Another Framing Option plus a New Reference Shot

While working on some stuff over in the service department at my employer, I noticed they had mounted some equipment to an aluminum frame different from the ones I had looked at before. In fact they had made a nice wheeled cart with extensions, etc. A bit of searching on the web under "aluminum framing extrusion" resulted in Frame World, a vendor with exactly what I was looking for. Basically it's a 4 sided aluminum slotted bar/track with various attachment options including right angle screw tight joiners. See the picturs below for some examples.









I think this may work well and would allow for wood risers supporting the sub roadbed to easily be attached using the same corner type brackets, although for the wood you would need longer screws, washers and nuts. I briefly glanced at the prices in the catalog and didn't get sticker shock so I'll add this to my list of options. A full set of plans and a parts list will need to be drawn up to get an estimated total price. I like it a bit better than the press fit aluminum tubing (from last time) as this is actually designed to be screwed together. Also, with the channels basically everywhere, it would be easy to attach "stuff" to the framing without needing to accurately measure and install threaded inserts. Simply loosen the screw and slide it around until it is in the right position.


And, as promised in the last post, here is the latest reference shot. Went past this building in Carol Stream, IL the other day in an industrial park. The siding is abandoned as it doesn't connect to the main line anymore but still appears to be in use from this angle.



Given the way the line drops down from the main, dead ends at the building and has, I believe, a couple of loading doors, I can see this very building and general structure on the PDPL warehouse building located on the lower left hand corner of the layout's overhead plan.