My S-scale layout

Feb 20, 2009

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A few years ago I was facing the possibility of a change of homes so I tore down my old layout and designed this one to be easy to relocate. The yard and the switching area are independent and sitting on existing furniture - no legs. The corner module connecting the two can be easily replaced as needed in a new location. The switching area was intended for a 2X7 foam-core door but the desire for under-layout switch machines (blue point) and wiring required a frame. The deck is 1/8 plywood (door-skin) on a one-foot grid of 3/4x3 boards.

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Layout diagram
Lift up
Bolt-on turntable
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Pallets
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Lift-up

I wanted to use the space available by crossing the door opening but wanted something to allow easy access. The lift-up is longer than most and includes a curve but it functions quite well. Since it is exposed and does not need scenery to hide it the construction and use are simplified.

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Layout diagram
Lift up
Bolt-on turntable
Eccentric turntable
Corner curve
Pallets
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Bolt-on turntable

My original plans did not include a turntable but when I started to run the layout I realized that operation would be more interesting with some way to turn engines. I decided I could add a turntable near the door at the end of an industry spur. I built a very simple one - manually driven and, because there are only two positions, registration is not a problem. The pivot is brass tube in a brass tube. The support is one sheet of styrene rotating against a fixed sheet of styrene. Track polarity reversal is through an MRC DCC reverser. I call it a bolt-on because the frame of the turntable is bolted to the end of the layout. When it is time to move the layout I can remove the turntable without disturbing the main benchwork.

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Layout diagram
Lift up
Bolt-on turntable
Eccentric turntable
Corner curve
Pallets
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Eccentric Turntable

I needed another turntable at the yard end of the run but hated to part with yard space. I ended with what I call an eccentric turntable because the pivot is not in line with a lead track. I doubt that this is original because I have admired the use in British display layouts of such features as sector-plates and transfer tables. The eccentric turntable turns the loco and also transfers it to an adjacent track to allow flexibility in switching trains. When the turntable is not in use its tracks can be used as yard extensions.

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Layout diagram
Lift up
Bolt-on turntable
Eccentric turntable
Corner curve
Pallets
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24 inch curve

Squeezing a layout into a small room requires some compromises. This corner is mine. The nominal radius is 24 inches (comparable to 18 in HO) and this is tight in S scale. With easement the radius in the middle is around 20.5 inches. I run forty-foot freight cars with 2-8-0 locos and these all run reliably on the curve. This picture is to demonstrate that I am at the limit with my equipment.

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Layout diagram
Lift up
Bolt-on turntable
Eccentric turntable
Corner curve
Pallets
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Pallets

Pallets are an idea I definitely got from UK modelers. The idea is that we probably will not be happy with just one loco but we don't have space to store the extras on the layout. A pallet is a short piece of track that can connect directly with layout track but can be stored off-layout when not in use. This saves handling the loco and saves time in setting up the loco on layout track. My pallets are just pieces of 1/8 ply with track on them and some contacts at the end to mate with the layout and power the loco.

Menu - choose one
Home
Layout diagram
Lift up
Bolt-on turntable
Eccentric turntable
Corner curve
Pallets
or scroll down


Animation is from software sold by Alchemy Mindworks
If you have not yet visited the internet magazine Model Railroad Hobbyist I urge you to do so. The magazine subscription is free and the contents of the magazine and its supporting website are valuable.

For information on S-scale model railroading try:
http://www.trainweb.org/crocon/sscale.html
Thanks for your time.
aarmstro(at)charter(dot)net