artizen

I used the octagonal curves on my now scrapped narrow gauge timber tramway layout. Scrapped because the area it is stored in got very damp and it grew mould - not scrapped because the trackwork failed. My current layout will be stored in a much drier part of the house during our year of La Nina. I mounted L section supports along the centre line of each octagonal piece and then used conventional uprights to attach to the L section where necessary to place the track height where required above the baseboard frame. Certainly not as nice to look at as flowing curves of jigsawed shapes but just as workable and strong.

Looking good. Like the look of the fluoro work light thingy you invested in. I bought the single bulb version but sold as a workshop light. Unfortunately it was poorly constructed and fell to bits relatively quickly. Have just reinvested in two more but with a different style body to light up the layout. I am using natural white CFL bulbs this time around. My little Lumix appears to cope quite well with artificial light sources. But I have PS as a backup anyway. 280 locos? Imagine that lot with the sound turned on!

What sort of camera are you using? If you are having hassles getting good photos with existing light, try using a portable worklight with a CFL bulb and a small bean bag for under the camera. Set it on self timer and see if you can get slightly more light into the photo. Your layout is looking superb, it just needs lighting to show it off now!!!! Keep up the good work.

Have you looked at this site for N scale components that are made in stainless steel? The throw bar sits on edge between the blades and is buried in the ballast. http://www.proto87.com/n-scale-track.html

I haven't checked this thread for a while obviously - the talking stopped in November. Giles - are you still there? I would love to see a video of the finished vehicle actually moving around a layout. I believe extra 3D entertainment within any exhibition layout is definitely the way of the future. Sound, lights, smoke? So last year - now we want moving road vehicles!!!!

This deserves a spot on Buntbahn.de or finescalerr.com Amazing stuff. And here I am trying to design a "large" span across two tracks that I want to look like a recycled greenhouse with a railway through it. Please keep posting - layouts like this deserve a very wide and very appreciative audience.

Aahh! The old loop and three sidings each side trick. But what a nice little layout for endless fun it will be when it is more complete. My only concern would be having to reach the two storage lines at the back against the wall if anything fails. Go ahead and build it - everything will fall into place nicely from the plan and what a great use of usually dead space as well.

Perhaps you should try this - http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php/topic/18108-radio-controlled-road-vehicle/

This is one of those models that needs to work - dammit! Really looking forward to seeing it all come together now you are so close!

By starting at the back, I meant the foliage itself. Do you start with the back ones and overlay the front ones or start with the front ones and then tuck in or thread through the back ones into the front foliage. Hi Gordon Definitely start with the highest areas/back areas first and work your way forward and down. Hope that makes sense. Do a bit at a time and look at it over a couple of days from as many different angles and lighting conditions as possible. If you see something is not right or there are holes, you can fix it up before assembling it. Really all you are going to do is soften the top edge of the wall so that the transition from solid plastic to printed backscene is interrupted by a little bit of flattened 3D greenery. So far, from what you have shown, you are on the right track.

I think your "low resolution" trees look quite OK. I would start at the back only because it is a total pain to do anything that creative while trying to reach across a mostly finished layout.

I know you have posted how you have mixed up the lighting to get shadows etc but is the last shot of the 37 taken with the layout lighting? If so, then your setup works a treat. Love the moody effect it gives - much more realistic than a complete blast of bright light from above.

No updates since August! No wonder I had forgotten the name of this layout. I have been searching RMweb for three weeks now to look at it again for inspiration. Did you ever finish the video?

That red one looks good! Still looking forward to the nice blue one doing three point turns and having a cross-country bash etc. Isn't it amazing that you can get endless amounts of cars and buses for almost any scale but unless it is a Kenworth or Scania, almost nothing in this scale in commercial vehicles? I have a dodgy old Ford Transit in 1:43, bet that could hide a few electronic bits. I also have the Daimler hearse - hmmm - could hide all sorts of things in a coffin. This thread has certainly stirred up a few ideas. Keep the photos coming please.

I would really like a quick how-to on the building construction. I see you are using brass angle to hold up walls which indicates something more substantial than foamboard? Please don't tell me it was all done with card and careful cutting with a sharp scalpel!!!!

I am using the US version of the Prodigy and the only slightly annoying feature at this point (one hour after taking it out of the box where it has been stored for eighteen months) is that it reverts to 28 speed steps every time you turn it on. I expect once I get familiar with CV addressing that can be programmed out. I haven't read the manual yet - just what is printed on the back of the handheld. I was able to get a loco running straight out of the box with a controller I had never used before - ever - in less than thirty seconds. Not too shabby. On 128 speed steps my Davenport runs at five miles a fortnight on a speed setting of 001. Stalled on my bodge turnout though. i think these sorts of controllers run rings around DC any day but you only get back what you put in so the track still has to be perfect and kept clean. I still think the average handheld DCC controller could do with a serious ergonomic makeover though. You just have to look at the average phone handheld to see that. Hijack over. Looking forward to seeing the new rake in action. They look good already even without wheels and lettering.

Nice.

I have bookmarked all those sites for future research. Thanks a lot and now looking forward to the video!

It makes you wonder how the German guys got all that stuff into a 1:87 vehicle with headlights, high beam, hazard lights, indicators, etc. Oh, I forgot, the reversing lights and brake lights as well. This is awesome - it gives me hope of doing something similar with vehicles I have. I purchased duplicates originally deliberately so that I could do something like this. Two years is a long time in electronics and now it looks like it is doable even in a Morris Minor!!!! Have you got a list of what you purchased for this? I got lost going through all the motor/gearbox combos on the website (Robotech???) and all the other bits and pieces you have used. What are you going to do next?

Ah!!!! A man and his cave. Such a warm and inviting spot too. Love the touches like all the power points and the electric heater. A wonderful space to indulge in a little SMB.

Please sir can I have one? In red please, they go faster!!!! Looking better all the time. I agree that as a future mod, you could mount the motor under the bonnet. This must be close to actually running now? It all seemed so easy too - or is it all in the story telling?

OK Giles I said I was a licorice incompetent! In the last photo you show two motors - what is the second motor for? By the look of it the battery would easily fit between the back axle and the rear number plate. Just can't wait to see this one running.

I want to see these (both!) running under their own power! Looking good.

Nice.

Just to stir the pot - http://www.cheapcontrolsystems.com/ Uses a PS2 controller for control of your RC vehicle with up to six servos. Useful?