So, I was reading an old magazine/track plan and have noticed that some trackplans with locomotive servicing terminals have roundhouses with open backs. Specifically, I have a question regarding “cut open” roundhouses. I assume that you have to cut them/shape PRIOR to building… OR do some people build the whole thing and then figure out where to cut?
Have any of you done this? I am thinking it would free up some landscape for me, but I am daunted by the task… Just wondering.
Brian
Brian,
I’ll assume you are referring to a roundhouse that has the open side against the edge of the layout…if I were going to cut open a building, I’d assemble the entire building and then using a laser level type light as a guide, draw a line along the light beam and then cut the building on a bandsaw with a very fine tooth blade installed. With a moderate feed rate and the soft styrene, I think you could produce a very fine cut line with minimal or no melting of the stryene from the heat generated by the blade…call me crazy, but that’s how I would do it!
Don Z.
Exactly my question, Don. I was thinking if you had at an angle, cutting the parts prior would be almost impossible… I was just nervous about putting my structure thru a bandsaw (YIKES!)
Brian