 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Well, there is to be a slight change of plan to the woodwork. Originally, there was to be two operating/access holes in the whole board, of 400*400mm each. (The middle of the board was going to be "B-space-C-space-B"). Instead I've decided to make just one access hole in the layout of 800*400mm instead. I can make this change easily by using "B-B-space-C" as shown above. The hole is just for access, and will be covered with scenery when the layout is finished. | I've finally managed to buy some replacement hotwire for my expanded polystyrene foam cutter. The cutter is supposed to be operated with a battery, but I use 4.5V DC output from a power pack to heat the 50mm length of wire. The photo above shows a block of expanded polystyrene foam (1200*400*23mm approx) marked out to be cut to standard sections which I will use to elevate the track. |
|
|
|
| The block will be cut into standard straight lengths and widths of (230*58mm) so that it can be rearranged just like the track sections. | For curved track I'm not going to cut blocks to the shape of the curve. Instead I plan to leave spaces between sections of polystyrene block, but on the top level, I will use thin card to provide the continuous surface required for scenery etc |
|
|
|
| The idea is to use this polystyrene under my track to create gradients as required. For scenery, it won't be necessary for a flat finish, but for track it is. Now the contractors have ordered 35 units so far, to elevate parts of the track. | With the track elevated, it is now possible to have road and rail bridges. Each block is 23mm in height, so at least 2 will be required for a low height rail overbridge for road traffic, and at least 3 blocks will be needed to clear rail traffic on two levels. |
 |
|
| This photo shows what might be possible. All the scenery would be added after the track height is set. | Next steps are to decide on what track plan to follow... |
