Jim,
When the Houston S Gaugers started our modules, which are still our
basic oval, 25 years ago they were designed by Jack Troxell. Jack
worked as an engineer designing all kind of equipment for the oil
industry--meaning very heavy duty stuff. Where #8 screws were common he
demanded we use #10's--you get the idea. I've commented that those
modules could hold an elephant (if your Republican) or a small herd of
donkeys (assuming your a Democrat) without buckling.
The problem is that we were all 25 years younger, so the weight has
caught up with us. Lighter modules and ways of carrying all of them
have been a priority for us. The typical train-shows always brings up
clubs who have found new and different ways to deal with this
situation. I've always been surprised at some of the elaborate and
costly trailers, racks and support facilities some of these clubs can
roster.
If you want to put the lightweight modules on tables, I might be
concerned about them sliding around on the slick top surface. Maybe
some kind of anchoring pegs might help there. We mix our heavy older
units with the lighter ones and because we normally have a oval of some
kind everything sticks together. I could see where a long branch line
would be an easy candidate for some human earthquakes. In my business,
we use sandbags to stabilize things--more heavy stuff to carry!
When it comes to puncture problems, if you could find (or maybe they
still make it) the older version of this material, you'd find it much
stronger shell. In fact it was very much like an egg shell-off white
with a Formica like surface. Another way might be to laminate some thin
luan door skin. You would only be adding a pound or two and it
certainly would be stronger.
Bob Werre
On 5/17/12 7:07 PM, Jim and Cheryl Martin wrote:
Thanks to all who responded. I'm definitely going to take a closer
look at this site: http://www.trainweb.org/nbrandn/standards.htm
Thanks Bob
Some members of the The S Scale Workshop, myself included, are
looking ahead to the third generation of our travelling layout,
keeping our existing interface standards, while seeking to reduce the
amount of weight we have to carry...hence the interest in Gator foam
board. The trick here is not to obsolete any of the older, heavier
modules that some members may want to keep active.
I also realize that a freestanding layout can be too light if someone
should push against it at a train show. The ultimate solution might
be modules we can set on the sort of tables one finds at train show
venues. There's still a lot of thinking to be done, but I hope to
start building something new this summer in the garage.
Bob W. mentioned that the Gator board surface is easily punctured.
That's true. I was able to do so simply by rapping a sample piece
with my knuckle. I had been demonstrating the strength of the stuff
by putting a piece of half-inch foam between two stools and standing
on it. However, once I had punctured the surface of the sample piece,
it broke in half on the next demonstration.
Jim Martin
*From:* Robert Frascella <[email protected]>
*To:* [email protected]
*Sent:* Thursday, May 17, 2012 9:21:40 AM
*Subject:* Re: {S-Scale List} Help please
Jim,
If you're looking to build really light weight modules take a look at
the construction details from this Rhode Island On30 modular group:
http://www.trainweb.org/nbrandn/standards.htm
I was really impressed with the strength of their modules considering
how light weight they are. Some really cool framing ideas there.
Bob Frascella
Wenham, MA
On Thu, May 17, 2012 at 9:05 AM, Jim and Cheryl Martin
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
H
