I am thinking about giving up on the old standard - the 4x8 - and going modular, in part so I can participate in the local modular club (modules are not mandatory for this club, but I like the idea of building something).
My preliminary idea is to do something set int the late 20s. Orangeville (Ontario) had fairly extensive loco service facilities along with a yard and several industries located at or near the yard. There was a 76' turntable, 50 ton coal tower, water column (and presumably a tank) passenger station, frieght station, and (my favourite) a 5 stall roundhouse. Most of this was brand new in the 1920s after a complete overhaul to the facility and yard.
Does this type of scenario lend itself well to a module (or several)? Am I too ambitious?
Any thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Advice? Experience good or bad? Although I have been very impressed with the work of these people (see links below), and the modular idea seems really great, I find I am getting "cold feet" or maybe "analysis-paralysis" as I consider the idea for myself...
Thanks!
Andrew
Note: Here are a few links -
This is what inspired me to think about loco servicing in steam:
http://www.geocities.com/fundynorthern/FirstModules.html
A beautiful layout of Orangeville:
http://www.mcswiz.com/MyLayout/Orangeville.htm
My local HOTrak modular club:
http://www.hotrak.ca/
Railway Bob's info on module construction:
http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/ModuleConstruction/ModConstr01.htm
A modular setup belonging to a HOTrak member that is integrated with his home layout:
http://www.ovar.ca/Thuot/jacques_thuot.htm
My preliminary idea is to do something set int the late 20s. Orangeville (Ontario) had fairly extensive loco service facilities along with a yard and several industries located at or near the yard. There was a 76' turntable, 50 ton coal tower, water column (and presumably a tank) passenger station, frieght station, and (my favourite) a 5 stall roundhouse. Most of this was brand new in the 1920s after a complete overhaul to the facility and yard.
Does this type of scenario lend itself well to a module (or several)? Am I too ambitious?
Any thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Advice? Experience good or bad? Although I have been very impressed with the work of these people (see links below), and the modular idea seems really great, I find I am getting "cold feet" or maybe "analysis-paralysis" as I consider the idea for myself...
Thanks!
Andrew
Note: Here are a few links -
This is what inspired me to think about loco servicing in steam:
http://www.geocities.com/fundynorthern/FirstModules.html
A beautiful layout of Orangeville:
http://www.mcswiz.com/MyLayout/Orangeville.htm
My local HOTrak modular club:
http://www.hotrak.ca/
Railway Bob's info on module construction:
http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/ModuleConstruction/ModConstr01.htm
A modular setup belonging to a HOTrak member that is integrated with his home layout:
http://www.ovar.ca/Thuot/jacques_thuot.htm