First (second?) layout

[jakell]

Many ages ago I had a small N scale layout. I have very little recollection of it aside from a plastic sheet of fake grass (that was very, very green) stapled onto a board.

The past couple of years I've been doing loops around the Christmas tree with Atlas 100 HO track. Now I think I've gotten the bug for something a more sturdy/permanent. I'm hoping to make it so year-round I can have a layout in the basement and for the holidays, bring it upstairs and set it around the tree. So here's my plan --
4x8 piece of 1/2 plywood
Layer of Hemasote (or equivalent) on top of the plywood
Cut into two 4x4 segments
Cut out a 21" hole (semicircle in both segments) for the tree stand
Couple of latches to keep the segments securely connected

The layout will be permanently affixed to the segments, except for those pieces of track that go over the cut. Those will be attached during reconnection.

Terrible idea? Workable?
Here's a picture of what I have so far done up in RTS 8.0 (I've also attached an RAL file if anyone's interested). It's pretty much a duplication of the layout shown at the bottom of this page.
There are a couple of places where the joins/connections aren't quite right. I'm hoping that in reality there's a little more wiggle room to get the track together?

[Daryl]

If the blue line is your cut in the ply wood you want to have straight sections to join the track with at least two and a half inches on either side of the cut. I don't know if easy track has that size so go with what is appropriate .the ply and homasote will make that layout a bear to move around ,so give ply and foam (construction blue or pink) a thought.turn out control should have the auto snap switches in the hard to reach areas.Other wise looks good

[jakell]

Thanks, Daryl!
I didn't mention it, but I was going to give Atlas True-Track (code 83) a go. I will rejigger the plans to allow for those longer straight pieces you talked about. And yeah, foam is a better call.
As for the switches, I will now actually put some thought into which switches are manual and which are remote!

[Trainman1965]

Welcome to the fourms Jakell Nice to have some more guys from Ga in here.
Oh yea you mite not know but we have a train show this coming weekend in Manchester GA about 70 miles south west of Atlanta. If you can make it down would be nice to meet ya. If you need more info on the show let me know and i will send some to ya.

[ak-milw]

From the picture the blue center line cuts right through 3 turnouts. I don't think that will work.

[Eastern Roads]

Andy has a good observation there. I would think you would want the cut somewhere along a straight line of track, and especially not under turnouts!!

I would also consider putting some sort of frame (even if it's 1x2's) around the edges, and through the middle for strength and to prevent any flexing when you move it. By using light wood, you wouldn't add much weight to it, and it would make the thing more rigid and accepting of the latches.

Christmas!!! Already?!?!?

[hoscalemodeler1967]

2 thoughts,
,1-using 1/2"mdf is lighter and sturdy flex-wise than ply,,bout same weight, but much cheaper,,foam,,excellent idea,

2-where ya gonna put all the dang presents like new locos under the tree with all that track there,lol

[jakell]

Trainman -- thanks for the invite! I've got plans, but I'd love to get the info. Maybe I can plan for the next one.

Eastern -- I was thinking of putting a number of 1x2's underneath to add to stability and also to make it easier to pick up off the ground. My wife suggested that!

AK -- wow, thanks. I'll work on adjusting that so that won't happen.

HOScale -- MDF! Of course. Thanks. And yeah, the presents issue came up, but the last couple of years there was about 4x6 under there and track kept getting moved and unattached. This might be easier.
However, I think my present total will be much lower after spending on this layout.

[jakell]

Update --
So I've gotten most of my materials together. I've laid out the track, temporarily, on the plywood so I can measure out my cuts. I also tested it and trains run on it just fine. Here are some pictures:

Unboxing the track
Track parts
Test of the layout, side view
GSMR Bryson City coach on test track
Test of the layout, corner view

[ak-milw]

Thats a nice little layout there. the track plan leaves all kinds of room for operations.