Last night I started construction but didn't have my camera anywhere nearby. I went over to my parent's house to do this as they have a nice yard and all of my tools are there. Since I currently live in an apartment I really don't have much room to build anything. The front and end frameworks are built. The framing is select pine 1X3's. Each section is built at 23-1/2" X 47-1/2" in size. You may be wondering why I am a half inch off of a 2X4 section as I stated they will be 2X4. That extra half inch is actually a quarter inch per side. I am going to use 1/4" wood on the ends that will be cut into the terrain profile that I want and everything will be built up to match. When complete they will end up being 2'X4' in size.
As shown in my layout drawing, the single siding on the right crosses the junction of 3 modules. That is only on paper as I have modified it a bit lower to miss that spot. In the current picture you can see that I have wood cut out only underneath where the track will sit. Remember, this is open grid construction. Foam will build out the rest. The subroadbed areas are not pine or plywood like the framework but instead are 1/2" mdf. This was chosen due to it's density and acoustic properties as it doesn't amplify noise to the extent that plywood does. Although not attached yet in this photo, these sections will be raised up off of the framework. The top surface of the subroadbed will be exactly 2" above the top of the frame below. This will allow me to have scenic elements both above and below track level which adds interest. The subroadbed will be attached to the support risers with 3M contact cement rather than screws or nails. This is to help yet further isolate noise. Contact cement is actually quite strong when done properly and once all other scenery is installed around it will be very secure. Any amount of dampening, even in small amounts in strategic locations, will go a long way to having a fairly quiet layout and it is still possible to have a layout that isn't heavy.
The back section has not been built yet. I plan on doing it tomorrow as nothing will get built tonight. This section will be a little different than the other 3 which have identical frames. This last frame structure will have a recessed area for the water scene that the trestle will traverse. The water area will be recessed exactly 2" below the top of the main framework. My goal for the rest of the week is to get this rear frame built and the rest of the subroadbed pieces cut as I have a couple more to go. The subroadbed pieces are cut to 3" in total width.
Anyways, here is the grainy picture. Again sorry about the quality. It was taken on a phone. Incidentally, the frame structure of each section only weighs 5 lbs. This is not including the subroadbed but the point is that this will not be heavy when complete.
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