At time frame 19:27 in this video Ken Patterson shows a modular section that is removable from the layout…
Ken Patterson ,…He discussed it in one of his “what’s neat” videos…
Where would be a good place to find more extensive information on this type construction??
It appears to be a sectional foam scene that sits on a plywood base, and can be lifted from the layout for work or photos in another location,…even outdoors.
I have in mind covering all my plywood decks/shelfs with 3/16" foamcore, then making cutout portions with a sharp instrument for those areas I want to be able to ‘extract’ from the layout at certain times.
The track itself then may, or may not, have its own roadbed (cork, perhaps 1/8") laid upon the foamcore.
I’ve watched that video before, cool idea. I think it’s pretty self-explanatory, just by looking at the modular out side. You can see that the bottom layers are solid one piece sections, to keep the modular rigid for moving it around. All of the modular sections look thick, with layers of foam.
Do this with just a thin layer supporting the modular would lead to problems, trying to move it.
I know you like extensive, endless research, but in the video, he mentions that the September issue of that series, he talks about the design. Maybe check that out. Looking at the date on this video, it looks like 2015.
I can remove individual structures and scenery areas, but not to the extent that Ken can take his apart. I made parts of mine removable to access the hidden track work I have.
Mike.
Patterson puts out a lot of videos. On some he builds dioramas so you could get a look at the construction. He also has a site with his name on it where he sells things including videos. I can’t get the free previews to download.
Two and three layers of 2" foam add a lot of strength and rigidity that you will have to get with the plywood in your proposed technique. A lot of the MRVP layouts are modular design. I have a subscription, but some of those might be free and they all have been articles in MR
I used 2" blue foam and it is plenty strong to support my N scale layout. I have supports about every 16-18". No plywood base. However, I would not try to climb on it. I can put some serious weight on it as long as I am directly over a support piece but that is risky because it may leave an indention in the foam.
Perhaps I have not expressed my desires correctly,…maybe I should have said, “attaching structures to scenery”? I found a discussion on this forum from back in 2010 by Doctorwayne,…
[quote]
It can also depend on how you’ve constructed your layout. Mine is patching plaster over window screen in most areas, but urban areas and larger structures sit atop plywood, cut either for individual buildings or for a group of buildings. The ones on plywood are usually secured by the addition of ground cover, held in place by a mixture of white glue and water. The buildings don’t move, but can be removed with a little effort (which messes-up the nearby scenery).
I also use sidewalks and roads to hold structures in place:
…on another forum…
[quote]
Rick Sutton
Here’s a few photos of the modules/dominoes that I built to allow for removal to workbench. No track is on a domino, only structures and scenery.
Area of domino modification. 4 sections surrounded by track on heavier construction. The track sections have had strips of wood added for the dominoes to bear on.
Domino construction. Foamcore is 5mm thick and balsa 1/2" (13.48mm).
I excerpted this discussion over there as I was reading thru it,…just another reason to consider 'removable structures/scenes,…
[quote]
Pelsea
I am doing much the same, as I definitely know there will be a move some day. I also have to deal with the fact that my layout is 30" deep. If I were building in a disciplined back to front order rather than my scattershot ADD approach that would be a small problem, but I need to remove front items to work on the back. And the back is just a bit too far for a lot of reaching (there’s no track back there), the things up there will be on units that I can build at my bench.
Here is an in progress example:
Eventually, the whole layout will be a jigsaw puzzle with very little actually glued down:
I still have several questions to answer:
- What is the best base for these little scene modules? I tried foamcore, but it warped after about 6 months. Pink foam also has long term stability issues. (I cut module bases to size, and left them in place for a year.) This one is on 1/16 plywood which seems stable enough, but is a bit flexible. (There is a reinforcing board along the back behind the fence.) I’ve looked at various plastics, but it’s hard to get scenic material to stick. I may wind up with a plastic base with plywood sections attac
No, you started out asking for this:
Ken Patterson’s method of removable LAYOUT sections.
Methods to make your buildings removable is a different discussion.
Mike.
