What was i thinking?!

[jettrainfan]

Well, my internet was shut off again! and to pass the time, i made a online journal. I put down all the data, ideas, the future series, etc. in their. And i was thinking of LTEX(why? the world may never know! ) So i thought and thought and as i was thinking... my mom said she'll clean off the table and i can do whatever i want with it!(except light it on fire ) so i thought, "man! my table is a wreck! my yard is small too! what can i do? . .. ...(light bulb) I know! I'll make something she'll think is crazy! A extended yard!" their would be a 3 pieces of wood that would fold up when not in use. It would be like a bridge! the yard would be ran by small diesels, preferably a homemade LTEX diesel. A switch would be added near Lakewood and would go 8ft. 1in. to the table and it would connect to a 3-5 track storage yard. Now, this is not decided when work will be done but scene safety precautions will be taken, it will be costful. I'm fine with that. So if you think this is crazy... so do i! 2 questions. 1. what do you think 2. is it possible?

[jward]

go for it.

[Jim Banner]

I think a yard on a run off is a great idea.  Extends your table when you need it, drops out of the way when you don't.  I am sure it can be done.

If you are thinking of using hinges, you are better off to make the yard drop down when not in use.  That way the hinges can be hidden below the table.  If it hinges up, you have to have the hinge pins above the tops of the rails.

I have been trying to figure out how to fit an Inglenook into a layout that I have planned, and I think you have just given me the answer.  Thank you.

Jim

[jettrainfan]

Thanks guys! I will probably talk to Dave(he built my table) and see if he can help. jim, thanks for the info! This really helps and it seems it will deffently be worth the money. I just have cars all over from my eBay days(lol) I have so many for cheap pricing and presents as fixer uppers. well, thanks and good luck!

P.s. anytime! I love to help.

[CNE Runner]

'Jet' - You, my friend, look like a good candidate for a micro/small layout. I think it would amaze you how much operation one can get into a very small layout. Check out my thread for some super websites on this fascinating aspect of our hobby:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,9353.0.html

Saying the micro layout mantra several times also helps: "Carl Arendt is the man...Carl Arendt is the man....

Let us know how you made out or contact me off line should you desire more information.

Ray

[renniks]

Using AnyRail you can mix makes and scales of track to design a Mini/Pizza. Using HO turnouts of choice with Flex-track and N scale curves you can do quite a lot with the 50 piece allotment of the free version.
I am also an Arendt fan.

Eric UK

[hawaiiho]

Thanks.  That's a great idea. I could use an additional Yard, but there isn't room on my table.  And if I add a permanent extension to my table I would never hear the end of it from my wife(she tolerates quite a bit as  it is).
I might be able to get away with a fold down. I think I may even have enough spare track.

[jettrainfan]

im back, and found out the table is a 2ft by 5 ft and that is good with me! im gonna go figure out a track plan. SAFETY EXTRAS their will be a 1 inch wall between the ends of the bridge. this is so if something derails, it will be safe. It will be about a inch away from the track too. their will be buffers where track ends. I was gonna put some clothes but they dont prove reliable and can break a coupler! So it will look like this, a 3-5 yard track. It will look like a yard without a out line. a switcher near the end. the bridge will go their. and near the north side of Lakewood(points to lake Erie! how did that happen! lol) So the old washer will be moved(trade you a steamer and you can take this to the scrap yard! it will be less space! your done with the poor thing, make a buck or 2 from this!) So that is the plan, still trying to estimate a cost, this will be used from the money i have left from buying a track cleaner car by walthers train line(sorry bachmann, i rather buy yours but my local hobby shop does not have it! ) So that is my plan, i will use bachmann e-z track and switches. sounds simple? i'll tell you guys the price range when i get the chance.

UPDATE: i found out if i get the supplies from my local hobby shop(not the wood...) it will cost $140, around that... so the budget is $200. I better start saving!

[CNE Runner]

Hawaiiho - You could have a micro/small layout and a detachable, folding fiddle yard to add interest and operating possibilities. BTW: a fiddle yard is a group of tracks that allow you to 'fiddle' with the trains. Carl Arendt has an example of a folding layout on his website (I can find the reference if you'd like). The layout, and the folded up fiddle yard, could be stored under the couch or bed.

We won't rest until we get you in trouble with your wife!

Ray

[jettrainfan]

i found out the perfect wood is $3 a piece at home depot! not a bad price! i am thinking of ways other than hinges, and their is not much. I'll probably keep it simple till later. I am buying sinkers for my s1(time to get out the hammer! ) and buy a track cleaning car. I really need one bad! so after that, I'll start getting supplies!

[renniks]

Further to Ray's explanation of a "fiddle yard". It is used with the 0-5-0 switchers that everyone has.

Eric UK

[CNE Runner]

Personally, I wouldn't waste funds on the purchase of that track-cleaning car. We all cleaned our tracks using the 0-5-0 method for years. Buy that car after you have made significant progress with your layout (always ask yourself: Want? or Need?).

Thanks to Eric UK for explaining, more succinctly, how a fiddle yard functions. A fiddle yard(s) or cassette(s) can add another whole dimension to anyone's layout - with very little loss of room space.

To better illustrate my suggestion of a folding fiddle yard I researched Carl Arendt's website and found the reference:

http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page26/index.html

The only 'fly-in-the-ointment' is finding a plastic folding ruler (most folding rulers use a pivoting connection and not mini hinges). This concept would, however, still allow you to have a micro/small layout AND a rather extensive yard. Things to think about...thinking is free whilst action is usually costly.

Ray

[jettrainfan]

well, lets see... My 0-4-0 has bad pick up willl not run properly, same with my life-like sd-24(how do i get the cheap stuff?!) My bachmann john bull will shudder, and lastly, i wiped the track  with a regular eraser and it was a medium shade of blackish gray! So i kind of need one... and i keep losing my track erasers when i put them on the freezer!(i leave most of my tools their.) i checked everywhere and no sign. so i think i do...

P.S. a regular eraser leaves a bunch of itself!

[simkon]

There are 2 solutions to your problem...
1. Keep your model railroading supplies neat and organized so you don't lose anything...maybe get a storage caddy...also try Jim's suggestions for track maintenance posted somewhere in the HO forum.
2. You will be happier with 1 quality locomotive, as opposed to 3 toy/junk locomotives.
Try to buy: Athearn/Genesis, MDC/Roundhouse, Proto2000/1000, Walthers Train Line, Blue Line Ind., Bachmann Spectrum or regular line newer releases, most newer Mantuas are fine, newer Rivarossi, International Hobby Corp is good too.
Avoid: Regular Life-like (no offense to Walthers), pre 1990's Bachmann including Bachmann Plus (no offense to Bachmann Ind LLC), Most Model Power (no offense to Model Power, but Diesel Engines don't seem to last), older Tyco, older AHM, generally with most older trains, some may look nice but most affordable ones don't run that well because of the lack of technology that is available modern day.
If cost is an issue go with Bachmann Spectrum or if you don't want/need DCC Walthers Train Line locos are pretty good (I have a NH AB powred FT set).

[jettrainfan]

I geuss... i get tricked by the looks! I can live with both just got bad traction. Its worth it when they work though