Benchwork - Roadbed
Middle school model RR: panel frame assembly
With only two different components besides screws and a simple rectangular configuration the first panel frame was an ideal learning vehicle. I made a quick sketch under the document camera to help the students locate pilot hole locations and we went through many of the same steps the L-girder team encountered for attempting, then improving, measuring and marking techniques.
A Possible Short Circuit on Layout Track
I know this is going to be sort of long winded, but I need to explain what I'm trying to accomplish with my layout. So PLEASE accept my apologies, and bear with me. I finally have gotten most of my track layout anchored down. My layout consists of a main layout bench, plus an upper level bench above that. My intention is to have a continuous loop completely around the room walls but still have a reversing situation without having to manually pick the engine up and move it to the opposite end of the rolling stock to go in the opposite direction.
Middle school model RR: panel frames
While the leg team and the L-girder team were wrestling with their components, my third class of seventh graders would construct the frames that sit on top of the L-girders. Four removable layout sections, three at 8’ and the fourth somewhat shorter to fit into a niche behind the main entry door. The design of each of the frames was based on a simple rectangle with cross pieces 16” o.c. but to accommodate the undulations and protuberances of the track plan no two frames were exactly alike.
Middle school model RR: human clamps
(I apologize that I don’t have a photo to accompany this post. I don’t have a journalist’s reflexes so missed many key moments, but I’m determined to do better this year and maintaining this blog will help).
I post an agenda for every class on my blackboard. I’d had to revise my plans for the week substantially because I naively expected to finish all six L-girders in a single session, and here we were starting the third session with zero completed L-girders. This day’s agenda looked something like this:
Light and Easy
I have been catching up on back issues of MRH and came across one of the $500 layout ideas. I was struck by several things.
- You don't have to spend a fortune to build a layout
- Making use of non-conventional materials for layout construction
- There is no excuse for not having a layout
- Inglenooks are much simpler yet just as challenging as a John Allen Timesaver
I have a John Allen Timesaver that is almost complete but suffers from several problems.
Middle school model RR: L-girders
The leg team actually finished all twelve legs at their next class session. We set up the tilting table on the drill press so that each student could step up, position their 2x2 leg, and make that very satisfying pull on the feed lever down to the depth stop. 30 seconds that make a big impression when you’ve never controlled a powerful motor before.
Busy Weekend...
Trying to get ready for this weekend's RPM meet in St Louis(Collinsville, IL).....
I started Friday with a nearly empty room....just what was on the one wall of the basement, and had a couple test benchwork fixtures there as well.....
Here's what I started with:
an to the right (90degrees)
Middle school model RR: the leg team's pulley problem
One of the most important considerations in the design of the benchwork, as with most of what I am planning for the layout, was how easy it would be to parcel out tasks in a way that allowed all students to participate. The benchwork design for the blackboard wall consisted of three 8-foot long modules on legs clipped to the wall under the chalk rail, plus a special 6-foot long section for staging behind the door. That section is just a frame sitting on top of a bookshelf.
Layout Lighting with LED Tubes to replace T8 florescents
I made the following post in a couple of Yahoo discussion groups and I thought it might be useful here. I was unaware before today that there were Led tubes to directly replace T-8 florescent tubes. Others here might already have known that, but now it looks more like that is what I will do to lower the wattage used and avoid UV radiation from florescent lights. I still have to work out what to use for lower deck lighting and that will probably be some smaller LED floodlights. T-8 sized LED tubes will not fit under the upper deck.
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