Post by mlehman on May 1, 2016 7:19:14 GMT -8
My layout isn't really a double-deck, more like a nolix that just grew. There's even less ready, reach-in access than a full second deck would have. To make this work, I designed and built it from the top down. I had to be able to reach in and build the lower level or to access the underside of the upper level. So there are many liftouts. When I built the Cascade Extension, about 75% of its scenery was built as liftouts, making life much easier in general when building and doing maintenance.
Most of my scenery is built-up on a extruded styrofoam base, carved and covered with Sculptamold. The combination makes the liftouts strong, but light. In a few places, due to tight clearances, I used Cripplebush Valley Models Rubber Rocks to gain a thin, flexible surface that is realistic and holds up well to being used on liftouts.
I'm prepping the layout for several ops session before and after the NMRA National Convention in Indianapolis in early July. OPSIG is organizing these, so if interested you can sign up for sessions on the Silverton Union RR and D&RGW Four Corners Division. The need to adjust the throw on a Tortoise at Rockwood created the opportunity to "take it all off" to show how what I've just been describing fits together.
First are two pics of the ~6' long main liftout under Rockwood and behind Hesperus, below and in front of Rockwood. Here it is on the floor in the main aisle, first so you can see the underlying armature of pink foam, then the other side covered in Rubber Rocks.
Other liftouts fit at both of its ends. The one on the floor here was the only one that also needed removed, a little less than 3' long.
That provides plenty of access...
Although it also required moving the May Day tipple and a few other items to gain access.
In this pic, you can see how close the lower and upper deck are and why I needed the thinness of the Rubber Rocks for the rock wall separating them.
I probably could've reached the problem Tortoise from underneath, but I have a wall of boxes for various cars and locos under there that would need moved. And it's easier to reach in, rather than reach up. So the access is nice to have where you can stand and work. Off in the distance, you can see where the empties in/loads out track for the May Day Mine disappears under the neighboring liftout.
The offending turnout (to the mill pond dump track) is roughly in the center of this pic, between the track the centercab is on and the one with the cars on it in the background that takes off from the turnout.
Here's a pic of the Tortoise, showing how easy it is to reach it with the liftout gone.
In this case, the slide that serves as the throw rod pivot was only about halfway down the track it rides in. Sliding it down to the bottom of its travel made the points throw reliably again. A simple 30 second fix that made the 20 minutes or so taking it all off and then reinstalling worth the trouble.
This pic shows how the big liftout sits in its spot and then rotates back into place.
Back together again.
I also needed to rerail a coal train due to a cat incident. Here, a liftout right next to Cascade Falls helps out.
Track is dense here. The dual gauge visible track in front has two mine tracks plus the hidden main behind it.
With the liftout back in place, everything is running well.
Most of my scenery is built-up on a extruded styrofoam base, carved and covered with Sculptamold. The combination makes the liftouts strong, but light. In a few places, due to tight clearances, I used Cripplebush Valley Models Rubber Rocks to gain a thin, flexible surface that is realistic and holds up well to being used on liftouts.
I'm prepping the layout for several ops session before and after the NMRA National Convention in Indianapolis in early July. OPSIG is organizing these, so if interested you can sign up for sessions on the Silverton Union RR and D&RGW Four Corners Division. The need to adjust the throw on a Tortoise at Rockwood created the opportunity to "take it all off" to show how what I've just been describing fits together.
First are two pics of the ~6' long main liftout under Rockwood and behind Hesperus, below and in front of Rockwood. Here it is on the floor in the main aisle, first so you can see the underlying armature of pink foam, then the other side covered in Rubber Rocks.
Other liftouts fit at both of its ends. The one on the floor here was the only one that also needed removed, a little less than 3' long.
That provides plenty of access...
Although it also required moving the May Day tipple and a few other items to gain access.
In this pic, you can see how close the lower and upper deck are and why I needed the thinness of the Rubber Rocks for the rock wall separating them.
I probably could've reached the problem Tortoise from underneath, but I have a wall of boxes for various cars and locos under there that would need moved. And it's easier to reach in, rather than reach up. So the access is nice to have where you can stand and work. Off in the distance, you can see where the empties in/loads out track for the May Day Mine disappears under the neighboring liftout.
The offending turnout (to the mill pond dump track) is roughly in the center of this pic, between the track the centercab is on and the one with the cars on it in the background that takes off from the turnout.
Here's a pic of the Tortoise, showing how easy it is to reach it with the liftout gone.
In this case, the slide that serves as the throw rod pivot was only about halfway down the track it rides in. Sliding it down to the bottom of its travel made the points throw reliably again. A simple 30 second fix that made the 20 minutes or so taking it all off and then reinstalling worth the trouble.
This pic shows how the big liftout sits in its spot and then rotates back into place.
Back together again.
I also needed to rerail a coal train due to a cat incident. Here, a liftout right next to Cascade Falls helps out.
Track is dense here. The dual gauge visible track in front has two mine tracks plus the hidden main behind it.
With the liftout back in place, everything is running well.
