Woody's boxfile(s)

Hi all. I'm planning to join in on this 'little' adventure. I've been browsing Carl Arendt's site http://carendt.com/ and found a track plan that will work, originally designed by Chris Ellis.

The idea is that it will be three Foolscap boxfiles (slightly larger than A4) end to end and represent a New England switching yard serving a number of small industries. Heres the plan which uses a peco double slip and one right hand small radius point. It gives four sidings and the ability to run off stage with two of them to change wagons, or cars if you prefer, or connect to someone elses box file. So yes I have decided to build to the standard set by Alan just in case I ever get to meet anyone who is doing the same.

I don't have any American stock at present but if this progresses as planned I would quite like to use the layout to experiment with DCC and kaydees. For the time being when building starts I can test with GWR tank engines and wagons fitted with DG uncouplers which I have plenty of.

Here's the track plan, I'd be intersted to know what you think of it.



I've bought the box files and already have the track and points in stock. There won't be any progress until November though as I'm going to Cyprus in a few days for a well earned holiday. In any case this is a 'Winter Project' and it's not quite winter yet. 

 :cheers


 

Looking forward to the start of this Nick

Will you be making any large buildings for the layout ?

[user=285]Alan[/user] wrote:

Looking forward to the start of this Nick

Will you be making any large buildings for the layout ?

Alan - Depends what you mean by large I suppose. I anticipate that the back of the box files will be one run of buildings. One large building or a number of smaller ones? Im not sure at this stage. I need to research some typical US industrial buildings and see what prototypes I can find that would suit.

There will be a building adjoined to these at the LH end where the line will disappear inside and at the other end there will be a separate building which will hide the exit off stage.

I imagine the scene as some run down brick warehouse type of structures with loading doors and lots of metal pipes and ventilation ducts running up the outside. Weeds and graffiti everywhere.

Something as far removed from Much Murkle as possible.

Nick,

Sounds like you've thought out your track plan well.Have a nice break,then you'll be ready to dive into this when you get back.

Cheers,John.B.:thumbs

Thanks John

I was at a bit of a loose end for an hour or so today. SWMBO was at work and the Dining Room table was clear so I took the opportunity to hack a bit of Peco track about. This is the result. The double slip and point are leftovers from a previous layout.

Each siding should in theory hold two 40' box cars. I say in theory as I haven't got any to try it out. If they don't then they'll only hold one:roll:




The next job after I go on holiday tomorrow will be to remove the internal ends and release the fronts so that they hinge down and get rid of those springy things. Then I can make the base for the track.

PS Mum's the word about the Dining room table :chicken

:cheers

Nick,

If you're going for Alan's method of raising the track on foam board (or something) to allow cables and point rodding to be under the board but inside the box, then you don't need to take all of the boxfile side off (depthwise).
This also helps with keeping the base rigid - once you lose one of the four sides the box becomes very flimsy.
HTH

Stu

Stu

That's great advice it also gives something to fix to when joining boxes :thumbs

Just goes to show how much fun you can with a couple of boxfiles and a dinning room table :thumbs

While I was away on holiday I left a few cheeky bids on Ebay for a loco and four box cars. I won the loco and 2 of the box cars :Happy

Arrived today and i'm chuffed to bits with them. Not having taken notice of US outline stock before, the amount of detail is superb. They were described as being new in the box only opened to take photos and although dubious about these sort of descriptions that is exactly what they appear to be. Here's the box cars, both are Accurail models (kits really).





The loco is an Athearn GP 40-2 (DC), all the detailing parts are in the unopened packet and it runs as sweet as a nut straight out of the box despite being told it is almost 10 years old !!




How much you ask? £17.09 for the loco and £4.70 for one of the box cars and £3.99 for the other plus £4.20 postage total £29.98 

What a steal :thumbs

The only minor issue is that all the steel weights and handrails are quite rusty, but I did know this would be likely and it's easily overcome with a bit of wet and dry and some paint

 

Camden Yard has some stock, I now need to find 3 or 4 more box cars and a switcher.

:cheers

You will really enjoy both the building and the end product of the Accurail box vans, you might even come over to that dark-side forever :roll:

Bargain!  Aren't handrails supposed to be rusty?

Cheers
Dave

A simple yet effective plan. I approve :)