Old Newbie

Hi BRITHO, thanks for responding.

Just wondered, one of the reasons why I intend to replace all the track, is that it is all "setrack", the points are quite sharp, and some of my lovely new steam locos just won't go over these, the front bogie consistently de-railing even at very slow speeds.

The only loco to get round the track is a little 0-60-0 diesel shunter !!.

In one place there is a double point back to back, on the apex of a curve, nothing will negotiate this combo.

I therefore reckoned to relay the track with a minimum radius of R2, and streamline "Medium Radius" Points.

Am I right, will this cure the problem ??.

vbr Chris A.

Hi Chris and welcome to the MRF from a fellow N Gauger who recently returned to the hobby after a similar period in the wilderness.

It certainly sounds as though the trackwork could do with being modernised but you don't say how big your layout is or how much track you are setting about re-laying so I'm not sure how big a task you are undertaking.

However, provided your locos and rolling stock are either new or of reasonably modern vintage, and if you are going to replace all the track, I would recommend going for the Peco Code 55 Track which, once painted up and ballasted does look very fine. The trick is how Peco make it with almost half the rail depth buried in the sleepers/webbing. Although you only 'see' a Code 55 track, it is actually Code 80 which gives it the extra strength to withstand the odd knock or two. I put in the proviso about the age of your rolling stock as some older items, which have much coarser wheel flanges, will bounce along the sleepers rather than run on the rails. It not too many items are of this type they can be easily re-wheeled with finer flanges.

As regards points, I would, with the same proviso, again recommend going for the Peco Code 55 (they call it fine scale) points which are, with the exception I think of a small crossing unit, all of the Electrofrog type. As regards points radius the old maxim of 'bigger is better' applies. i.e. the larger the radius of points the smoother and more reliable will be the running.

One thing you don't mention is how the layout is presently wired up and if you are going the DCC route or not.

Looking forward to seeing some pictures of your acquisition and your progress in its modernisation. One way to post pictures is to place them on a web based site such as Photobucket and then post their html address into the thread using the 'Insert Image' icon at the top of the page.

Good luck with the modelling and glad to have you aboard.

Hi TimP, Hi expat,

thanks for your comments, when you see the layout you will be intrigued if not impressed !!??.

The layout is 7ft long by 2'6" wide, has four ish running circuits on two levels, with a multiple shunting yard, two through stations ( one on a sort of "branch line" ), and two terminal stations !!. There is also a 6 x 2 board with a mainline through station, which formally attached to one end to form a "T", but I have different plans for that to keep it "linear" with the other.

There are 27 sets of points, and one crossover, all of which I am in the process of replacing by stripping back to the base level of trackway.

I have noticed that some of the locos "jerk" over the points, if they don't instantly de-rail, as if the flanges are riding up over the "inter frog/rail bits" ?.

I have already fabricated a "two way crossover" to go between the two main circuits, from med rad points and a crossover.

All quite a task, I know, but I think it will be worth it ??.

Again, any advice gratefully received !!.

vbr Chris A.

Hi Chris, another welcome to the forum.

As you've seen already, there's a friendly and knowledgeable group here.

I consider slotcar racing to be a fine and allied persuit to the fun to be had with model railways, it enticed me back after roughly three decades away

I'm also working in N now, and re-learning as I go along - not quite the same for me as riding that proverbial bicycle but I am enjoying the whole experience.

As commented on by previous postees, code 55 electrofrog seems to be a reliable way to go - it had better be with the amount of trackage my 'Solsbury Hill' requires

Enjoy your return and keep us posted on your progress.

Regards.

Hey Guys,

comments appreciated.

When I said "jerk" over the points, I didnt mean power wise. I meant a "jump" if anything, as if the loco ran over an obstruction.

The track is conventioanlly laid, direct on the board, with glued ballast.

I have inspected, both by feel and sight, ( with a powerful magnifying glass ), and there are no bits of ballast causing this.

Now, is it possible that the rails have been "cleaned" so much that there is insufficient height left ??!!.

The locos seem to be "riding-up" over the plastic between the frog and the rail, if you can imagine what I mean.

These are brand new locos from Graham Farish, from Dapol, and from Bachmann.

It was so frustrating that I decided to replace all the track.

Thanks for advice on type 55 etc but all the track is now here and I am about to strip the old.

Is there a blow by blow "how to" to help me post piccies ??.

vbr Chris A.

Hey Guys, thanks for the comments.

I have so far purchased 21 points, 7 Setrack for sidings, 9 Medium rad & 3 large rad & 2 curved for running circuits and the crossover, only 4 of which are electro frog.

This was cos I was advised to stay away from electro frog by the first train specialist model shop I went to !!.
They said it added unnecessary complication. Perhaps they misjudged me ??!!.

Perhaps I should have come here first.
Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing ??.

If the isolated frog is a problem, surely twin bogie diesels and longer steam locos will "bridge the gap", advice please.

Whats this about Fleischmann points, are they compat with Peco, and where are they available ??.

Is there sufficient benefit to justify buying electro at this stage ??!!!!.

vbr Chris A.

Just been running the class 47 diesel round, it sticks at two of the points like it has hit something solid !!.

Now Then You Guys,

I am about to try to post a couple of piccies, please bear with me if it goes wrong !!.

The first should be of the main layout at a low angle,



and the second of the station board.



What do you think ??.

vbr Chris A.

Hi Expat,

thats easy for you to say !!??.

I have now spent two hours trying to post photos on this site, I could not be criticised for losing faith !!.

What is going on ?.

I get the photo up in fotopic, open it, and note down the URL, then try inserting in the post,

and I get "dynamic whatsits not allowed in thingies" or whatever.

Any one know what I am doing wrong ??.

Please.

vbr Chris A.

ps; I am not "thick", Chartered Engineer, Fellow of Royal Society even, but can't work this out. Is it one of those things in "Computing" that everybody takes for granted that everybody else knows, only I don't ??!!. ie. Am I unwittingly doing something simply stupid ??. Dont answer that !!.