Just a question/observation really mate, On your trackplan, if you follow the track from the bottom lefthand side and follow the top track, go into the middle platform but on the left of it, When you leave it looks like you will then 'crossover' and the train will then be on the 'outside' of the trackplan when it came in on the 'inside'! Is this intentional ? (It probably is). I am just wondering mate really.
Are you running DCC ? Just wondering mate. Love the trackplan by the way.
Hi Paul I can't quite get what you mean, I think the idea is that from the station throat a path can be set from any of the two tracks to any of the four platforms or even the little siding.
If we consider the inner circuit the up-line and the left side of the station as Platform 1 then a train would normally come up through the station On Platform 1 or 3 through the O/head building and up to the crossover section returning to the inner circuit. On the outer circuit it would pass the crossover splitting to either Platform 2 or 4 and this time set the path to continue on through the station throat to the outer circuit once more. (If you understood that the you are a better man than me!)
I Believe through my research that it was common in steam days for engines to run around trains this plan I think gives me this feature. Also there are a few shunting possibilties with the goods shed and the little siding to the right of the track plan. Or I could use this little siding to continue along the Platform and have an extra platform for DMU's or suburban branchline trains. It's all part of the adventure I guess, seeing how it develops.
Oh and BTW I'm using DC hence the Control panel and all the section switches. I like figuring out that bit
If you aren't going to brace that chipboard, do at least give it a good coat of sealer top, edges and bottom - it'll keep it more stable as its when the hunidity changes tha tit will become "less flat" otherwise.
Re the dowells being tight, take a rat tail file and just twist it in the holes a wee bit to slightly relieve the holes, then rub the dowells with a bit of wax or a bar of plain old soap. They'll become smooth and it'll be easier to get the board on and off...
(keep the soap bar in the tool chest - a bit rubbed on a handsaw blade makes it glide through the wood more easily as you cut too...)
I'll take note of those tips, although I've worked with wood a lot, and my brother in law's a joiner I've never heard of the soap trick. I also work with cables a lot, guitar and mics, etc and have a jar of vaseline in my toolbox for putting on tight jack plugs and such. A similar trick but I do get the odd look when people look through my toolbox to borrow stuff (
I'm a married man , Honest)
The sealant, I can honestly say I hadn't thought of so also cheers for that.I have a tin of varnish going spare. The platforms I think I'm going to make out of short planks, planed to the correct thickness, I'm hoping this will also help brace the board a little.
I hope to finish the platform in a few days, time permitting. I'll post asap with the finished product. I don't know if i'll do any painting just now, I may wait until all the platforms are made and do them all at once.
Just a couple of vids of one of my grandsons and myself "Playing Trains". I have 3 grandsons who love my shed and want to "help" all the time. BTW No engines were harmed during the making of these videos
For the confused- These videos were made before the upper section was completed!
You are brave allowing your grandsons to play with your trains. Although I do notice they are the more expendable variety. The work you have done looks very good.
There are both old engines I had bought for my son years ago and have taken a lot of abuse. The grandson definitely doesn't get to drive the big ones.
And thanks for the comments. I have now painted the platform and I think it looks ok. I will post the updates soon.
Just a quick question for anybody in the know. Does anyone have any idea when the white edges on platforms were introduced? I don't know whether to include this or not, my main era is 60'/70's (however I will run a few experimental HST's etc)
Hi good progress you have good set up there.I notice you are using a H & M duttee. I use one myself but worry about using a 30 year old controller with a metal case and no earth !
Dave R
They are built to withstand a nuclear holocaust. Mine must be that old too and they still fetch a good sum on ebay. The first thing that goes wrong usually is a loud humming but even then they still work. I know cause i've had 2 do that to me. But I am going to change soon to panel mount gaugemasters. I already have a dual feedback controller just need the transformer now.
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