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Just Like Starting Over

Hey guys! (That includes you too, of course, Dot!) Where have I been? Frustrationland, that's where!! Somewhere between embarrassed and bewildered. What to DO???? I just this afternoon tore up all the remaining track and most of the mountain scenery from my old layout! I am going to keep the new one simple! I am going to follow a track plan called the "Havaphew Railroad". I think I have shared this before. It is a double loop with crossover capability. That means plenty enough action to keep me happy. Also, it is built from Atlas Snap Track, and I have all I need.....well, mostly. My problem now is, I have this nasty ground foamed and gravelly, gritty surface! What should I do to start over? Work right on that surface? Paint it? Put a sheet of foam over the whole mess?? YEPPERS folks, Marc is back and needs help! (You KNOW you missed my annoying questions Pete!!) Marc
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

Good to see you're sill around. Without being sarcastic..but do you own a beltsander? That would be the quickest and easiest (and messiest) method. Or maybe a 4 or 5 inch putty scraper (metal blade) this would be a little more labour intensive depending on how much glue was used to bond everything. But at least you can control the mess. By making a smaller layout you won't be overwhelmed with what to do next. You can have something that can be up and running without much hassle. Plus with the size it is something that won't take a lifetime to scenic. don't be a stranger
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

g-pa1
Enthusiast
Hey Marc, Good to see you are alive and well. I think I would try to get the existing surface as even as I could and then put a 1" foam topper on it and go from there. Put up a picture or drawing of your new plan I would like to see it. Gene
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

Mr. Breeze!!!!! Good to hear from you. OK. To answer your question, I need to ask you one. What material is the layout built on now? If I remember, it was foam board on a wood frame. Or was it plywood with foam risers? Next question. It was L-shaped before, right? Now it will be a rectangle only. I'll check on that. I can find the layout on MR's website. Here's my thought. If the layout base is plywood, save as much of the frame and plywood surface as you can to make the new base. You can use a paint scraper, a putty knife, sandpaper or a sander to get the surface clean again, or just buy new plywood. Toss out the foam topping. You'll only destroy it anyway trying to scrape the ballast and scenery off it. I know you had hills on the old one that would not be in the same place as the new layout. If the old base was just a foam top, I'd toss that out for the same reason as above. Why create the possibility of not having a new flat surface to work with which would only frustrate you again. Just gluing a new top on the old surface will most likely not work. There are bound to be some bumps and dips that will remain. Spend a little money for the peace of mind it will give you. So, tell us what the surface is made of now and then think about what I said. B-) Here's the link guys: http://www.trains.com/mrr/objects/pdf/mrr-g0305_a.pdf -- Edited by ginzokid at 02/24/2008 5:57 AM PST
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

Nice to hear from everyone! (Glad you didn't throw me out, actually!) The set up is a framed 4X8 plywood sheet with a 1" (blue) foam board glued to it. My initial thought was to glue a new one over top of the existing one. I would then have "that much more" depth, for digging gullies, culverts, etc, when I go to scenic it. Now I'm thinking, as per what I think Pete is suggesting, of peeling off the old blue foam panel and starting over from the bare plywood sheet. I tried scraping, but I did "too good" a job gluing the foam and ballast. It isn't coming off and I've gouged the foam pretty badly in a few places trying! SO, I guess it's down to bare wood and a new clean foam surface! (The trashmen are gonna wonder what the heck is going on in here!) Marc
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

I GOT A REAL PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!! I was taking inventory of my trackage, and feeling pretty smug. I have almost everything required. As I was looking over my turnout collection, I realized they do not have the model # on them. So, I went to N Scale Supply's site to look up the required 2750 and 2751 turnouts and see if they "look like" the ones I have. OH MY GOD!!!!!! The 2750/2751 ARE MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!! I am, like, SUCH a remote turnout guy!!!!! I have been staring at the schematic and I don't believe motors will (even) fit in some of the spaces required! This whole project may have just gotten sh*t canned!!! I am not about to sink a hundred and twenty bucks into 12 turnouts.....that I don't even want!!! WAAAAAA.....uh, uh WAAAAAAAAAAAA! (baby crying) NOW who's got any ideas?!? Marc
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

Marc, Fear not! The automatic turnouts will fit. If you think you have the original foam level, glue a 2" thick piece on top of it with the proper cement for foam. Liquid Nails makes a good adhesive for foam. My choice would be to pull off the 1" foam and put on a new 2" or 4" thick slab of the stuff. Deep gorges with that thickness. Sounds like you are making it larger than the original. In that case you surely have enough room for the turnout motors. Even taking a look at the original, the motors will be on the side that is open and there is lots of room. A manual turnout control from Caboose industries is actually wider than the motor, so you should be good to go. B-)
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

I kind of did a "Chicken Little" before I checked it out. (Yes, I am still "like that"!) After I wrote the post I went down and did a little test fit. It seems the motors will fit afterall. As for the foam, I am still contemplating. I am going to stop at Lowe's and Home Depot and see what they have. The only modifications to the layout I may make is to lengthen the over all ovals. I don't know IF I can make it wider though. It doesn't look like the curve sections will (easily) accommodate that. Marc
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Re: Just Like Starting Over

Marc is making mountains out of mole hills again..... B-)
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It'll work, I trust you. ]:)
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Home Depot has all the foam you can dream of. Just remember to use PL300 (foam friendly adhes)
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Marc, Is it possible to just remove the foam mostly off the plywood and just turn the plywood over and then start over from there. Just a thought. Lou
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