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.

Construction Considerations

Well it’s been awhile since I posted but I haven’t been ignoring my planning. Last summer was taken up by some major home remodeling so I put the layout on hold. This past winter I’ve been exploring options for building it. Wood, foam, and aluminum have been my three primary choices.

With wood I looked at simply cutting and screwing the appropriate pieces together with a “plywood plain” for the top although that would make the road under the bridges difficult at best and require some notching of the wood. Next consideration was a wood frame with risers to elevate the track and scenery where necessary and leave it at frame level for the road. I also stumbled across an interesting fastening device (table leg bracket) that would allow for legs to be easily added and removed as necessary if I wanted to setup the modules on something other than the ground. One version attaches to the sides and leg, the other to the sides top and leg. I would expect this one would easily hold a module together without the legs.



Wing Nut Bracket



Top Fastening Bracket

I've seen a write on the web from an individual that made an entire module from foam. Not just the scenery, but everything. Frame, supports, etc. I like the idea of this for weight purposes but not sure about fastening things like Tortise motors to it. Given the potential to damage it (and I am a bit clumsy sometimes) I'm going to take a pass on this method.

Aluminum is another option that has some promise. I've seen a few references to using it on the web and did a bit of research on my own. Basically you get square tubes and connectors and put it together like a press-fit erector set. Add threaded inserts, use slotted tracks to hold a plywood base, etc. If you think this might be interested in this option, take a look at Esto Connectors as one possible source. I'm thinking of making a few tubes through the middle with threaded inserts and then attaching risers to these to hold a sub roadbed. I'll draw up an image when I get a chance which should make this more clear.







I've also got a few more reference shots... but we'll save those for the next post. I expect to select a construction method and get the modules constructed this spring.