Using the Big Yellow Eraser

I've got lots of issues...with my layout. I should say the space my layout is in, is what I have issue with as it dictates all that goes on in there. Naturally that leads to compromise, and change often. That's why I keep my bench work cheap and simple and reusable. Whenever I work on anything, where I am making something, I proceed the same way as if I were drawing; if what I'm doing isn't working out I tear up that sheet of paper, or erase it. With bench work, my DeWalt screw gun is my eraser. It makes quick work of undoing what was done.

My recipe for bench work is, as seen above, not much...a 1x4 pine frame, 1/8" Masonite covered with 1" rigid foam insulation. As you can see most of the 1x4 is on it's second or third shift as I reuse nearly every piece I can from previous layout incarnations. Even the screws.

Last night, during our podcast with Scott, Jimmy and Dave we spoke about the possibility of my tearing up-giving up - this two layout idea....just not feasible if I want to get the most out of the space I have if I want to successfully operate my present day layout. So, seconds after the podcast ended I slapped a fresh battery into my drill and down came 12 feet of bench work reserved for my 1950's layout...2 hours later,12 feet of bench work was added to the Green Belt. All that remains to have continuous running will be a three foot section that will have to drop down in front of the door for access to the room.

Now I have to see what will become of this new found realestate, the main section of this new benchwork is 24"x 96". I 'd like to fit in a small yard and at least two or three industries. For that I'll have to hit the drafting table and get out the small eraser.

Service Road

Even if modeling modern day railroading isn't your thing, you might want to take a look at Pelle Soeborg's work. If you read Model Railroader, you've no doubt seen his many articles over the last few years. One of the features on his layout that struck me was his use of roads , in particular service roads. On most layouts, if they are modeled, they're truncated. On Pelle's, they're actually a large feature. Even though it's a simple detail, the uncompressed size adds an instant realism that your eye recognizes. His automobile roads are even larger, ten feet or more. You'll see what I mean when you go to his site.

What it 's done for me is reinforce the idea that not only should I not try to cram as much as I can into a scene, but to model as little as possible when space is limited. Previously on last years attempt at a 1950's layout, my problem was that when I drew out my track plan I was trying to cram streets - a whole town - in a space less than 24 " wide. It just can't be done, not to the point where it doesn't look like a severe caraciture. I should have just ran a single road down the length of the layout or just cut one or two across laterally and gone from there.

On my Green Belt, my newly named present day layout, I'm planning at least one lengthy stretch of road, about eight feet long. I've already worked in two service roads, one is pictured above.

Take a look at Pelle's site if you have a moment...lots of lessons to be learned from him and his layout. Paste this link to get there...

http://www.soeeborg.dk/railroading.html