The Monte Cristo Project Status
Last update: Sat Jun 6, 2025.
This is is my first real layout.
The work-table that holds up the open-layout is temporary. The framework, wiring, electronics and track is must be fully tested before
I start to seal up access. Then, I'm going to replace the under-workbench support and do a fine hardwood structure and lighting background setup.
The engineer in me is probably a liability because I take
rivet counting to an extreme -- or
just say that'll be fine -- and move on to the next issue. It has
to be fun, else it's not worth it. It's a hobby.
Each pictures is linked to a fuller image.
N-scale Layout
I decided to work in N-scale because
of the overall space to work. If I had more space to work, I would have
used HO-scale -- and because HO-scale seems to have more variety of
trains, rolling-stock, etc.. that would have been nice.
But N-scale is still really fun to work with and I was nicely surprised
at the amount of locomotives and rolling-stock there is for N-scale.
Monte Cristo Area
The original plan/sketch involved a re-creation of a line to the
Monte Cristo (Western Washington State) logging mill and mining camp. I'm from the area locally
and I've visited the site many times as a youth.
The era of trains that were active in this area are documented in a number
of good references. I'll list them here (although there may be more
references that I'm not yet aware). The references are collected
at the end.
Setup the Curves in Cardboard
I had a manual on model railroading and in the introduction chapters
the suggestion for setting up the layout was put three ways:
- Use the plywood surface and build up from that flat closed surface.
- Cut the plywood into curves and bend/flex the strips from the plywood
bulk.
- Make the layout open and post-up viaduct for the railroad.
I did not like option 2, and option 1 was also somewhat limited for me.
Option 3 would be a lot more work, but the results would give me
so much more access and opportunity to make the landscape idealized
for the layout. If you do this open-layout, be prepared for a bit of
work.
Everywhere no rail exists is a region where foam board will be cut,
stacked and inserted. The ultimate goal was to not place railroad
track on the foam directly
Laying out curves with a jig to measure the turning radius. I can put
a sharpie pen in any of the holes for the radius I need and then turn
the radius arm around to mark the cardboard template. The cardboard
template is hot-glued together in a whole line route. This allows
me to pre-fit a curve and all of the track for judging how the curves
may work out in the space.
Once the curves are all cut to width and hot-glued together, I can then
re-cut them out in peices and trace them onto 1/4-inch birch plywood to
make the underbed. The underbed is wood-screwed to post-mounts in the
open layout frame.
Setting in the plywood under-bed
I want the actual rail road bed (cork) to be glued onto something
very firm and stable (not foam), so the entire track is setup first
on a wood open-frame style route made from 1/4-inch birch plywood on
the viaduct made from 1x4-inch posts and the birch plywood (3-inch
approximately in width.)
I made them over-sized so I can go back later and shave off the dimension to
fit particular needs of the layout. They won't remain this wide. But for now
they are setup this way.
Laying Roadbed and Track
The roadbed went on next. At first I used pure cork roadbed, but
after I put it down, I decided to go with the other variety that is
part cork, part rubber -- it had a more grainy texture and was not
as smooth. I wanted it rougher because when the ballast goes down
I want the little roughness to make the ballast seem more naturally
(ever so slightly) un-even.
Got Clamps?
Do you think there are enough clamps to hold it down? /grin/
Next Steps
- Test, test and test!
- A small turntable at the end of the line similar to the one found at Monte Cristo.
- Pre-wire plenty of accessory wire around the track for anticipated devices, lighting, etc..
- Finish the points-control with remote servo motors
- Finish the operator control panel. Right now it's all zip-tied to a place-holder plexi-glass panel.
- Test, test and test!
After that point I think I'll start making landscape. Foam, lots of foam and sculpted into mountains,
tunnels, creek, falls, and on.
One Regret
I did not heed advice in time -- always insert a spur of track that lets trains enter this world. As is, the whole "line" is in
a closed system. Not good. I might come up with a solution with a spur that enters from the corner, but I'll need to cut some
existing track and wire up a turnout and control the points from the operator panel. Might be worth it!
