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 Posted - June 23 2013 : 8:52:27 PM
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Being a consummate packrat, I have totally filled up my basement to the point I can't put a layout in. Been busy cleaning it out last year and this year, I've got major pathways now, but still more stuff than will allow enough room for a layout. SO, I came up with a solution, at least for now, that will allow me train operations during good weather. I salvaged some computer cabinet C-channel from my wife's office when they had to clean out an office, and mucho computer racks had been left behind. I got quite a bit of useable stuff! 
Anyway, one issue with the C channel was width. I thought about using flex-track, but decided, being an outdoor railroad, that I would use EasyTrack by Bachmann for ease of set-up and tear-down. It will be a modular removable layout hanging off the outer edges of the deck railing. My goal is to have an L-shaped "layout", but will probably start off with a Dogbone style to get it up and running quickly. That said, the Easytrack was slightly too wide with both pieces in the channel. I needed a router for plastic. I hit on something at work, we have a small drill press, and I also have used Roto-Zip bits to cut plastic parts. I thought, hmm, all I need is a backstop to slide the track against, and it should be stable enough to rout the edge. I had an L-shaped 2 foot metal support bracket that was 1/4 inch thick, so would not give. I C-clamped it to the drill press at one end, pivoted the bracket until the track was just getting notched about 1/16th of an inch. Then I locked down the C-clamp and zipped away!  Worked as well as I'd hoped, I just took it slow, and doing the 36" long pieces I'd bought at my LHS, I did 3 at first, took them home, and trial-fit them. I was hoping I'd only have to do one track side, but looked like it would need 1/8th off total. So , when I flipped another one around with the routed edges outward, the pair fit fine. Ok, have to mill them ALL now, not just half.  Took the other 9 pieces to work, and got them done this week during slack time and break.  Tonight is my first set-up attempt. I improperly braced the "bridge", and while I was trying to put the loop on, it slid off the brace, tilted up, and crashed to the deck. Bent up 4 of the rail joiners. BOTHER! said Pooh-man. Got out 4 more straights, and this time pulled the bridge over to the railing and it had a secure set point.
Back to the loop. Got it set in place, and hooked it all up. Nice! I won't be running it on the hot tub, I intend to run it on the outside of the railing, but since I COULD, I may come up with a method to run it across the deck table as well. But it would be out of the way on the outside railing, and I could still get off the deck by the side stairs. I will need some substantial brackets, I think flowerbox brackets should hold well enough. I may have to shim or adjust, but shouldn't be a big issue there. At any rate , here's my design and photos of the actual track set up outside tonight.
   
I did a layout tour on Saturday with some club members and former club members, and most of these guys have 3000 sq ft plus homes, the last guy has a 6,000 sq ft home with home theater in the basement! Their long runs are LONG, the last guy I'd swear it was 100 feet or more. My poor little Cape Cod, with 1700 sq ft, just has no chance of ever being that operational. I could totally empty the basement (right), and knock out walls (right again ), but it just would not have the impressive space these guys can afford. I guess I'll have to settle for a 12 by 18 at most. Until I hit the lottery   . But for now, since I'm not making great progress, I need a way to run my trains my wife says I have too many of, and don't run at all....gee, wonder why? a mole would be comfortable in my basement at this stage. Hoping to turn that around this year, condense the trains, get rid of junk and partial boxes, and maybe I can get something working in the basement finally. I doubt this year, but gotta make progress sometime/somehow. Let me know what you think of this non-garden outdoor HO railroad attempt.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Country:  USA ~
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Posted - June 23 2013 : 9:10:29 PM
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something I needs to do on my lawn
BUT I needs MOAR straights! 
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Country: USA ~
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Member Since: February 23 2009 ~
Last Visit: February 27 2026
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