In
August, I closed the chapter on the M & M Sub.
After
25 years, the large double-deck layout was no more, save for an L-shaped
portion of the old upper deck that I planned to use for a switching layout.
Nothing
happened until November, when I started working on the new layout.
Since
the “benchwork” (two-inch Styrofoam) was already up, things went quite quickly.
By
December 4, the first train was running.
Today,
I think the basic track plan is set (although never say never).
The
new layout models an industrial spur on the outskirts of a fictitious major
Canadian city.
The idea
is that trains leave the city (staging) and go through a more rural area to
reach a small town some distance away.
The
time is pre-1989, so I finally have a prototypical reason to use by two Rapido
vans.
It
also gives me a reason to use more boxcars serving industries, since that was
more common 30 years ago.
The
layout serves seven industries, including a transloading facility (team-type
track).
Maximum
train length is five or six cars, which is perfect for switching that many industries.
The
layout is supported by a three-track staging or fiddle yard at one end.
Trains
enter from staging (the city), and can switch two trailing point sidings before
entering a larger industrial area in the nearby town.
After
switching in that area, trains head back and can switch two more trailing point sidingss on their way back to staging.
The
layout is centred on a large industry (a mill) in the corner, built by my
friend Rick Ritchie.
It’s
quite a change from the large double-deck M & M Sub., with its 230-foot mainline,
two levels, large yard, controls for four operators, and trains of 18-20 cars
plus two or three locomotives.
But
I am enjoying it, especially the building part.
There’s
still lots to do; the layout looks a mess right now without any ground cover.
And there’s lots of tweaking and fine-tuning to do, plus adding scenery and
backdrops and fixing the structures.
But
so far, the little layout is doing exactly what I hoped: Rekindling my
enthusiasm and interest in the hobby—which had waned over the past few years
when I finished my previous layout.
In
other words, there’s a reason to go back into the basement again . . . .
