SlotForum banner

Permanent Layout Underway

23K views 50 replies 34 participants last post by  1eye101 
#1 ·
OK, so here's how it started……'twas shortly before Xmas 2004 and Mrs AeroHOT and I were in JLewis in gift buying mode and she says…. "what am I going to get you for Xmas?" In a moment of flippancy I said "what about one of those then?" pointing at a Scaley boxed set. "Be a bit of fun over the hols….." You won't be surprised to hear that it was an absolute hoot for all the family and we became confirmed "rug racers" over the next nine months. Grazing the internet, I found Slotforum and was blown away by the permanent layouts in the posts as well as the open sharing of tips, how-to's and other invaluable stuff. Many questions were answered and thoughts of a permanent layout of my own were spawned. However, despite the smart ways that many of the designs made use of space, there was no way for me to dedicate room to a permanent layout……..until Miss AeroHOT decided that the time for her independence had come and she no longer required permanent assignment of her quarters at the top of the house. A couple of months of decorating other rooms to cater for daughters visits home allowed for some time to plan….

The space available is approx 3.8m x 2.4m, but has an intrusion half way along the back wall which impacts the track layout options that can be considered. Also access would only be available from the front as there is a wall to the right and to the rear and a staircase to the left. This then results in a kind of L-shape to the layout. For a permanent track it was important to me to incorporate certain features ; as long a track as possible to maintain driving interest; keep the rear of the layout accessible for de-slots; allow space for a pit-lane and create scenic potential. I also wanted to incorporate compound radius curves and use the whole range of R1, R2, R3 and R4 to vary to driving challenge. I was (am still) undecided about Digital so I tried to keep the option open in the final design. Track is Scaley Sport. Many hours were spent playing around with Slotmanager software and of course "rug racer" trials were held to test the potential layouts. Eventually this is what we came up with. Two lanes equal in length at 18.3m, driving direction is clockwise.


There are more pics in my gallery, the first album is the table and track construction, album 2 shows how we (me and Mrs AeroHOT) have gone about creating the scenery. It is very much a work in progress and a good part of the fun, for me, will be in the detailing and finishing off. An objective with the scenery was to get creative in the use of materials readily available or easily gathered as opposed to buying from specialist suppliers/shops. So the framework is 3" x 2" CLS timber, pretty hefty in size as I wouldn't be relying on the table top for rigidity, scenery base is wire mesh and papier mache ( although I did try some plaster bandage too) flock is coloured sawdust and ground oasis, lichen and moss are used for bushes, trees are from twigs and ground foam, pit-lane is mdf and wood strip and the buildings will be scratch-built. The project was started at the end of November 2005 and there is still much to do - a rockface will run across behind the pits/paddock to the start of the hill section - but I am tempted to start work on the pit buildings! I am pleased with the way it has gone so far but, shamelessly, nearly everything we have done stems from ideas we have gained from posts on Slotforum - so it's a big thanks to all for the inspiration (too many of you to mention names - I would only miss someone out and feel bad!!) and hope you can recognise where your contributions are. I will be happy if my interpretations provide some inspiration for others.

Standing on the shoulders of giants!!

Stewart
 
See less See more
1
#4 ·
Stewart,
That is a beauty. Really nice work. You've inspired me to do some cool back drops too! looking forward to seeing it complete. Best to you and your lucky racers!
 
#5 ·
That's the type of thing that worries me I'm afraid. I've negotiated room - thought about what I want.. but I'm worried my scenery will not be up to scratch - especially seeing posts like this!

Looks brilliant!

Now the corks at the start of the pit wall - what are they to be? Barrels?? tyre walls?? Corks would be cracking (given I can't afford to buy thousands of old tyres just for scenery).

And the best thing about using corks is the missus wouldn't mind helping I reckon!
 
#6 ·
Thanks very much for the kind words guys, they are much appreciated....there's still along way to go, and I have still a few problem areas like the overpass part to work out..... but there are good posts all the time here to help me out. Suggestions and comments are always welcome!!

QUOTE Now the corks at the start of the pit wall - what are they to be? Barrels?? tyre walls?? Corks would be cracking (given I can't afford to buy thousands of old tyres just for scenery).

