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Modular Layout Recommendations
Charles is planning an N scale layout and asks:
“I’d like to build a 3-section layout that I can bring out at Christmas and set up in the living room for the holiday. A dogbone design is more or less what I had in mind. I don’t know how to set up the tracks that will span between the segments. I plan on putting it in places where I’ll have removable upright 2 or 3″ dia. dowels as studs throughout the layout so I can put a protective top on each section. The base will be a hollow door cut into 3 sections. I am looking for help, suggestions,etc. Thanks!”
If you can advise Charles, then please post your comments here.
3 Responses to Modular Layout Recommendations
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Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
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Use Kato Unitrack. They have an expansion piece that you can use to bridge the joints/gaps
You might want to reconsider the hollow core door. The ones I’ve seen have very thin plywood (less than 1/8 inch) on either side of a mostly hollow core. Not much there to attach anything. And the interior cross pieces will pretty much set the size of each section, assuming you want a solid edge all around each section.
On the tracks, leave a 3″ opening (no rail) on each module and then have ‘temp cross track’ pieces to fit between the track ends of each module. Keep them in a well marked envelop for reuse when setting up modules again!