As I wrote earlier, the plan that John Allen created was modified by Rick Van Lear. I used Rick's plan as the basis for my layout and adapted it yet again...
Modified Track Plan
"Field Modification"
I tried to color the track so the modifications would show up better. The green lines are the outside loop. The red are the mining branch. I didn't change the full size drawing glued to the slab. Instead I'm building the changes into the spline...
You can see that I'm running the spline straight through rather than turning to the left.
Normally I build the spline first and then elevate it. I started out that way but ran into a problem. Unlike the N scale layout the curves here are tight. I couldn't let the spline follow it's natural curve..
Spline
It took a while to get the spline to line up with the track plan. I had to rebuild some sections Spent quite a bit of time waiting for glue to dry. After a few days I had about 99% of the roadbed in place.
Next came the cork ballast strip. I used a commercial product this time and fastened in place with tacky glue. Once the cork was down I took the flex track from the "test" layout and relaid it on the new layout. I then disassembled the test section and last vestige of the N scale layout went to recycling.
Only the "mainline", the oval is in place at this time. It's enough to get a train running for the time being...
Current Layout
One other thing I did on this layout was put the fascia on. At least part of it, anyway. I was going to do this on the N scale layout but never got around to it. Quite a few models fell to the concrete below and ended up in the repair line or scrap box. I didn't want a repeat of this, so I ran the fascia on the sides of the foam slab. It's held in place with industrial adhesive and counter sunk screws. In the images you can see it is quite high. Better safe than sorry.
The branch line to the mine will require several turnouts. I'm debating on whether I should buy ready made Atlas products or build my own. I had tried building some turnouts in N scale. While they weren't acceptable, they did provide some experience with the process. Since HO scale turnouts and their parts are larger it may be easier to create some. We'll see.
While running the first train it became obvious that the roadbed wasn't level. I compensated for this issue by placing long thin strips of artboard under the ties. I checked everything with a small level getting it as close as I could. Then I ran a train and watched its progress very carefully...
It took a while to sort out the intricacies of the PVC "stand". In the end, I probably spent more than I meant to. There was some trial and error and if it was wrong I would redo with new fittings. The final result, however, was a very sturdy and light structure...
PVC "Stand"
The PVC was tearing up the foam slab so I added a subtop of 5mm underlayment to make a flatter surface to mount the foam on...
5mm Underlayment
The support frame probably needs adjustment but that's just a matter of turning a leg up or down to level things out. The foam slab isn't fastened to the subtop yet, but will be if and when I find the Liquid Nails I bought. In the meantime I decided to lay the slab down and start gluing the track plan...
Track Plan Glued in Place
In the past I've used wall paper paste. I don't like what happens to the paper when it gets wet. This time I glued the plan to the foam using a spray adhesive. I bought the cheapest I found at Home Depot. I made sure to try it on some scrap foam first. Nothing like having your new layout dissolve into goo on the floor. I carefully laid out the two halfs of the plan and rolling up one end covered about 6" of the foam with adhesive. I placed the paper down and used a dust brush to smooth it out. I kept going like this a foot at a time until both sheets of paper were fastened to the foam.
I actually impressed myself with the results. I must be getting the hang of this.
I laid out some foam roadbed strips to get an idea how the next step would go. I made my own foam pins using piano wire. I cut a 4" length of wire and bent the last inch 90 degrees...
Foam Pin
I pinned down the on strip making sure it matched the center line on the track plan. This will form the center of the spline...
Foam Roadbed
At this point I modified the track plan by running the spline in a different direction. Rather than have the double loop shown in the track plan I decided for a single loop on the outside. The inner loop will form a branch that serves the mine at the top of the grade...
Modified Plan
I then laid out the adjacent strips, staggering the joints. At this point nothing was glued down yet so the joint looks bad. This is OK, this section of the spline isn't complete yet...
Staggered Joint
To glue all this foam together I use Aileen's tack glue. I accumulated quite a bit building the last layout. A lot of people insist it's not a permanent adhesive. They should try using it. I've had excellent results...
Tacky Glue
To build the spline I ran a bead of glue down the track center line of the plan. I placed the foam down and then slid it back and forth to spread the glue evenly. I pinned the foam down temporarily and stated on the outside strips...
Building the Spline
I ran a bead of glue along side the center strip and then anothe bead down the side of the strip. Again I slid the strip back and forthe and up and down to spread the glue. I did the same for the other strip. You can see that the loose joint shown earlier has now tightened quite well...
Three Strip Spline
In previous projects I used drywal screws as clamps to hold the strips together. I usually left the screws in. This time around I have a bunch of real clamps. I got out my clamp box and went to town...
Box O Clamps
As you can see, I made liberal use of them...
Spline Glued Up and Clamped.
The roadbed for the branch up to the mine will be laid after I put down some ballast strip and track. I want to run some trains!
