being in the navy, i tend to move around a lot. when i start construction on my next layout, i’m going to build it as a sectional railroad. my question is, do i build all the benchwork, bolt it all together and then lay the scenery? When it comes time for dismantlement do i simply unbolt the sections and then cut through the scenery with a saw? or do i build each section seperatly, add the scenery and then bolt it up with the other sections? if i do this how do i hide the lines in the scenery from one section to the other. i appreciate all the help.
Build your sections with moving in mind, and make sure your tracks will be brought into close alignment when you screw, bolt, shim, or dowel the sections together. As for hiding the gaps between the sections, you could use narrow paper towel strips (not the towels themselves) dipped in plaster of paris, placed over the gaps, and allowed to dry. When they are dry, carefully dab them with the colour of latex paint that matches the adjacent section surfaces, and cover with ground cover of your choice. Overspray with a white glue/water/dish soap mixture and you should be all set.
Edit - looking back, I failed to address all your questions. Yes, plan and build your bench pieces/sections. Your track plan should be carefully decided by then. Cover the tops of the sections with extruded foam, if that is your intent (your choice of thickness) cut to be closely gapped to each other where they have to be gapped. When it comes to scenic work, I would lay the track first, and then add the ground cover. Any topography, such as mountains, should be installed prior to the track…of course.
When you move, unbolt to let the pieces sag apart slightly…they may not… but that will allow you to take a serrated knife and cut through the plaster towels at the gaps very easily…In fact, you could probably just peel them off…no knife needed.
This link http://www.ntrak.org/ will give you good information on constructing the framework for your sectional layout. The difference between modular and sectional is the requirements modular design has on track placement. Personally, I am not putting the wiring connectors at each section, I am for now just running the wire and leaving a little slack where I may want to pull out a section for a redo. I figure I can put connectors in when I need them.
selector’s advice on hiding the joints is the best I have heard, I am still scenicing my first section although I have three built with the track laid. Good Luck and have fun.
Here is another link that might help. http://home.alltel.net/ah50902/benchwork.htm
my layout is modular with sections that are 48" x 12". it’s based on the n scale one track design. i made it modular so if i move or want to expand or modify it will be easy to take apart. the modules are made with 1x2s that have been milled down to 1/2" thick with 2 and 1/2" of foam boards over the frame. at the joints i’m using the fibreglass wallboard tape with a thin layer of joint compound over the tape with the rails laid right across the joint. if i have to take it apart i’ll just cut through the rails and the tape to separate the modules. to provide for easy reassembly i have used 2" removable pin hinges at both the front and back at each end of the modules. when putting it back together just line up the hinges and drop in the pins which will line up the rails perfectly. if you paint the edges between modules before reassembly to match the scenery the joints won’t show too much.
If you do go with foam construction, you can plant trees and shrubs (do not glue them in place) along the joints to conceal them. Then, when moving time comes around again, pull up the trees and shrubs, then carefully replant them when you’ve got the layout set up again. It may be a bit of work; but the joints will be virtually invisible.
Another way of hiding some of your joints between boards would be to cover them with roads / tracks with bridges over the track. When you want to split the boards you lift off the road section first. While this doubles the number of joint lines to be disguised (a joint each side of the road section) this is to some extent easier to disguise as road verge is a normal/natural break. The road does not have to be at right angles to either the track or the baseboard, just so long as the two ends cover the baseboard / unit / module joint.
Another thing to consider is to identify the normal viewing position (For simplicity the middle of the front of the layout) and then arrange you scenery to slope in a downward direction away from that viewing point… this will help to hide the joint behind higher ground.
Then there are buildings that you can “plant” over the joints… similarly tree lines, hedges, fences, walls… a retaining wall to one side of a yard or highway can sit on the joint… again don’t restrict the disguise to perpendiculer to the track / module sides.
If you’re navy you maybe don’t think about camoflage so much? I don’t think that "making smoke will do you much good… maybe you should ask the Marines or the Army… what you are looking for is camoflage.
One thing to do is NOT use the same trick at each joint.
A road split down the middle looks like a road split down the middle… but the whole road can cover the joint or you can use a median strip… even with street lighting, centre barriers, and road signs fitted on it.
The most difficult thing to hid is the joint in the track.
You have to decide whether you run your rails through and cut them if you move or lay them through and cut them straight away. I would NOT lay track up to joints to make butt joints.
What you do depends (A) on you and (B) on how often you anticipate moving.
What I would do is make the last inch or two each
The Old Dog would suggest that you NOT build “a sectional railroad” meaning a layout that is designed to fit into a particular space and to be broken into sections for moving. It is unlikily that space in your next residence will be the same size and shape as your current space.
Instead, the Old Dog would suggest that you build modules that can be reused. For use in a particular situation, you might then build some temporary bridge sections to link the modules. As one module is completed, put it in storage, and start on the next. For example, you might use two N-Trak modules plus a couple of U-Turn sections for your temporary layout. When one modular is entirily done, store it, and build another. Later when you have a larger space, you can use all the modules together.
By the same token, you could consider building structures and rolling stock for use later when you have space for the layout.
Have fun