About The Society of Model Engineers
Who We Are
The Society of Model Engineers is a group of model railroaders each with expertise in different fields relating to model railroading. Each member teaches anyone who wants to learn, the aspects of their particular field of expertise. All members may participate in any project or discussion and in fact, it is encouraged. No member will ever be ridiculed for any of their work by any other member. It was decided early on that we would remain an informal organization, that is there would be no officers, and that there would be minimal rules governing our operation. Membership into the organization must be made at the request of one of the current members to the founding members for discussion and approval. There are no dues required, and all materials are paid for by the members as needed. The rolling stock on the layout is provided for by the members and there is no restriction on the type and era that may be run.
Railroad Design and Purpose
The founding members of
The Society of Model Engineers
had one main goal as its purpose when it was formally
created in January 2016. The sole purpose is to design and
build an HO Gauge model railroad by the group, for use by
the group, and without any restrictions on how it would be
operated. Any group member is able to and encouraged to
operate their trains from any era, with any roadname, and
of any length. All members have a say in the railroads
design and construction and are encouraged to bring any
ideas to the table for discussion without fear of ridicule
or reprisal.
The design of the layout begain with first deciding the type
of layout that would be constructed. It was decided that it
would be a multi-tier walk around layout consisting of 18"-24" deep sections
and controlled with an NCE Radio Pro Cab DCC System.. It was critical that the railroad be
designed with both freight and passenger service as well as
online industry for switching. After the first few design
iterations, it was also decided to add a secondary branch
line. The benchwork is to be constructed based on the
L-Girder and open framework designs. However rather than
using dimensional lumber, plywood will be cut into the
required dimensional strips and used for its added
stability. The roadbed will have a rubber insulation
between the subroadbed and the roadbed for sound deadening
purposes. It was found that roofing ice shield works well
for this especially due to the fact that it already comes
with a sticky surface on one side. The roadbed will be a
combination of cork roadbed and 2'x4' ceiling tiles. It was
found that the ceiling tiles exhibit the same qualities as
homasote but without the height differences on the sheet
and it has a built in water resistance which makes it more
stable. The trackwork will be Micro Engineering code 83
flex track on the mainlines with Atlas code 83 flex track
in the yards and industrial areas. Atlas code 100 flex
track will be used in the hidden storage areas, Fast Tracks
switches will be used throughout.
During the design stages of the main freight yard, it was decided to add an operating hump yard for freight car classification. With the redesign,
the steam and diesel facilities were also redesigned allowing for more tracks around the turntable and the inclusion of a transfer table in the diesel facility. The
original layout design included a helix to allow for transition between the different levels. With the addition of a drop-down section in the rear of the room, the helix
was able to be eliminated and the grade reduced from 1.5% to 0.7%. It also added additional mainline running trackage as well as making the main passenger terminal a
six track run through station with two bypass tracks instead of a stub-ended terminal.