I hope to soon build a module set to add to my club's layout and have been considering various ideas for this module.
I think I've arrived at a winning idea and wanted to get your opinions regarding this idea, both from an operational perspective and from a scenery perspective. I was thinking that, eventually, I'd try to build several of the many fascinating landmarks that dot Burlington Northern's Marias Pass but, for the moment, want to establish a starting point to which I could later add these landmarks. Specifically, I was hoping to start with a flexible ten foot module "block" consisting of two 4 foot modules and two 2 foot modules, as well as an additional two 6 foot "add ons". Here's the basic plan; The two, 4 foot modules would serve as the "ends" of the module block and would be rather similar to each other. The first two feet of both of these modules would be level and would feature a switch on the inside mainline that would lead to a track that branched out towards the inside edge of the module and remain level, despite the rising ground in the second two feet of the 4 foot modules. In the second two feet of the 4 foot modules, the two mainline tracks, and ground will slope upwards until it reaches an up-slope of 2%. Meanwhile, the branch line will enter a cut so that it will remain level. To conceal the branch line from the outside, the ground will slope upwards in the inside of the module. Also, to allow conventional, non-sloping modules to interact with this module block, the ends of the 4 foot modules will slope inward at 2%. When coupled with the 2 foot "summit" modules, which will be sloped outward at 2%, this will allow conventional modules to be added in between the base of the slope and the summit, thus heightening the summit. The summit modules will both be 2 feet in length and will transition the track back to level. By splitting the summit into two 2 foot modules, I could always add additional level track sections at the summit, such as a module containing the obelisk and statue of John F. Stevens that mark the continental divide. Also, conventional modules could also be added to the summit. Finally, the two 6 foot "add ons" would each tie into the level branch tracks that split off the mainline before the track began sloping upwards. After turning the track back onto a parallel course with the mainline, this track would plunge into the Mullan Tunnel (which is also located in Montana), allowing it to remain level but hidden next to the sloping mainline. The upward slope of the ground along the inside edge of the mainline modules, coupled with the continuation of this slope on the six foot add ons, will allow me to generate the terrain height necessary for the tunnel portals. In addition to being a neat feature, this would permit any trains or engines that are unable to negotiate a 2% slope to pass through this section of the layout. Since they only contain a single track, these "add on" modules would only be a foot wide and would bolt onto prepared bolt points on the 4 foot base modules. Also, I plan to create one 4 foot and several 8 foot tunnel sections that would be bolted to the portals of the tunnel to expand the tunnel as additional modules are added to the sloping mainline. These tunnel sections will consist of flanged PVC pipe that will be cut along their tops so that hinged access doors can be installed. As additional modules are added to the mainline, these tunnel sections would be bolted to the portals to expand the length of the tunnel and hung from adjustable hangers located on the summit modules. I'm currently working on drawings of these modules but wanted to get your input before I proceeded further. Here are some pictures of the scenery elements I hope to eventually add to this module block as it is expanded; The Continental Divide (a level 4 foot module to be placed at the summit); In reality, the obelisk is visible from the tracks but, with a little "compression" it will be adjacent to the tracks on the module. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Marias_Pass_Monuments.JPG/280px-Marias_Pass_Monuments.JPG http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FmC64YYE_3g/SdA5SnrwfXI/AAAAAAAAA9U/FWp5Y4lggew/s400/11.jpg http://www.trainweb.org/chris/462.jpg The Mullan Tunnel; http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=159535&nseq=37 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=197048&nseq=33 The Essex Helper Yard (a level module to be added to the base of the slope); http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=74563 The Izaak Walton Inn & IWI Cabooses (located on the other side of the tracks); http://www.freefoto.com/images/1223/10/1223_10_18---Izaak-Walton-Inn--Essex--Montana--USA_web.jpg?&k=Izaak+Walton+Inn%2C+Essex%2C+Montana%2C+USA http://nungesser-russia-adoption.blogspot.com/2010/11/caboose-at-izaak-walton-inn.html The Java Trestle (expanded to two tracks); http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4326067434_d5fcf1d52a.jpg Snowsheds; http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=291616&nseq=1 http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=340528&nseq=0 ------------------------------------ Yahoo! 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