Green Bay Area Model Railroader’s Club and 2027 Titletown Train Show Raffle – April 25, 2027 @ 3:45 pm
Work on the the 2027 Raffle layout has begun!!!
Something new: The pictures and descriptions below chronicle the building of the raffle layout as it progresses. Any special notations as to techniques used or special tools used will attempt to be noted.
The club’s first Order of business is to select a track plan from the many entries submitted by members! The track plan that was selected is below.
WEEK 1: Constructing the base table of the layout.
The club uses a Krieg’s Tool to help make joints invisible. This is especially helpful as many times wiring or switch machines interferes with location of joints. Usage of the Krieg’s Tool makes it easy to relocate a bracing piece of wood to another location. This is extremely helpful when the outer perimeter of the layout is up against a wall. Using the Krieg’s Tool also keeps the outside of the layout clean from screw heads showing or being hidden by facia.
WEEK 2: Determining location of tracks and switches
WEEK 3: Drawing the track lines and gluing down cork roadbed.
The club did a little something different this year. our “normal” build process is to put 1″ of firm pink foam on top of the plywood. This year, our “river” was made using a router with a depth of about 3/8″. We use 3/4″ plywood.Once the center lines are drawn, the pieces of cork are laid along each side of the line(s), secured with glue and then “pinned” using either T-Pins or bulletin board push pins.
WEEK 4: Laying track and switches
The club likes to utilize Tortoise switch machines under turnouts, and even though this layout will not utilize switch machines, we still drill out 3/8″ holes under the turnouts should switch machines decided to be added later.
WEEK 5: More laying of track and switches
3/8″ Holes are drilled under switches for future deployment of Tortoise switch machines. These switches also have electrified frogs so smaller holes (1/8″) are drilled under the frogs so that the polarity of the frogs can be controlled by the Tortoise switch machine versus the switch throw itself.
WEEK 6: The track laying saga continues!
Track nails are inserted into the sides of the railroad ties and slightly angled under the tracks. By using track nails, it creates a smoother scene – especially when making videos of trains running and not seeing small nail heads in between the tracks.
WEEK 7: Finishing up the last of the track!
Track for the switching sidings is mounted directly to the tabletop (plywood). Mounting the track here will keep any cars from wandering back onto the main line into other trains.The track is secured to the tabletop using track nails.
WEEK 8: Drilling holes and wiring the drops!
We use 22-gauge wire for the drops. Drop lines connect the rails to the bus lines running under the layout. Drop lines are soldered directly to the rails. The bus wires will come next week. Depending on the size of the layout the gauge of the bus line may vary. For a simple 4×8 layout, we probably won’t go any bigger than 18-gauge.
WEEK 9: Connecting the drops to the bus lines.
Feeder lines are first soldered to the bus lines (which have the insulation spread apart.Once all feeder lines have been soldered to the bus lines, liquid tape is then spread over the soldered connections to keep them from accidentally getting bumped and shorting out the track.
WEEK 10: Connecting the DCS Command station and testing the locomotive!
SUCCESS!!! We now have a working layout with a sound locomotive and matching caboose! NOTE: The car with the wooden block is what we use to clean the tracks and is NOT included with the raffle layout.
WEEK 11: Painting the Track!
The first step is to put masking tape over the switch points – since the electricity through the switch is primarily provided by the points touching the inside of the rails.We just use a rattle can of dark brown paint to paint over the rails, ties and roadbed. In this case, the type of roadbed we used is cork. We also tapered the cork down to the plywood. This is to keep cars parked on the sidings from rolling back through a switch to the mainline. As soon as paint is applied, we used cut pieces of cotton dishcloth to remove paint from the rails. Since the paint dries quickly, we also used small wood blocks to help in the removal of leftover paint spots. We will be utilizing our track cleaning car as part of the consist of the train. Again, the track cleaning car is not included with the raffle layout.
WEEK 12: Adding scenery landscaping / terrain
Foam insulation is used to form terrain on the layout. We usually start by carving out the basic shape using a foam butter, a saw or a long blade utility knife. Once cut, we can use a sander, a small saw or utility knife to form the individual mounds of terrain.Using foam can be very messy, so cleanup is imperative!
WEEK 13: Yes, more scenery landscaping / terrain
We carve the foam using a large X-acto knife and in some cases a small flexible saw to initially cut and shape the foam into mountains. These 2 pieces of foam will be “glued” together and then left overnight with weights on top for a secure bond.We use both hot glue and PL300 for adhesion of the foam to itself and to the plywood.
WEEK 14: Yes, even more scenery landscaping / terrain
Shaping of the terrain is done with both an X-acto blade (a very long one) and some of the finer detail is done using a file.This layout has a waterfall and a stream. Care is being taken to reflect deeper water along the outside edges (darker blue) and lighter colors where the water would not be as deep.
What’s included with the Raffle Layout
Note: The layout will include, as a minimum, -1 Locomotive (w/ DCC* & Sound), 3 cars, 1 caboose. and 1-DCC control system.
The buildings and other placements may not be exactly as the pictures show above.
