45' x 20' modular layout built in 1:20.3 In January of this year I was talked into starting a modular group with seven other guys. Just this past weekend we were able to connect all the modules together for an overall fit and test run on the tracks. My original two modules turned into seven modules when one of the original guys who was building the 15 foot curved trestle units left the group due to illness. So I ended up building the curved trestle modules along with another member who was building a 15 foot s-curve trestle and bridge. The modular is built to 1:20.3 scale. There are two main line tracks with the inside track having a minimum of 5 foot radius and the outside track with 6 foot radius. The design is based on narrow gauge steam, but we will also have standard gauge trains running. All the track is code 250 aluminum hand laid on wood ties with metal tie plates. We have 22 modules that make a 45 foot by 20 foot layout with 15 feet of 28" high curved trestle units at one end and a 28" high 15 foot s-curve trestle and bridge unit at the other end. There is no scenery as of yet, except on 'Jim Hopes' two modules, and they still need more detailing. Start of the wood frame construction for a module. There are three types of modules. One is a curve unit that takes four of these to complete a half circle. The next is a transition unit. It allows the tracks to go from the back of the module to the front edge. Lastly we have the straight module. Our first meeting at my house to discuss the modular with some test frames set-up. First frame fit together. All the frames are built (no foam tops as yet) and test fit together to view the overall size of the modular. There are 22 modules that comprise a layout of 45 feet by 20 feet in size. Close-up of some of the members of the modular. I'm the one in dark blue tee shirt. Cutting wood ties for hand spiking the rail and tie plates. Staining the wood ties with shoe polish and alcohol mixture. Hand spiking the code 250 aluminum rail (Llagas Creek) through ties plates into the wood ties. Installing wood ties on a module. Next we ballast the road bed and then install the rail. Installing the curved sections of rail using the compass. We using Llagas Creek's rail bender. It produced a nice smooth curved rail from one module to the next. Highly recommend the use of a rail bender. Ballasting several modules. Modules are complete with track installed. A stacking leg was made for each module to allow modules to stack on top of each other for transporting. Close-up of setting rail using the compass. Llagas Creek No. 6 turn-outs being installed on two modules. Turnouts completed with ground throw levers. Close-up of installing Split-Jaw rail clamps. First test of power to the rails. Kitbashed LGB Porter with Saxton ore car running on tracks with no problems. Jig was built to fabricate trestle bents (30 bents) for the 15 foot curved trestle modules and the 15 foot s-curve trestle/bridge modules. The next eight pictures are of 'Jim Hopes' two modules that have been started with some scenery work. The next 14 photos show the construction of the curved trestle set-up in my garage. The remaining photos are from the first set-up with the trestle modules built to allow for the modular to be connected and test run. The SUNDANCE CENTRAL modular group set-up their 22 modules and ran trains at a local train show in Florida. We had the Accucraft K-27, K-28 and C-21 running along with a Berlyn K-37 and even some diesels. Frank's K-27 running over his module units. My K-28 running over the trestles and steel bridge. Jim Hopes' Dash 9-44CW We ran Aristo's 2-8-8-2 Mallet that Lewis Polk sent down for the show. It ran the layout for about six hours without any problems. The Dash 9-44CW and the 2-8-8-2 Mallet at the s-curve trestle. The K-27 and K-28 passing each other. The K-27 again. My K-28 pulling some AMS Gondola cars and a PSC long caboose. Jim's Dash 9 running over Frank's trestle and bridge modules. Frank's scratchbuilt blacksmith car on the siding. Frank Palmer of our modular group, took home Best Of Show for his kitbashed three truck Shay and scratchbuilt blacksmith car. He also took first place for his individual module. To see more of the Sun Dance Central click here...