Model Railway Forum banner

My new proposed layout

2704 Views 14 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Richard Johnson
Hi all,

I have made some updates to our layout.I am wondering if anyone can assist with feeder placement? I will be installing a BDL 168 or 2 for occupancy detection. We will also be using RR&Co software.

The reverse loop is sorted as i have setup a test and it works perfectly. I would just like assistance with blocks and where to insulate and feed power. All points are peco electrofrog too.

The layout is quite small (8' x 4') but it is really a good test for me, the software and a good way to learn for the next level/size layout when that comes time.

Best regards,

Michael.

See less See more
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
QUOTE (miksterr @ 28 Jun 2008, 11:42) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The reverse loop is sorted as i have setup a test and it works perfectly.

Lots of running of lokos and shunting possibilities.

I'd really like to know how you sorted the loop problem.

Cheers

Baykal
QUOTE (miksterr @ 28 Jun 2008, 18:42) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi all,

I have made some updates to our layout.I am wondering if anyone can assist with feeder placement? I will be installing a BDL 168 or 2 for occupancy detection. We will also be using RR&Co software. The reverse loop is sorted as i have setup a test and it works perfectly. I would just like assistance with blocks and where to insulate and feed power. All points are peco electrofrog too.

The layout is quite small (8' x 4') but it is really a good test for me, the software and a good way to learn for the next level/size layout when that comes time.

Best regards,

Michael.

***Hi Michael

Be sure to modify the points for proper operation and frog polarity switching if possible..... previous threads show how.....

here is your layout marked with minimum feeds and track gaps. Gaps are red, feeds are blue. Each means gap or feed in both rails....

Richard

DCCconcepts
See less See more
Hi Baykal,

I used the DCC Specialties auto rev with cdu in it....It will automatically switch the point on the "Y" turnout. I have 2 very young boys who love to play trains and this was perfect..Drive in, drive out.

Mike.
QUOTE (miksterr @ 28 Jun 2008, 12:11) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Baykal,

I used the DCC Specialties auto rev with cdu in it....It will automatically switch the point on the "Y" turnout. I have 2 very young boys who love to play trains and this was perfect..Drive in, drive out.

Mike.

Thanks Mike.

Baykal
Thanks Richard,

This looks clear enough...I was just looking at the feeder plan you drew up for me for my first layout!

I am just wondering about the BDL 168...I am going to have to break up the track more..at least 16 blocks including the 4 sidings. I was unsure where to best put blocks...as in, a logical place.

I was thinking all of the turns just where they start to bend (6) the sidings (4) the loop (1) and the 5 or 6 short straights between the turnouts.

Mike.
Hi Richard,

I realise that your wiring diagram is for the minimum number of feeds (ie one per block, but I am curious as to why you did not suggest a seperate block for the four spur tracks, and also not having a seperate feed to each of the four tracks?

Cheers

John
QUOTE (john woodall @ 28 Jun 2008, 20:21) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Richard,

I realise that your wiring diagram is for the minimum number of feeds (ie one per block, but I am curious as to why you did not suggest a seperate block for the four spur tracks, and also not having a seperate feed to each of the four tracks?

Cheers

John

***Hi John

basically because Mike said it was a test layout...

Yes, I was conscious of mikes asking for basic need not optimum. if it was a long term project I'd have definately added them, and in thinking about it may be wise anyway...... good habits tend to stick!
See less See more
QUOTE (miksterr @ 28 Jun 2008, 20:21) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks Richard,

This looks clear enough...I was just looking at the feeder plan you drew up for me for my first layout!

I am just wondering about the BDL 168...I am going to have to break up the track more..at least 16 blocks including the 4 sidings. I was unsure where to best put blocks...as in, a logical place.

I was thinking all of the turns just where they start to bend (6) the sidings (4) the loop (1) and the 5 or 6 short straights between the turnouts.

Mike.

Hi Mike

in that case definately take up Johns comment and make each siding etc a double break + a pair of feeds. There's no need to cut off the points from the blocks so as long as both tracks are gapped at both heel tracks, the turnouts can become part of the blocks that lead up to to them....

Richard
See less See more
Hi

Nice layout you have there. Plenty of action and lots to do. I like the reverse loop. Would you mind telling me what it measures or the overall diameter at the widest point.

Sorry to be a pain but I am really interested in its size and maybe with a Y point it helps to keep it tighter.

Thanks

m
Hi Martin, the y is a peco streamline electrofrog E97.

Here is a picture that shows the part names..i have used a mix of atlas and peco track pieces...

The diameter across the circle is 800mm

From the junction of the "Y" to furthest point of the loop is 1000mm

The board is 2400 x 1200 and now has 88 ft of track on it.

Mike.
Hi

Thanks very much for that, it just didn't look that big. I was hoping it was a little smaller. The more and more I look at your layout for an 8 x4 you have done very well. My brother was looking at something that's not to big, that he can tuck away. Will have to show him that.
By the way Richard has this reverse loop controller thats fantastic for dcc and it also controls points. Not 100% sure you will have to ask him about it but I believe he designed it with the intention of multi function very simple to wire and called masterswitch plus. He will have all the info.

Thanks for the info.

m
Ok, i have finalised my layout and have come up with this for a start on blocks.

I would like to know..is there enough coverage?

Do i need to link up the gaps where he 4 sidings are?

I intend to use Railroad & Co software . a BDL 168 for Occ detection into a Loconet system / into RR&Co.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/m...ayoutblocks.jpg
QUOTE (miksterr @ 3 Jul 2008, 19:19) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Ok, i have finalised my layout and have come up with this for a start on blocks.

I would like to know..is there enough coverage?

Do i need to link up the gaps where he 4 sidings are?

I intend to use Railroad & Co software . a BDL 168 for Occ detection into a Loconet system / into RR&Co.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg299/m...ayoutblocks.jpg

***Hi Mike

detection should mirror usable sections - in other words, if it is to be at all useful it must also reflect track conditions, so.... any section should include a turnout that it ends at the toe of. Unless you do that any real operational instruction will be unprotected and meaningless for interlocking and signalling etc....

For example, I think that section W1 should be split at the mid curve point, lower part to include turnout S1, upper part to include turnout N1.

section/block S1 to be split into two at the curve midpoint and each finish at the heel of turnouts S1 and N1

that means the outer loop is STILL 4 blocks butthey are more logically used as the turnout condition will better dictate train passage.

Hope that simple explaination will make sense.....

Richard
DCCconcepts
See less See more
QUOTE (Richard Johnson @ 3 Jul 2008, 22:04) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>***Hi Mike
Hope that simple explaination will make sense.....

Richard
DCCconcepts

***In case not, here's a very quick markup of my thoughts

Richard
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
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