We'll have the corner construction party from 10 A.M. until ? I'll start early but come when you can. If you need directions send me an e-mail.
Bring a couple things if you want to run on my layout during breaks.
I think I have most of the parts necessary already, and I ordered the track yesterday at a substantial discount from www.davistrains.com. I think I will need some wire, but may just buy the 4-wire stuff we used on the yard. I also used that type of wire on my bridge transitions.
Randall, I love your metal bridge idea. A suspension bridge like Bob demonstrated once would be nice, but we will probably need a through truss bridge for strength. I am sure we can design a bridge that uses the same width as a regular module (4') and can clamp to a regular ABCD module on either side. The track could be epoxied to the bridge if we needed to.
Ed Weltens
eweltens@apcinc.com
Deputy Program Manager
Advanced Programming Concepts
(512) 327-6795 ext. 270
"Randall Howell" <rhowell@Austin.RR.Com> Sent by: ttat-members-owner@aoot.com
02/01/2002 12:50 AM
Please respond to ttat-members
To: ttat-members@aoot.com
cc:
Subject: Re: SAMRA and New Ideas
<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>I will be out of town the 21st thru 25th. I would like to be
involved if it could be on a later weekend but I don't want to hold
up the rest of the club members that can meet the 23rd and not a
later date.
I think multi level displays are great. As far as the tunnel on the
(shorter dia. "E" track) I think this is great. I saw a o gage trick
tunnel on a video I have. It requires only running trains that can
do tighter dia. & go thru a modified mini- helex. The Visual
effect is a 4 to 7 foot long train completely disappears into a 3 foot
long tunnel before it emerges out to other side. The spectators
say "how can that be the train shrunk inside the tunnel before
coming out. This keeps them watch more time to try to figure out
how it's done. this is accomplished by a "sub-level " circle just
under the table with it crossing its self just to emerge a table level
out the other side. it's a "Cool Effect".
Also I have a thought with the proposed bridge module allowing
easier people access in & out. I do welding mostly TIG (also
involving, precision, small size, & exotic metals) as a side income
source. I could do a "ALL METAL" span bridge that is
completely open under it and open for as wide a space as you
want. I think for this, metal would be better than wood for both
strength and the proper scale look. What do you all think?
Randall
On 5 Feb 02, at 12:40, eweltens@apcinc.com wrote:
<FontFamily><param>sans-serif</param><smaller>I agree with the earlier messages that everything went well at the show. I
loved the new control panel. The only problem with my Madison cars
was they were not lubricated the first time through the yard and they
hung up. A little oil and all was fine. My engine with the low
uncoupling plunger was a different story.<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>
<FontFamily><param>sans-serif</param><smaller>I like Scott's Idea of making scenery add-ons that go on top of the
regular module. It would be nice to have a module with a passenger
station on it that was like this. I might make one if that isn't already in
Scott's plans. I also like the through truss bridge idea; we could build a
frame out of 1x2" lumber to support it and build it on an ABCD module
layout for minimal width.<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>
<FontFamily><param>sans-serif</param><smaller>Here are some Ideas I came up with while at the show and daydreaming
since then:<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>
<FontFamily><param>sans-serif</param><smaller>1. Have a Corner Module building party at my house on Feb 23rd.<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>
<FontFamily><param>sans-serif</param><smaller>2. Make some of the new corner Modules transition modules. Why?
The inside track could be a wider radius than a normal "E" position
track. It would allow for greater flexibility in connection of sides together
where you would have an entire side be ABCE with the transition in the
corner. It would also save track since we would only be putting 4 lines
of track on a corner instead of four. Definitely needs some consideration
and planning. We should probably make the first two normal and then
make the second two transitions if we do this.<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>
<FontFamily><param>sans-serif</param><smaller>3. Create a track plan template in Visio on my computer. Individual
modules would be graphically represented like pieces of a puzzle and
could be rearranged to suit the required size layout either with the
software or by cutting the pieces out of a sheet of paper for people
without the program. A uniform method of labeling/numbering Modules
would be necessary, and I could propose one.<FontFamily><param>Times New Roman</param><bigger>
<FontFamily><param>sans-serif</param><smaller>4. Build a tunnel or raised city (talked with Steve about this before) that
could sit on top of a module for more visual appeal than a completely flat
layout.