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entry 16 Dec 2011, 09:24
I got round to finishing off the base boards. The track plan isn't really finalised and I have to do the initial tracklaying to see what will work. The layout, or rather the track I'm laying, is for the German layout. The plan is that this layout will occupy the main base boards as depicted below. There will be an eight track station with a city scene behind . Still deciding on whether turntable is feasible or not.





These are the tracks that go round the edge of the room. There are remnants of the old layout here which I hope to incorporate into the new one.





These take the German lines behind what will be the UK layout. This is the line that will go behind.



There will be a backdrop on front of this to conceal it. In order to gain access to the layout a duck under or bridge was needed. This is it. It is not fixed down so can still be hinged to make a flap or as it is; a lift out.



I found a good supplier of cork for underlay. It came nicely packaged in very precisely cut sheets.



I am also still thinking about a large board for storing the ECoS and a laptop as the aim is to have it all computer controlled. This is the size and sheet of MDF I had in mind. One of the idea's I had in mind was to attach it to the underside of the layout however while pulling it out to take this picture I realised how heavy it was. I am now thinking about making it into a wheeled table that can be pulled out and stowed away when required.



That's all for now, next step is to lay some track.




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dwb
post 16 Dec 2011, 19:58
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That's starting to look the part already thumbsup.gif

I would be inclined to make the control surface for the laptop and ECoS no bigger than you really need or if you're like me, it will end up being covered in stuff which just gets in the way and stops you put it back in the storage position.

As an alternative to a wheeled table, have you considered a slide out drawer using some ball race drawer sliders as used on some kitchen / bedroom furniture?

David


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post 16 Dec 2011, 20:55
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QUOTE (dwb @ 17 Dec 2011, 05:58)
That's starting to look the part already thumbsup.gif

I would be inclined to make the control surface for the laptop and ECoS no bigger than you really need or if you're like me, it will end up being covered in stuff which just gets in the way and stops you put it back in the storage position.

As an alternative to a wheeled table, have you considered a slide out drawer using some ball race drawer sliders as used on some kitchen / bedroom furniture?

David

Hi David,

I had thought about a drawer as that would be the ideal option but don't know how to do that. I thought it would be a bit too tricky for me. I also thought that all the connections to the ECOs would be a problem if it was on a trolley. So some more thinking is neccessary.

cheers

Neil


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dwb
post 16 Dec 2011, 21:47
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I don't know if this is any help but some of the equipment racks at work have slide out 1U high drawers which contain flip up screens and keyboards. I've noticed that the cabling at the back is secured to an articulated arm which starts off as a closed V and then opens out as the drawer goes forward and then closes again as the drawer comes back in again. That might resolve the cable issue. This photo (http://www.rackmountmart.com/prodspics/lcd1u19-17-03.jpg) shows one of these drawers in the extended mode. You can see the rigid hinged cable guide behind it.

Thinking some more along the rack theme - if you dropped a couple sides from the baseboard top you could attach some ready made drawer supports to that?

The racks are industry standard 19". A quick google got me to this site - http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/shopscr4394.html - which gives a flavour of the wide range of stuff available. I think it could give you ideas on what to do. The carpentry you've done so far, suggests that you're well able for it.

David


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post 16 Dec 2011, 22:28
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Thanks for those links David. I wasn't aware you could buy stuff like that. I'll have a look at Bunnings (local equivelant of MFI or Homebase) and see what they have. The drawer would be better, even if I have to have one for the ECOs and one for the laptop. There will be a sort of peninsula in the middle of the UK bit where I aim to put a model of the Crusoe Hotel which is located on a pier. I had thought that I could maybe integrate the drawers for the controllers into that.

Cheers

Neil


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dwb
post 16 Dec 2011, 22:48
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QUOTE
I wasn't aware you could buy stuff like that. I'll have a look at Bunnings


The stuff in the photos and links is industrial kit rather than domestic. I believe the 19" rack standard has been around for decades. I remember using it on one of the first projects I ever worked on. We had an Intel 8080 based system in a 6U chassis and then a large number of patch panels for hooking up to the machine we were controlling. You'd find a lot of this racking in network rooms. The central IT room at your office probably has stuff like this too.

I found a bunch of domestic drawer slides here - http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/Product...Cabinet_Systems. A bit too much choice for me I think...

David


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post 16 Dec 2011, 23:16
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I see what you mean. I don't do well when presented with too many options either.

There are some kits there that would be good. Seems the best plan.

Cheers

Neil


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post 29 Apr 2012, 19:54
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Certainly starting to look good mate. Thanks for sharing your progress.

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post 29 Apr 2012, 22:15
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No problem, things kind of ground to a halt due to lack of funding but I'm hoping to get things moving again soon.

cheers

Neil


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post 3 Feb 2013, 05:46
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........dt............
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QUOTE (neil_s_wood @ 29 Apr 2012, 22:15)
No problem, things kind of ground to a halt due to lack of funding but I'm hoping to get things moving again soon.

cheers

Neil


Any news, Neil ?


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Link below,is to my layout, Dover Priory and Town Yard.Kent Uk

http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index...showtopic=20477

It will come back on by itself....Honest..

I never need to read the manuals.....
If you don't look after your body you will have nowhere to live....

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post 3 Feb 2013, 08:27
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Yes David, I added another siding. Have points for one more but out of cash for the rest of the track I need. Hoping to get some buildings done soon.

Cheers

Neil


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