Big Boy Baseboard

The Framework Split

In order to avoid lots of joins in the scenic section framework, I decided to split that part into 2 large sections. Each about 2400mm long and about 1100mm deep. This is not really recommended if you’re going to move things around a lot on exhibitions. Especially if you don’t have the appropriate trailer. I’m not thinking about exhibitions (at least not yet).

The other reason do two sections that big is that it resulted in a split nicely between the station and the viaduct.

Big Boy

Of the two, the biggest section contains the station and goods yard as it’s mostly sitting above the valley that is crossed by the viaduct, so there’s a lot of wood. That makes it about 400mm deep. It also holds most of the points and track-work.

There is also a hill and cutting in that section. I was going to cut the shape of the hill that rises above the track into the plywood sections going up an additional 200mm. Honestly, I felt it was too difficult to accomplish. Instead I made a basic box shape. My plan use XPS foam and card to build up the hill and cutting 200m or so on top. Probably lighter that way too.

Airframe

Unlike the simple back sections, this big boy needed lots of cross sections. They we’re positioned in my AnyRail plan so that they avoided the points and I’d have room for the point motors under the board.

I also needed to cut slots into the panels so they would fit together without much nailing or screwing (which would add weight) and would also add to the overall rigidity of the section.

With all that plywood, I really needed to cut out most of the wood so it resembled an airframe (as used in WWII) and was significantly lighter. This took a LOT of cutting.

For each square face I needed to cut 4 circles (see above). Then I proceeded to use the compound saw (if I could). Otherwise I used a jig saw to cut between the 4 circles to remove the section. I generated a LOT of circles. Initially I thought I’d just have to chuck away but my daughters made some Cool artwork with them.

Anyway, after a lot of cutting, and gluing with wood glue , I completed the framework for the station section. I bought the yellow stuff, not PVA.

Notice any potential issue here? Well, there is one that building upside down caused me to not think through properly. Something to do with physics. Suggest you search out the Opps page to solve that mystery.