Track laying

Started laying out the track plan and roadbed for Enkenbach.

First step was laying track center lines. I laid out the curves using a variation on the "bent stick" method. I used a fish tape (usually used in house wiring) as it gives a long thin metal piece. I anchored the ends with T pins and let it find a natural curve between points. This should give a good easement into and out of the curves.

Once the approach curves were drawn I put down the foam roadbed. I'm using Woodland Scenics foam roadbed and attaching it with foamboard adhesive. A single bead of adhesive along the track center line and then spread it thin with a either a putty knife or a Pampered Chef nylon pan scraper (these are about 2 1/2 inches square with a nice beveled edge and are great for spreading glue). The adhesive is tacky enough I didn't need pins to hold the roadbed in place, but still has plenty of working time to adjust if needed.


Curves from Enkenbach to Altenhof tunnel in front
and to Kaiserslautern (hidden staging) in back

After the curves were in place, I layed out some of the switch work using the Peco switches. It was at this point I realized I had moved everything 6 inches further "north" than the plans. Looking it over, I decided I would need the extra room for scenery between Enkenbach and the Altenhof tunnel so I've left it. If you look at the photo's you might also notice that Enkenbach is different from the original plan by being angled in relation to the aisle. I like that effect as well.

Adjusting the switches and measuring between the parallel tracks to make sure there is clearance for both platforms and signals. Also shifted a few switches slightly to avoid having them directly over benchwork cross beams so I'll be able to access the Peco switch machines from below. The foam roadbed was then laid along tracks 1,2,3,4 and 5.

A few photos along the edge for inspiration and things are slowly moving along........


Overview of the southern end of Enkenbach. The
photos along the front edge are of the real Enkenbach
for inspiration.


Closeup of Enkenbach. Gleis 1-5 from right to
left