Module Standard for small On30 equipment modeling

 Over the years I have built a number of layouts.

• A small sectional N scale
• A large fixed N scale
• A N scale shelf layout
• 30 feet of N-trak modules
• A 4x8 N scale layout
• A 20x30 basement O scale shelf layout
• A 30" x 8ft On30 mountain layout
• Helped with a large sectional O scale 2 rail portable layout

Having had both fixed layouts and portable I am thinking all future layouts will be portable.  My ideas change, I move, and both lend to selling layouts vs trashing them.

I now have solid plans, and the equipment to model a few things in 1:48.  And a few in N scale too.

• A civil engineering railroad making sewers, roads, and the like.
• A woodsy narrow gauge passenger system from standard gauge station to hotel.
• Standard gauge O for my moguls and cars.
• N scale a woodsy scene to show off a few of my kept models.
• N scale city / warehouse to show of those models.

A natural thing to do would be to use an existing module standard.

In my area the N-trak style On30 outlaws modules are popular.  Up east there is a freemo setup.  These both are larger, wide curve standards for the big colorado style equipment.  

But do I need that large of an area?  And it does not highlight a key feature of the porters, davenports and short railcars, tightly bending track.   So a table top design sounds like a plan.  This one is N, I think I will use it as is for my two N scale scenes.  Unless I build them into a piece of furniture or 7.5" railcar.

But what about a table top design for On30?  This AI generated image gives a start, track at 1" and 5" heights.  The use of portable white tables as support, allow the shape and size to be dictated by needs fremo style.  Maybe I should have the upper track be standard gauge?    

Display Shelves

I moved a light over the new router.

I added a chain to my jack.  

Most importantly I used the majority of my remaining oak to make shelves.

Three shelves 111" long by 5" wide.  The

They have a 1/4" walnut board as the spine on the top side, the bottom is two rows of oak boards, and a lip to double the thickness and hide the walnut.  I will mount an aluminum angle to the wall, then these to the Aluminum angle to have three floating shelves when I am done to display trains, pictures, and other items.

They fit in well with my desk and coffee table.  Eventually they will find a home in my office / den / hobby room.

National Pike Steam Show

The covered bridge in Ada Michigan.

Should I make a coal cutter in 7.5" scale?  This one is on a cart and it is designed to be dragged along the face with cables.

This giant loco worked in a mine.

This is from a steel mill.

Hand on the brake wheel of an operating Jeffrey loco.  This one was made a few years after the SBT likely retired.

Inside the Jeffrey, the drawings I have seen of earlier units have very similar traction motors.  The lever is for the brakes.

Mine loco patent model.

I don't know what I liked best about the weekend,  it was all so coal!!!