About a year ago I started a mini On18 layout called the Markberry Guano Company. www.2guyzandsumtrains....art=0.html

Since then my wife became really ill and we sold our house and put all our stuff in storage and we semi-retired and are living in a 5th wheel trailer. Even at 2 by 2 foot the original mine layout is just too big to keep and work on inside, the storage shed is 3 miles away from the lot we rent to park it on, and the boy's garage is too dirty and full of junk for anything there. In fact where we live there is zero room for a layout of anysize. I have been building little stuff like hit-n-miss engines and such on the table or outside in the park, but I am pining for a small portable layout. Something I can finish and take to train shows or whatever, and just have fun building and super detailing.

What I have came up with is building a On18 layout in a tote, and keeping it under the porch or trailer, in the back of my truck, whatever. It would be nice if I could just restart the old mine layout, but look as I might I can't find a tote no where near big enough. In fact it seems most totes are only about 19 inches thick no matter how big they are in cubic feet. Walmart has a really big tote for about $14 that should do fine. So now I have the storage problem whipped.

The original layout had the rock wall built from ceiling tile. Even though it was only about 1 1/2 inches thick it was getting rather heavy. So on this layout I will only use foam for the structure and carve the strada by hand. I like doing that anyway, at least I do BEFORE I start. I think I will also try and us the buildings and for sure the rolling stock that Sheriff Jim made for me along with the little loco I did.

So with a width of 19 inches, the use of sectional track is probally out. Atlas lists a 9 3/4 radius which comes out too big as an oval. So I think I will use the newer code 55 Atlas flex track and 1 turnout for the layout. So now I have a shopping list, 2 pieces of code 55 flex track, a code 55 turnout, and a tote.

Any feedback?

Fred

So I guess On18 is O scale on N track?

Are you no longer making the Beaverhole Hardwood Co.?

Oh, and what's a tote?

Lookin' forward to seeing what you come up with Fred !

Yep, O on N track. You might enjoy the link in the first post.
The Beaverhole hardwood died at the same time too.
A tote. What do you guys call them?

Yeah I've been having a read - great stuff

I had no idea you weren't doing Beaverhole anymore - guess that's why I never saw any updates.

We'd just call that a box Totes over here are canvas bags - that's why I thought you might call them something different

www.supereggplant.com/...20done.JPG

We call canvas bags knap sacks, duffle bags, or canvas totes, but I haven't seen one from canvas in years. Most stuff is nylon or other synthetic fibers over here now. Totes (the plastic boxes) are popular because we have too much crap and can stack them up and store lots of stuff we should otherwise sell or give to charity. Renting storage sheds is a big business over here I'm sorry to say. Fred

Fred, just curious. What are the dimensions and elevations of the Beaver Hole layout? Have you got a plan that shows all of that? I'd kinda like to see it.

fred_m wrote:

We call canvas bags knap sacks, duffle bags, or canvas totes, but I haven't seen one from canvas in years. Most stuff is nylon or other synthetic fibers over here now. Totes (the plastic boxes) are popular because we have too much crap and can stack them up and store lots of stuff we should otherwise sell or give to charity. Renting storage sheds is a big business over here I'm sorry to say. Fred

You're telling me When we were on holiday in FL, my Dad wouldn't stop taking photos of these portable storage units that people had sat in there drives

Fred, just a thought...but how bout something like this? www.walmart.com/catalo...id=3512888
I know it's more money than you were planning on spending, but it comes with a lid, and it's insulated, too. It's almost 40" long, too. Check it out.

Fred, what about plexi-glass/that other name I can't think of, shape to your sizes and epoxy.

fred_m wrote:

A tote. What do you guys call them?

Big Giant Tupperware.

Good to see ya getting a layout going, Fred!

NoSpaceOreCashRR wrote:

Fred, what about plexi-glass/that other name I can't think of, shape to your sizes and epoxy.

Just thot of the other stuff "polycarbonate", we use it at work and it doesn't crack or chip when cutting and will take a 90deg bend. Just a thot

www.brifayle.ca/
Fred: the link goes to Brian Fayle's site. He's built a few layouts lately in large scales on small track -- most of them under 2 feet square.
I kidded him that one of his layouts had more gauges then switches.

Brian Rocks!

Fred,
How about building a 2 piece layout that fits into a large suitcase.
Or, pitch a tent outside the trailer to house a larger layout.

How about a couple of layout sections that fit inside the tote but that can be taken out and joined together for a slightly larger layout. Make some kind of a rig in the tote to hold the section on top of each other without crushing each other. Perhaps you could even do that with the mine??