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MR2C New Permanent Layout |
The Model Railroad Club is presently in the midst of building a new layout! We have progressed to building benchwork, and the final track plans will be nailed down soon. We expect to have operable track by the end of the academic year.
Our general plan is for a triple deck layout wrapping around the edge of our available space. The middle level, at a height of about 36-40" off our deck will wrap around the walls of our room with a large peninsula in the middle, essentially a dog bone, in the shape of a G. The top level, at 60-70" high off the deck will run out above the doors of the room, otherwise, it will be the same shape as the middle deck. The main line will be double track on all levels. A helix, with either two or four tracks; is planned to go between levels, it will be located above our dispatching and workbench area. Staging is below the main level. A diorama that is low enough to be seen from the floor of the room will be located along the edge of the deck.
The layout will model the modern era. The top deck will be hilly countryside, and plans indicate that an extra revolution by half of the helix tracks will provide the opportunity for the main line to make a slight grade over the length of the layout, but not so much that switching rural industries will be difficult. The middle level will consist of mostly industrial and cityscapes, this plan allows the time trains spend in the helix to justify the radical change in scenery. The locale of the layout will be contemporary western Indiana and the Terre-Haute area, but we will likely freelance the actual industries. Traffic will include many long unit trains to fill the main lines, but local switching will also be a significant factor.
Viewable staging in the form of a train yard may be present on the middle level, 8 tracks of hidden run-through staging representing both ends of the railroad will be concealed beneath the middle level along the back wall of our room. In a pinch we can use the helix to stage extra trains in series. This staging plan is dictated by the 24'x20'6" size and the arrangement of the club room. Run-through staging will allow our main line to run continuously for display purposes and will most likely feature an inspection window above our future workbench where cars and engines can be changed during a display run without requiring us to disrupt visitors to access our staging tracks, this way bad equipment can be removed covertly. By using the inspection window to change out equipment and the staging yard to store extra trains, the experience of viewing the layout during a display run will be different for each visitor.
Future expansion may include more staging in the workbench area as well as a branch line connected to the diorama area.
Our benchwork will be a base frame of nothing heavier than 2x4's, with the exception that the peninsula may use 4x4's or steel to support both levels, and the actual track supports will be lighter, using 1x2's and 2x2's to support a plywood sub-roadbed.
We are very excited to finally be at this stage of construction. Layout plans and photos will be posted on this page as they become available.
Webpage created by Philip A. Ruehl for the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Model Railroad Club; last modified 1/19/2008.