I was finishing up the second level (yes, it's done) and it occurred to me that I hadn't even tested all the train cars to make sure I had sufficient clearance between the tracks and the risers for the tracks above. Sure, I had grabbed my longest coaches, but what about all the different locos and other train cars with overhang? And most important, what about my 'pride and joy', my KM-1 BR50 steam locomotive?
I held my breath for each locomotive- the V200 from MBW, the BR50, the Shunting Crocodile, and the pair of V36's. I ran the three-axle 'Umbauwagen' and my longest freight cars. I breathed a sigh of relief- all seemed to clear the layout without any clearance or interference issues. As I moved trains out of the lower staging yard for the next phase of construction, the whole operation turned into a disaster.
This guy. This little Marklin Maxi baggage car started around the layout on the bottom level behind a Maxi locomotive and proceeded to HIT EVERY SUPPORT on the front side of the lower level.
If you look closely you can see why. That little step under the baggage door sticks out further from the track than anything else in my entire rolling stock collection. I halfheartedly considered grabbing my Dremel tool and making quick work of the offending steps, but after my conscience stepped in, followed by a string of obscenities, I went to work with both shaving off some material from the supports and repositioning the tracks. Between the two, the baggage car now clears all the risers interference free.
So for anyone out there who is planning and/or building an elaborate layout in any scale, be sure you check clearances with every piece of rolling stock you have. Because like me, you may discover that your worst enemy is the one you would never expect...
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If you look closely you can see why. That little step under the baggage door sticks out further from the track than anything else in my entire rolling stock collection. I halfheartedly considered grabbing my Dremel tool and making quick work of the offending steps, but after my conscience stepped in, followed by a string of obscenities, I went to work with both shaving off some material from the supports and repositioning the tracks. Between the two, the baggage car now clears all the risers interference free.
