BigGRacing
Aka. Gary Russell
Well, howdy there internet people in awe of Christian's cactus planting skills
It's Troy again... Today, lets talk about double-doubles, animal style... no... that's in Sherell's neck of the wood. Don't want to exclude Willie and the Tx contingent...
I'm up. With a dull headache. Thanks Flo...Coffee and one of Mel's mother's holiday cookies. Heavy on the icing. Yeah the Pagan Tree one is good.
So... the more I read Tony Koester's book, the less inclined I am to try to model a second (upper) deck right now. Not saying no to it, just don't want the commitment to the double layer. Yet.
Fortunately, on my freelance route, I was planning on being in the Pacific NW, so mountains make a good backdrop. And those mountains can let me embed a few wide curving climbs and eventually disguise a ramp up to a future 2nd level. that ramp would take up three pieces of 3' flextrack - or six if I want a double mainline -- so not a huge investment in prep for expansion.
BUT, If I do add an upper deck, I still want it at a lower than eye level for me (5'10 standing.) That means to get a 12 gap between the lowest railtop on the lower, and bottom of the upper, adding 5 inches for construction of the upper deck (1x4 + 1" foam + roadbed and track.
My current benchwork is averaging 45" off the floor (uneven basement floor) to top of lowest rails. Add 16" plus 5 inches, and my upper level top of rails should be at 5' 6. That's about eye level. Grrrrr... I'd like 2 less inches of height.
I'm facing two main questions:
1. do I drop the current deck by about four inches? That would be a good and tallish version for seated operation.
2. How extensive of a rebuild do I work on - especially if I'm going to dismantle enough to lower the lower/current deck?
Considerations: This area will be shared with the 4x6 ft (ish) gaming table.
The primary role of this layout is rail-fanning with continuous run trains
I'm looking at a folded dogbone design
Here's the current scribblings of the mind... I know the right end of the dogbone needs serious work on design. My idea is a mountainous waterfall are in the V corner to get some separation between left and right scenes. Just not sure what or how to keep the loop running and still keep some interest on the right end of the dogbone. Feedback is welcomeView attachment 136836
Very possible,Feedback is welcome
You may have already seen these notes but here might be a reference as well