Tomorrow, I'll received the material to build the modules. I hope I'll have enough time to get it done over the week end.

Also, I'm still wondering if the cork overlay is really needed. I wouldn't mind getting rid of excess material to make the layout as light as possible.

My Chicago tugboat is also progressing at my satisfaction. I was able to find a excellent lateral view of the ship. However, it was prior the diesel-conversion and I must admit they changed many things on the superstructure while performing this work.