April Set-Up "Open House"
April 12, 2015
You're invited! My Husher Central modular model railroad will be set up on Sunday April 19 from 2-6 PM at "The Gathering Place", a fancy name for a nondescript white metal building at 1423 Sunrise Trail, Burlington (actually Town of Lyons, in Country Estates), WI 53105. A few photos from my previous two set-ups:
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| damage | 4x10! | something's missing | ||
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| better...? | 7x10! | 7x10! | ||
Graham Wants a Module
February 10, 2015
Ever since Russell and I built his science fair module, Graham has always wanted a module of his own. So, after being an extra-good boy during and after the JanBoree, I bought a 2'x4' handi-panel and a 1x4x8 from Menard's, and set out assembling Graham's module!
First issue: Despite being labeled as 2' by 4', the plywood was actually slightly narrower than 2 feet, while being slightly longer than 4'. Neither was particularly a problem, as the excess length was easily cut off, and the insufficient width was really not insufficient enough to make a difference. The 1x4 was cut to 4' lengths, and some more of my crating 1x4's were cut to fit the ends of the module. Yet another piece of sofa salvage lumber was cut for a track support, that will be installed before roadbed is laid.
We then set about planning the tracks and other scenery. While Graham originally had ideas of tracks going ALL OVER THE PLACE and MAKING LOOPS (he is still four years old), we settled on a slightly over-complicated track plan after I explained to him the limitations of space. For buildings, he wanted a red building, which I interpreted into a Fire Station. (Particularly since I already had a fire house, the result of my purchase of a gas station^ on eBay.) After a bit of further discussion, we came up with the plan shown below:
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| Graham's track plan |
This module differs from all of the other Husher Central modules in that the top is 1/2" plywood (rather than 5/8" ply or 3/4" "one-by" board), so we will use "HO scale" cork for the roadbed, on the "main line" anyway. Also unique is that there is no direct path across the module, as any through trip will require at least one diverging move on a turnout! This will be modeled after some short line/branch line operations wherein the siding ended up better-maintained than the main line. Indeed, the "original main" will be represented by a gouged-out, partially ballasted segment of roadbed with no track. Note, too, that all switches are right-hand, sort of another happy accident, as we seem to have a surplus of right-hand turnouts!
UPDATE 2/14: Some paint, some roadbed, and a little bit of track have been installed on Graham's module: That's the good news. The bad news is that there isn't room for both runaround tracks on the module. After consulting with Graham about a possible alternative, we agreed to have one of the tracks tie back in to the main line via the crossover on a Phase 2 mini-module. See the photo below for what is done, and what still needs work!
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| Graham's module |
UPDATE 2/26: Trying to get the module runnable by this weekend, I sat down and worked on Graham's module all day. The roadbed was completed with the help of some ramps that I made from some scrap mat board (first photo below), all roadbed was painted, and track was laid on both of the "main lines". Some wiring still needs to be done by Saturday; switch stands and the associated roadbed should be installed; and the industry spurs need to be completed, although the latter two will likely be done after this weekend.
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| ramp | runnable | |
JanBoree-uary
February 9, 2015
Waukesha County Gandy Dancers model railroad club^ held their annual three-day super Open House on January 16-17-18, and I brought the Husher Central down so that my family's Thomas the Tank Engine trains could entertain some of the young 'un visitors! Attendance was consistent with that of the past few years, and we even had a new member join the club over the weekend!
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| Phase 1 modules |
I had the layout set up with just the Phase 1 modules for the entire weekend, but while the Green Bay Packers were busy ending their 2014 season, I spent time building the second of my two-foot Phase 2 modules! (Although I didn't get the two-footers in until a couple days after JanBoree.)
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| 4x6! |
Since there was no need by the club to use the tables at the front of the room for a few weeks, the Husher Central remained set up for almost all of those few weeks! The following Saturday, Russell wanted to bring his module to the club to remove all the devices for his science project, and install 6" track pieces to make his module compatible with the Husher Central. Unfortunately, he didn't want to make any further changes beyond that! Regardless, once some bridge tracks were made, his module was ready to be connected, so one of the two-footers was moved to the other side, and Russell's module was connected in!
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| 4x8!! |
Uhhh... Merry Christmas!!!
February 8, 2015
It's February! What better time to post a Christmas card!!!???
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| 2014 Christmas Card |
After ironing out some logistical issues with this "blog", I figured it was time to get my Christmas e-card posted! Besides, that's just sort of how we roll...
If nothing else, here's a photo from earlier this year, of "the Georgecat" helping me with some model railroad projects:
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| Georgecat |
Now that said logistical issues have been worked out, maybe I can get some more updates posted in the Model Railroad section (not to mention elsewhere on this site) and get it out of Beta...
Russell's Science Project
March 23, 2014
Russell had a science project due this month. What better science project than one involving model trains?
I decided that a 4-foot, Husher Central module construction, test track of sorts would be the best way to demonstrate electricity, and have a little fun, too. While I originally had a 1x8 top in mind, I settled on a 1x12 (bought new from Home Depot), which will provide plenty of space for switches and batteries, as well as the single track. I cut a small amount of excess off the end of the board, as I wanted it to be as close to 4' as possible. The ends of the module are standard 1x4s (scavenged from crating), with a single cross-member (recycled from our love seat) stabilizing the length of the module. Russell and I painted the top and sides light blue, with a small amount of pink mixed in.
Track is also scavenged, from some old snap-track! Lengths of rail (mostly brass) were restrung onto modified snap-track tie sections and nailed directly to the wood top -- since the 1x12 is 3/4" thick, roadbed is omitted, to match up with Phase 1 modules with 5/8" tops and "N Scale" roadbed. An insulated rail joiner was installed 7½ inches from each end. Track is laid completely to each end, to provide the maximum amount of run distance. Although initially omitted, bumpers were installed at each end, to prevent any "accidents" – after Graham successfully demonstrated to me how such accidents could happen!
Power is supplied by a 9V battery. Directional controls will be handled by a reused Atlas Twin switch. The insulated sections at either end are wired up with a diode, to allow the locomotive to travel only in the direction away from the end.
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| 20140314_182243 | 20140314_182207 | |
With the science fair now complete, the module will be rebuilt, and become part of the Husher Central. The 7½" insulated sections at either end will give way to 6" connected sections, a second mainline will be laid, with a few switches connecting an industry or two. We may even successfully construct some buildings to add to our module!
Bill Bedell, 1949-2014.
January 31, 2014
Some sad news to report: Bill Bedell, whose modular setup helped to inspire my creation of the Husher Central, passed away on Tuesday, January 28. He was an avid model railroader, railfan, truck fan, and lake boat fan, whose enthusiasm for his interests was always evident. I feel blessed to have been friends with Bill!