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Photo Gallery Snow Trains Work Trains Photo Roster Mini-Scenes C&S #30
At first I wanted to build a double ended yard so trains could roll-in and roll-out, but the ladder tracks made the dimensions impractical. The solution was a transfer table that could be used to align any train with the inbound and outbound tracks. My trains max out at 11 to 12 feet in length due to a 3% grade on a long sweeping curve up Climax Hill. I wanted eight tracks on the transfer table on 6" centers. That determined the size of the shed -- roughly 7'7" by 11'9" inside the joists. External dimensions worked out to 8'4" by 12'8".
<== The original DSP&P RR Waycar #72
My DSP&P Waycar #60 Replica / Storage Shed. A 1:20.3 scale Waycar, Tiffany reefer, and DSP&P Mason Bogie "San Juan" are headed to the shed's east entrance. ==>
<== Edge view of transfer table showing roller bearing in 3/4" channel-iron track, and trunion mounts.
A high stepping 4-4-0 with a short passenger train pulls out of Track 3 of the transfer table onto the east exit track, headed to Caboose Junction and the RMH, L&N mainline. ==>
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Storing
large scale trains when not in use is always a problem. Several unsatisfactory attempts at storing trains under the patio
seats, and in a screened porch, proved to be cumbersome. Squirrels
loved these hideaways and wind blown debris
was another issue. So I decided to build a human-sized
storage shed. But what kind of shed?
I
happened to be browsing my collection of model plans while mulling
over a building design and noticed that the dimensions I needed were
similar to the body of a typical DSP&P Waycar. Finally 2 + 2 made 5
and I decided to build a Waycar replica instead of an ordinary shed.
The actual building is the same length as DSP&P Waycar #64 (see
plans at bottom of this page), but is 5
inches wider to accommodate 8 tracks and 3 inches taller to make the
end doors more humane. The latter also kept the ends in proportion
to the shape of the original car. 
My
friend and local contractor Jeff Sande built the structure using the
plans for Waycar #64, aided by photos of my Accucraft 1:20.3 Waycar.
Construction is standard 2x4 stud walls with V-groove T&G pine
siding. A one-piece black metal roof has no joints, so no leaks. The
railings were bent and welded at the local Carline muffler shop.
Grab irons were fabricated by a neighbour, Doug Hansen, and the
lettering came from a vinyl sign shop, applied by my wife Sonja.
Brakewheel and lanterns came from eBay. Neither are authentic
DSP&P, but who will notice?
Jeff built the transfer table with 3/4"
plywood framed with 3/4" steel angle-iron. He built rollers from 1"
ball bearings mounted in hand-fabricated trunions. These roll in 4
transverse tracks made from 3/4" steel channel. Table length is three "4-foot" track sections (141.7 inches,
3600 mm) to eliminate the need to cut any track. The table is a full
4 feet wide to accommodate 8 tracks, but the inside width of the
cabin only needs to be 7' 7" to line up all the tracks to the exit
track, centered in the end doors. With 8
trains on board, the table is heavy but rolls quite easily.
I
wired the 8 tracks with a common outer rail and a switched inner
rail using standard LGB switch boxes. After a bit of settling and
twisting, some track shims were needed at the entrances, but this
was a trivial repair. A large shelf on the inside "back" wall holds all my buildings for winter storage. Two smaller
shelves on the inside "front" wall hold miscellaneous parts, tools,
and repair projects. With the transfer table pushed all the way to
the back wall, all the shelving is easily reached, and entering the
bare floor only needs a bit of cautious footwork at the doorway.
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Typical dimensions for DSP&P Waycars. Every car was a little
different.
