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With just a tad more trackwork required to finish off the upper level of our Canadian Canyons N scale layout, David Popp stumbles into a tricky patch where the main section connects with the detachable lobe. No worries, David shows you a bulletproof solution to keep track secured and aligned on both sections of the layout!
Enjoying the Canadian Canyon series. I am working in HO. My layout has some spots that I want to separate track because I may need to move it one day. I am trying to replicate the track patch with the PC board. Got on the cloverhouse.com site but couldn’t find the PC board. How does the track power keep connection? Feeder wires on either side of patch to the main Bus?
Can someone explain why the copper tie has to be scored and the potential for short circuit?
Any reason single sided PC Board ties couldn’t be used?
Would eliminate the need to notch the back side.
Wow, David… just a note about how much I am enjoying your Canadian Canyon series. The CC layout is well designed, sophisticated, and a challenge for even advanced modelers. Your creativity and skill set a wonderful example. I especially like how you explain goofs and how you recover from them… something we all do but hate to admit. You are amazing. Keep up the good work. I can’t wait to see the finished project.
David,
Another great ‘instructional’ video as I have some similar problems to solve on my lift out bridges and I think you have given me the tips I need to make them bullet proof. See you next weekend at Trainfest.
Have you tried Gapmaster pc board ties from American Tie and Timber (.com)?
Hope Timothy didn’t go to sleep during the portion of the vid where David pointed out the problem of shorting by not separate both sides of the PC strip (tie). A lot of nice work to get almost all of the rail in place.
Would it be easier if Kent followed prototype practice in “building the scenery” first? There was much discussion on that when hard-shell scenery was introduced lo those many years ago. One of the ideas was to put down the sub-roadbed, then construct a complete hill/mountain over it. Before doing all the tree “planting”, a cut was made of an appropriate width so that that contour of the hill/mountain would remain. Problems arose when trying to lay track, but the hill/mountain side looked great.
Hello all.
No, Jerry, the layout will not be at Trainfest this year. However, the layout is now a lot further along than it appears at this point in the video. If you are around on Friday of Trainfest, consider stopping in Waukesha to visit the MR offices and see it. The Fraser side is coming along splendidly!
Yes, Daniel, great suggestion on the re-railer in the gap. I’ll keep it in mind. And yes, my rail nippers seemed to have “nipped out” on me, so I used Ben’s in a pinch!
Brian, the Dremel would work fine, but the razor saw made a much smaller gap in the rail, which is why I used it here – particularly with the curve.
Lots more Canadian Canyons to come!
David
This is certainly a complex project and you’ve done a great job of explaining each step. I’m guessing it will not be ready for display at Trainfest in 10 days. Am I right?? Definitely part of my decision to attend or not again this year.
Great tip on maintaining track separation in curves. Popp, you’re the best!
I think anyone building a layout today should consider making the layout so that it can be taken apart in sections. Life is all about living with constant change, now. Making your layout so you can disassemble and reassemble at your next home makes a whole bunch of sense to me.
Jerry, there’s a significant lag getting these videos posted. I know there were a couple of other videos posted last month which (in the background) showed much of the scenery already in on Canadian Canyons.
This is another great project layout! Cannot wait to see what is coming next…
David Did you cause a short problem when you put the nails in between the rails? Would it have been better to notch the PC board in 4 places?
David – Couldn’t you also use stripwood or styrene to fill the center of the track and create flangeways over the joint? (similar to a rerailer section or a grade crossing) I’ve seen that done with portable layouts and modules, and it is very effective in discouraging derailments.
Also, “your” rail nippers seem to have Ben Lake’s name written clearly on the handle…
Hi David,
Rather than a razor saw, wouldn’t a slitting disc in a dremel have been easier to cut the rails at the joint in the baseboard?
Regards
Brian
The CC has reached a real milestone with trains running on the top level. Golden spike! Thanks for all the more advanced techniques and tips in this series. I’m looking forward to scenery, signals, and that big bridge!
You have convinced me David not separate any parts of my railroad?? But that was a great segment for instruction how to maintain electrical contact between sections. Let the trains run………thanks.