A couple of weeks back, the Great Train Expo came through Portland and as usual, the Cascade Z Modelers hosted a Z-scale exhibit. Unfortunately some of the older modules that we brought to set up at the show didn't behave from the start and after a couple of hours of frantic debugging, we decided to break up the layout into two separate layout arrangements in order to isolate the problem. Coming out of this experience, I've decided that I need to make another end module.
In order to break the layout into two separate layouts, we of course needed at least four end modules, two for each layout. While I have two 2' x' 2' utility end modules, at least one of which you may have seen in some pictures on this site and they work reasonably well for this purpose, the use of these is not a satisfying experience. I've often considered adding scenery to these but given that the modules are set up with minimum Z-Bend Track standard turnaround radii, trains do operate but look a bit ridiculous simply looping around (8' x 6'8").
With the Central End under development to serve at one end, it is time to work up a solution for the other end of the layout. And, as per usual, my imagination is running wild with ideas. As seen below, this is only an early draft of the possible design. This module is actually a multi-piece unit, as shown it consists of six sections, one of which attaches to the rest of the layout using the traditional Z-Bend Track interface. The other modules will be custom sections individually sized to help ease in the transport of this otherwise large module.
The design that I have in mind follows my theme of the outer loop of the layout focusing on passenger operation and the inner loop on freight. The module intends to be more unique in that the inside route will be substantially out of sight (shown in red) and emphasis will instead be placed on a diverging regional line that will climb up into the forest to bring the logging industry into view, complete with a log mill operation and a furniture factory. The outside route, measuring over 3/4 of a scale mile, will flow smoothly down and around the module, at one point passing alongside a major river and eventually crossing under an impressive wooden trestle bridge enabling the regional line over sixty feet above to reach its ultimate destination at the mill.
At this point, I'm intending to use the same Märklin flex track that I've used for my other modules but for the turnouts, I will be making those using the Fast Tracks method. I've practiced a bit making up some No. 6 trial turnouts and I think that I'm just about ready to commit to using this approach on a real layout. I'll need at four for the initial design seen here but I might add a couple more as part of a passing arrangement midway between each end of the regional line.
One last point, I'm hoping to design and build the custom interfaces between the sections without the need for the traditional Märklin expansion tracks to fill the gaps ... my intention is to control the mounting tolerances between the sections such that I can rely simply on reasonably aligned rails for smooth operation.