Avonwick South Devon in 2mm (Kris' Blog)

What track are you using - Easitrac or soldered?

did you use my favourite modelling word which Rhymes with Rollocks?

Chris - I will use Easitrac for the plain track but soldered construction for the points.

 

Nick - There might have been some "strong" and "robust" language used.

Sorry to here of your problems. Good idea to leave it until you have enough time. Rushing trackwork is not a good idea. Exhibition deadlines don't help. I find tut! tut! barely sufices.

Don

I guess there is nothing like an exhibition, to flush out any running problems.

 

It's tough to rip up and redo any trackwork, but at least as it's the fiddleyard it wasn't ballasted...and any remade track won't need to be ballasted again.

 

Its sounds like its for the better and what with you and -Missy- currently ripping and redoing track at present, I better have another running session on mine...they say that all things come in three's...I could be posting something similiar soon

Don't worry about the threes Pete, been fiddling with three points ,magnets ,coach bogies and wirring on mine since I got back from the exhibition.Problems only seem to show up when ten or more people are watching and if one has a video camera all hell breaks lose. I know what your going through Kris, just remember it's a hobby you enjoy.

 

Mark

It's not an problem it's a learning point

If Mark is the third then I'm the fourth! I lifted an Easitrac crossing last night because wheels kept dropping down in front of the crossing nose. I thought I would have to lift a second one, but I think I've got away with tweaking it.

 

Hope you manage to sort out the fiddle yard Kris.

 

Andy

At least you can still operate your layout at reduced capacity, Kris. Good luck with your next show.

 

I'll claim fifth: One turnout tweaked; a second completely rebuilt- due to wobbles at the nose and failing to switch rails 100%, accordingly.

 

Has anyone got an established exhibition layout using Easitrac?

Has anyone got an established exhibition layout using Easitrac?

 

It's not established but it's an exhibition layout, with no soldered track and it works pretty well. (Being scenically incomplete I have only been to GJ at Oxford - there is a long way to go before I have enough stock and scenic completed for a proper exhibition). The biggest problem is with the cassettes, where the problems are entirely because I made them in a hurry and didn't take nearly enough care.

Brave move Kris, I think everyone agrees you've made the best decision. You'll feel vindicated when the corrected trackwork is laid.

 

Chris, both Copenhagen Fields and Fence Houses have Easitrac on their most recent work though I can't recall from the GJ Expo if those particular sections were in use. I recall no particular running problems though.

 

Michael

I think we have to be careful not to drift off the OP here, IMHO.

 

I think Kris was having a few teething issues with his soldered construction points and not the easitrac turnouts. Although the easitrac turnouts are relatively new, although I didn't get on so well with them personally, I think they will prove themselves over time as this type of construction can be seen in larger scales.

 

Sorry....but I just thought that the original problem stems from soldered construction...and lets face it...most of have probably done a bit of tweaking and ripping up in that department

Its quite common for trackwork which was running quite well to strart playing up at an exhibition. I think its the expansion due to heat or changes in humidity and it doesn't seem to return quite right. Sometimes it can be tweaked sometimes its best to start again. It can happen in any gauge. One possible cause may be high humidity in the baseboard which then dries out. Very difficult to pin down and probably nothing to do with Kris's workmansip or type of construction. I have a feeling Kris built in during a very cold and wet period.

As an aside I have found that exterior WBP ply from a decent builders merchant is far better than the stuff B&Q stock. Trouble mostly they sell it in 8x4 sheets.

Don

Don, the boards for the extension were built in the summer as was the problem track, in a cool environment. Where they are stored is a little damp, but is not wet.

 

The issues arose mainly due to a knock that occurred at some point destroying the track alignment to the problem point. Unfortunatly this track was the a piece that was built as part of another point so repairing proved to be very difficult and did not produce a satisfactory result hence I chose to rip up and rebuild. Some of the initial track laying may also have been a little suspect as well which did not help things A slightly to tight curve etc.

 

As to why build with solder construction, well it's the fiddle yard so appearance is not an issue. I have built an easitrac point and it took ages where as I can build a copperclad point in less than 2 hours. I don't see the point in spending time to make a nice looking product in a location where this is not a prime requirement.

If I was building a scenic section I would either build with easitrack or copperclad and etched chairs.

Fair enough Kris. However the damp is often in the timber when comes and it will not dry out until stored somewhere quite dry, like indoors. If stored in a garage or outhouse it may well hold its moisture until taken somewhere with central heating. I was trying to point out that the problem may not be entirely the trackwork.

Don

I know where you are coming from Don about timber not drying out, then twisting etc. In this case I don't believe that the board was a factor causing the issue