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Ask MR
For more questions and answers,
watch the video series “Ask MRVP” at
http://www.ModelRailroaderVideoPlus.com.MORE
Q&AQ I notice there are different types of
tempered hardboard. Which hardboard
type did the MR staff use for its T-Trak
module challenge (June 2016), and how
thick was it?
I’m thinking of doing a similar
concept for my 2'-6" x 8'-6" switching
layout so I can lift off modular sections
from an L-girder platform and replace
them with a new block of scenery. In
this way I could continually refresh andmodify the railway over time. Do you
know of anybody who’s done some-
thing similar? Is this a crazy idea?
Mark Rees, TorontoA Whenever we use tempered hard-
board for a project, it’s almost always^1 ⁄ 8 "
thick, single-side surfaced. That’s what
we used for our T-Trak module challenge
and for the fascia and backdrop of many
other projects.As for your interchangeable module
idea, well, that’s what modular means.
It’s easy to switch out modules on a
stand-alone layout to change up indus-
tries or scenery; we ran an article like
that back in February 2008. Check out
“Seven paired industries, one versatile
scheme” by Robert P. Foster.Q After a many-year hiatus in the
hobby, I’m going through my boxes of
HO scale trains for a project to do with
my grandson. I found the December
1974 MR with Jack Work’s article “Track
Planning for Small Spaces.” I had
always hoped to build it as a standard
gauge HO layout with 18" minimum
radius. Now the time is right. Any ideas
on how to convert that track plan
would by appreciated.
Michael Barber, Reston, Va.A It looks like the minimum radius on
Mr. Work’s track plan is 10". Enlarging
the plan 180 percent (1 track square =
21.6") would give you a minimum radius
of the desired 18". Mathematically and
geometrically, it would probably be easier
on you to simply double the size of the
plan (1 square = 24", minimum curve
radius 20"). The only adjustment to be
made after that would be to change the
spacing of parallel tracks to conform to
the standard for HO scale (2^1 ⁄ 8 " on cen-
ter). This may allow you to add more
tracks in yards, as well as more and larg-
er trackside structures. Let us know how
your project comes out.Q I’m building an N scale model
railroad and having a problem with my
turnouts. When one of my locomotives
goes into the turnout, it loses power. It
seems as though the plastic frog and/or
guard rail will raise one side of the
engine off of the rails. I can press down
on the engine and it will run again.
What can I do to rectify this situation?
Way ne Lilly, Gl e n ar m , I ll.A Figuring out what’s consistent about
the problem will help you narrow down
what the problem is. Does it happen on
all your turnouts? Are they all the same
type, brand, and size? Then it might be
the locomotive. Check whether the loco-
motive’s wheel flanges meet National
Model Railroad Association (NMRA)Q
Just recently, I watched parts 1 and 2 of “Taking Care of Business:
Copper Basin Ry.” on Model Railroader Video Plus. I wanted to
design a track plan for the Copper Basin, but I can’t seem to find detailed
maps of the railroad. Do you know of any good maps I could use? Thanks.
Braden Gryskiewicz, Wadsworth, OhioA
Hello, Braden! Thanks for dropping us a note. I designed an HO track
plan for the Copper Basin Ry. (CBR), which you can find on pages 26
and 27 of Model Railroading: The Ultimate Guide 2019. It might serve as a
good starting point for your own layout design.
To plan that layout, I spent a lot of time with Google Maps satellite
images, following the entire line from the Union Pacific connection to its
conclusion. I made a number of screen captures of key line details and
features to help pull together the finished plan. Google’s satellite images
are far better than any maps you may come up with, as they give you not
only track and structure locations, but also scenic details.
Even on a limited railroad like the CBR, which serves just one industry,
I couldn’t hope to have included all of the trackage on the prototype.
Following the operating details from Charlie Conway’s two videos,
I selected tracks that would make sense for a model railroad that could be
run with a few friends.
I particularly had fun tracing the maze of tracks for the ASARCO indus-
trial railroad inside the Hayden smelter. I could only guess at half of their
functions, but some of the tracks had good clues – particularly where
various types of cars were spotted. The ASARCO railroad could easily make
a layout all on its own.
Best wishes on your endeavor! – David Popp, Model Railroader Video
Plus producerModel Railroader Video Plus contributor Charlie Conway visited the Copper
Basin Ry. for the MRVP video series “Taking Care of Business.” David Popp later
designed an HO scale model railroad of the prototype. Charlie Conway photoWhere do I get Copper Basin Ry. maps?
Send questions and tips to associate editor
Steven Otte at [email protected].