Yes , Eno Dog they will be tyre barriers. When I took these pics I was laying out a mock up of the pit area to see how long to make the pit wall and how many pits I could fit in to the space. There is a thread on tyre barriers in this section of the forum in which I posted a picture of how the tyre stacks are looking after a bit more work.....I would post a link if I I knew how!! Still very much a learner here. It was in the last few days so should be easy to find. Also, Eno Dog don't be put off starting by how the finished article looks, I had only images in my head of how I thought it would look. I am sure your layout and scenery will come together just fine. No matter how long or difficult any journey is, they all start out the same....by taking the first step. Just go for it !!!! Great idea to get the missus involved....she can help you empty the bottles...to get your corks together faster!!!

Cheers guys

Stewart
 
#10 ·
Thx for taking the time to look and comment, guys.

Colin, the wee mannies just could not not be passed by.......Toymasters were selling them off at £2.99 a set in their post Xmas sale...............
....so I did leave a couple of boxes on the shelf in case anyone else wanted some...but not many! I only have 1" paintbrushes so the unpainted type would be done in a jiff..


Pickard 77, the tracklist is in the first album in my gallery.......how much you pay depends on where you buy! Bleep is spot on! You can count it up if you like, just keep it to yourself tho', it's one statistic I have only a passing interest in. Once I've paid the bill the thought has passed from short term memory into the ether - never to return.


Stewart
 
#11 ·
Stewart,

I got a couple of cars cheap from Toymasters after christmas. They were selling the Ninco Raid cars very cheap. I didn't see the mannies though. They seem to sell off stuff from time to time although I was in at the weekend and they were all up to full price again.

The model shop in Rosemount sometimes has the odd bargain. There used to be a shop in St Andrews street but it has gone now. I'm not sure if it has opened somewhere else.

Colin
 
#13 ·
Excellent track and scenery! So many tracks like these are popping up all over as people get fed up with 'rug racing'. Not only does this help perpetuate the hobby but it gets whole families involved, there is something for everyone in building a track.

I added up Mugello costs once; BAD MISTAKE!
but not as bad as totalling up the car value


DON'T DO IT! it is too damn scary.
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
It's time for an update on my progress......It's been less than stellar lately due to work commitments.....and racing, but it's coming along just fine. Here are a couple of pics...more in my gallery in album 3. Still lots of stuff to do. Time to plant some trees, pour some "realistic" water and try my hand at some pit buildings!! As ever, all constructive feedback is welcome...





Stewart
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Stewart,
Sorry mate it's not good.

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
No It's Bl**DY marvellous looks really fantastic! It is going to be one of the best tracks on the forum you have got the rocks looking great, I like the bridge ready for the water superb! I know how messy it must have been from time to time but your results are top notch well done!

Been right through your gallery


I love it all Spot on! Can't wait to see the next sections completed.


Keep them photos coming! (even in small size
)
 
#17 ·
woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo


 
#20 ·
Guys, thanks for taking the time to look....and for the positive comments. I'll keep them in mind the next time I'm up to the elbows in polystyrene shavings!!

QUOTE Keep them photos coming! (even in small size wink.gif )
Ian, what can I say......thank goodness for the edit function!!! Seems like I learn something new everytime I post!!

QUOTE What are the lap times?

Whyteyrider, depending on car, around 8-11 seconds. Record so far is 8.3 with a Scaley MG Lola, but 11.5 sliding around in a Ninco BMW M3. In the hands of someone who knew what they were doing...it would probably be a lot less!



Stewart
 
#21 ·
It's about time I updated this thread, now that I am at the stage of adding the finishing touches to the attic track a.k.a. The Mither Tap. Not that it will be ever be truly finished...there will always be a bit to tinker with! Here are some pics of how it now looks, but there are many more in my Gallery - Album 4 has all the latest photos. So enjoy!

Here is an overview of the layout


and a view from the other end


some action from the pits


stream at the end of the pit straight


downhill section, through the cutting


approaching the bridge


and out the other side


Paddock scene


yes, the track does operate in both directions!!


backdrops are next on the agenda....should really have done it before I got this far!!


Check out my Gallery for more pics - I better not put too many in this post!!

