Jim went on to write the following in a later email..... > 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.
By far the best built modules I've seen are by Frank Knight of the Sn2 crew. His 6' long modul can be carried with one hand. He uses an airplane like composite contstruction of foam and luan. For the sides he uses masonite. He has nicely curved modules and even straight sides too. He transports and sets up his two 36" radius reverse loops and yard module on his own (with help from his wife). No web article yet, I should get after him....I might have a few photos, there might be some on the Sn2_Trains yahoogroup...Join to contact him... > 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. How does wieght help stability? It creates a higher center of gravity... Wdith and connecting to curves or at angles add the most stability! > > 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. Holding a 180-200 pound man is not the same as module use. I presume your laying the foam flat....Luan would probably break too....Masonite would surely bend.... Strength is on edge....Adding ribs behind sides makes for strength.... As for damage to the sides...Paint will probably make it more durable, and puddy repairs not a big deal. Your module will be lighter so less likely to damage....It could fall from 4 feet without significant damage... A rigid wood frame would crack.... I would test the installation of controls in the side of gato foam, prior to making a module..... I've not built in Gator foam...but I've seen it work....quite well... You have to take the leap of faith....believe my son...feel the force luke... Dave K. ----> > > > Hi Bill. > > > > The article was an introductory piece about the numerous sizes and types of > > Gator foam and their applications for model railroad > > construction...buildings, bases etc. > > > > As I get older, my Free-Mo modules seem to be gaining weight. I plan to > > retire my current modules to the basement after next January's Springfield > > show, and I'm thinking of building new ones out of Gator foam board. I'm > > trying for a target weight of 10-15 pounds per module. > > > > If the article can't be found, I can find websites on how to glue it and > > use it. > > > > Jim, > > Sam Swanson had a detailed article in Light Iron Digest. You might check the > LID back issue list. He has built on HOn30 module (FYI: the top side of his > module is being featured iin NG&SLG articles at present) that is very light > (10 pounds at most). > > There were LDSIG articles recently too (in last 2-3 issues I'd say). > > Someone else referenced an On30 construction that looks interesting....But > not gator foam: http://www.trainweb.org/nbrandn/standards.htm > > Other groups use Luan with, the Sippin Switch group out of NC has lightweight > standards. > > Free-mo likes to have 5/8 or 3/4 birch ends. I'm not sure how that will go > with gator foam...The thickness is to avoid warping...Your group may be able > to accept a change, as thickness is not required with Gator foam or some > other techniques. > > Good Luck, > > Dave K. ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
