I did about the same things you are doing now. I got rid of the x crossover section and built a bridge over instead and like you straightened our the track like you on the bridge. You are on the right approach.
Easier than using layout design software! I think this was a good way to go, and it relegates the old layout into the inspiration zone. I had been thinking you should just take out the risers entirely as well and start fresh / flat. With flextrack, you are totally not bound to any built-in sectional track easement issues. Just curve them as you wish I guess! I'd love to have the space to make use of such freedom. Looking forward to see how it all goes!
Hey man, the flextrack opens a whole new can a worms. I have already bought an 18, 20,23, and straight track alignment tools that are suppose to make sure nothin gets out of whack. 60 bucks to make sure they are right. Ill know when i my second load of googies get here.
Very impressive design work! Mike, there's another inherent problem with this Woodland system. They transition from O degree grade to 4 degree grade way too abruptly with their 0-1" incline starters. You might think that the start of these foam incline starter pieces is gentle but your consists will disagree with derailments and decouplings. Whenever you start or stop a 4 degree incline try and spread it out over several inches. (maybe 6-8" vs 0"). Good old plaster cloth strips can help. 4 degrees is the maximum incline and Woodlands picked this grade to make to layout compact at the sacrifice of reliability. I'm envious of your fun project!!
Thanks, bought some foam putty someone suggested for that purpose...I was thinking 4/6 inches either side of end point. Enough you think? but both are a option when I get there. Still jockeying around a bit. No glue yet.
@@copterdude1 I'd get a 24" rubber flex ruler and bend it into a gently curve and lay the ends equidistant before and after each grade change. Where there's a gap, use the filler of your choice to build it up.
I'll work it.. Another question.. How did you transition from foam roadbed to level cork in yard area? After using track on flat cork for a bit..lessons learned? Would you still do it again or just put foam bed on cork? shew ..lots of questions
@@copterdude1 My front platform panel is the same elevation as the top of the 2"risers. I butted from 3/16" foam track bed right up to the 3/16" cork bed. My entire front siding yard is cork. I though about ballasting it but I kind of like the look of cork for this portion of the layout. If you use foam track bed for this front section then you'd really need to ballast it.
Here is what I did Added plywood to match around…same level Added 1/2 foam to back and sides to match those 4 bottom panels Added 1/2 cork to front Declined front stretch to cork level Declined new outer track to cork level Everything looked great. Then I remembered the foam that goes on risers! I either have to run foam on the cork or decline the trackbed to be level at the cork top. Dig out the foam 3/16 decline to match at cork. Dan suggested interface cork roadbed. Just priced , I dont need a whole box for 50 bucks
When following the instructions in the Grand Valley book your initial work is mainly raising almost everything two inches and creating a second starting point for the rest of the build. This is mainly to accommodate the inner left loop which declines from that level for the overpass in the tunnel. I eliminated that decline and the overpass in the tunnel, kept it at the same level as everything else. I decided to just start with a 1 1/2 solid foam board surface that the rest of the layout elevations will be up from that upon. Of course I will have a lot of risers that will serve no purpose but I saw this as an easier approach. Let's hope it works out.
used all 2's at first, outer track 1's. Had to bring all risers to level 1/2 cork for the new yard. Ill show that progress in next vid. I have a bunch of 2in pink that once the layout is solidified gonna used that to fill that bottom in and start the base of the mountains..plural
Mike after your last video Im wondering if I should scrap the whole plan and use Kato Unitrack. Maybe I need to ask Mark as he used Bachman. He did though tell me he thought the Atlas would be better. Those 18” curves 🤦🏻. Mark can you post your track plan please. No word from WS on my boards.
wish I can help... i know nothing about bachman or kato. I totally disliked being locked into 18 in radius with a pot load of little pieces to put together. but no easements. 3 experienced gvl guys told me FLEX. easy nuf.. PECO was overall choice from experienced guys. also the more expensive. hope helps
I'm doing my modified Grans Valley layout using EZ Track. This being my first layout I wanted something that at least I felt would be easier to work with. I put the design in XTrackcad software to determine the pieces needed. I printed the layout on my printer and laid it out on the foam board and am in the process of doing rough fit test. I got good deals on the majority of the new track on Ebay. We'll see how it works out but I'm sure as with any project there will be issues.
@@randywright6285 do you have your track plan. I was thinking of switching to back to Kato. Mark used Bachman.I would appreciate it if you guys can share your track layouts. Thanks all for your input and help. Mike cant wait to see how things work out.
Im starting to think I wasted. another $300 on the Atlas track 18” 😂🤦🏻. So I first invested in Kato Unitrack now Im stuck with this crappy Atlas 18” headache. Not happy with WS for not addressing this problem.
hi, yep my first playlist was the whole initial build ending with the deconstruction. The original had some major track issues that were covered in the first couple vids in this series. Improving original to correct what I felt were both design and install problems. Also expanding to what folks have been calling the PLUS version. I video as I proceed through process. Although a little slower and with caution this time. Come on back
korey gave you a little food for thought before youre big undertaking in your other post. Depending on youre path I would suggest buying supplies per stage. It didnt feel as bad as all at once. I can help what I can. I am starting my snowbird move New years and will not be posting till april. I can respond to emails but they may have delays sometimes I have internet sometimes not. Let me know youre path. @@koreycleland3040