So what would I do differently if I were to set about this project again?? Here are my Top Ten lessons learned from my attempt at building a slotcar track:

1. Everything takes much longer than you think it will....so don't be tempted to rush things!
2. Paint the track and borders before fitting in place on the layout.
3. I tried just about all the scenery methods. I liked the initial speed of modroc but the papier mache gave a much better finish - it just takes a long time to dry ( see point one!). Styrene foam was effective too, but makes a heck of a mess.
4. Use interwoven cardboard strips as a former for hills etc rather than wrestling with wire mesh. Saves money too.
5. Be less subtle with the shades of green when making flock from sawdust - to avoid the golf green effect!
6. Sieve homemade flock before applying to remove the tree trunks!!
7. Make more room available for the pits area - I wanted to include a paddock behind for some additional points of interest/humour, but didn't have enough room.
8. Think carefully about the ratio of track length to scenery space - I went for maximum track length which made some of the decisions about scenery difficult or at least limited the options.
9. Try plenty of different track layouts before you settle for the permanent one and wire it up run in both directions. This definitely worked for me.
10. Measure twice, cut once.

And finally when things get really frustrating because you appear to have four thumbs, but only two hands, remember this is supposed to be fun!!!

Cheers
Stewart
 
#26 ·
Firstly, I'd like to add my thoughts to those of others. This is an excellent track and just shows what can be done with a little patience, experimentation and care.

I'm in the process of building Frimley Park Raceway in my loft and would like to offer a few thoughts from my experiences:

If you are new to this then take the time to read the tricks and techniques offered by people on thiss forum. Many of them have done it a dozen times over and have the paint splattered tea shirt to prove it! I'm all up for experimenting but it makes little sense to try something if a little research demonstrates that others have tried it and proven that your get idea just doesn't work!

I've been experimenting with tried and tested construction methods. So far I have tried paper mache, modroc and frock. I agree that paper mache gives the best finish. I think that with a little more experimentation I should be able to improve the finish on the modroc. I'm considering a trial piece of modroc finished with joint compound (as added to the frock. It seems to give a good finish on the foam but is rather brittle. Modroc (over a firm frame) is much harder. Has anybody tried this successfully?

I haven't tried the card board frame as yet. I have an abundance of spare chicken wire and have been using that. I will give cardboard a try soon as there is plenty of used packing material kicking around at work.

I made a load of flock from sawdust and general dust. I made a tub of green, black and brown. Mixing it together does certainly reduce the golf green effect. Flock is so much more effective than pure paint. It also hides the imperfections of modroc. Sieving it definitely helps (agreed).

I have made a pit area and, guess what, it's crammed in. You are absolutely right, it's far better to give yourself more room. I'm seriously considering changing that part of the track based upon your suggestion.

The ratio of track to scenery space cannot be over emphasised. I tried a stack of different layout styles before finalising on the one that I did. Many of them were done with slot plan and never got off the computer screen. It is so tempting to try and use up all of the track that is in your inventory. This can lead to the typical go cart style track that you see at the fairground! Real tracks simply are not like that. Even with my track (it's about the same size as yours) I have the equivalent of about 5 metres between the up and down straights. This isn't wide enough for me to scratch build houses and to slot them in between yet retain a degree of realism (my track is partly town and partly open country). I'm not sure how I would have done it differently as I'm limited to space. However, it is something of a pin.

Measure twice, cut once ... absolutely!! My track is in the roof. I made the decision for it to be modular so that if we ever moved house I could move the track too. That puts a load of compromises and complications into the mix. The biggest complication is that the loft hatch is about 70cm wide. No module can exceed that width and height and/or fragility of assessories (such as sea foam trees) need to considered when transporting the modules up into the roof. Measuring is vital as everything is made in the garage and then moved to the roof for final assembly.

I'd like to add that I have found foam board to be a very good medium in which to work. I've built pit buildings, a control tower a victorian semi and a metal fabrication workshop with it so far. It's a bit of a pain covering the board with bricks (resized model railway building papers) but I'm fairly pleased with the outcome.

I've also found plasterboard joining mesh sprayed silver (also managed to get some on the wifes flower border!) makes decent trackside fencing. Cotton buds (topped and tailed) and then inserted into the base make very effective fence posts.

.... and yes, it does take a long time to get it all right !!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top