LooVille Shunting Layout

[LooVille]

I had a bee in my bonnet after a visit to Steve's layout in Wellington.
So I decided to share my ideas and thoughts.
After a lot of searching and reading I came across a blog of M.C. Fujiwara and I also saw the design and build in the Nov 2012 edition of the MRH Mag.

So I decided to do this.
The track layout I'm not really changing, but buildings and landscaping will be my own creativity.
For the base board, I'm not going to use a solid piece of wood, I'll use 3mm ply (top, for track and landscape) with 22mm pine battens (to create a cavity for electrical work) and 3mm ply at the bottom that can be unscrewed to create a box. Should be lighter also.

Here is the design and some pictures of M.C. Fujiwara finished build.
I have not started the build yet, have just done the design, so will start soon. And the best is I can link this to the planned extension to my big LooVille Layout.

Cool, enjoy and speak again.
Please comment, good, bad, everything welcome 
Want to know what you all think.
Cheers

[capeklr]

Hi Evert
I like it very much, will be a nice extension to your current layout.
The ever expanding Looville, one of these days you will have to hire a whole row of tables at the shows. 

[BigEd]

You started right!

For others:

DO NOT USE MDF / Supawood. Trust me on this one. Use multiply plywood only.

Even the 3mm ply consists of 3 layers of wood.

[capeklr]

Very true Ed,
Good quality wood for he base is very important if you want a long useful life from your layout.
Don't try and save money here.

[renegade]

I Agree with Ed 100%!!!!!


Stay away from Chipboard and MDF/Supawood!!!!   STAY AWAY!   Use at LEAST 9mm Plywood, but 12mm is better.  And SCREW AND GLUE all joints.  It will last forever! Just remember to pre-drill all screw holes with a small drill to prevent separation of the layers.

I like the idea of the layout folding over on itself for storage/transport.  My modules for GFG are 2 seperate modules, but they are the same shape/size.  I use 2 pieces of wood at the ends to mount the 2 modules facing each other for transport and storage.   I mounted 2 small wheels on the one end plate, and a cheap handle on the the other end plate.  so unload from the bakkie, and simply roll the 2 modules over to the setup using one hand!  Other hand is open to carry the legs or a toolbox...

[LooVille]

Hi,

Thank you for the comments. I appreciate that.
I attached a quick idea of what I plan for the Base.
It will be 3mm Ply or Hardboard. Hardboard should be fine because of the 22x22mm Pine structure and the battens is about 400mm centre to centre.
I will also drill holes in the battens to feed the wiring through.
The bottom 3mm will screw on and will hide the electrical work and keep it safe from hooking on stuff when transporting.

Track will be glued straight on to the top 3mm section.

Cheers,
Evert