F-UnitMad Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Ooooooh, NICE !!! B) especially the first one. Why not Email them to Lance himself ?? - yes I bet he would be proud - he has been made aware of the following he has over this side of The Pond; your layout is proof of the inspiration he has given us, too! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 Thanks for the kind comments. From the start ,my intention was, hopefully, to show that anyone with average modeling skills can produce a reasonably realistic, smooth operating layout in a small space. Finding Lance Mindheim's East Rail by chance a couple ago inspired me to 'have a go'. Discovering RMWeb about the same time encouraged me to go DCC, with the added fun of DCC sound. We all need inspiration to get that next project started Of course, I'm going to have to be nice to my bro to ensure that the sun shines in those Florida skies. I'll take over some old trains, that should keep him happy. Where did I put that old Bachmann 44 tonner? Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonte Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 I've soon learnt that there are 2 problems with videos: 1. It is very difficult to hold a digital camera steady whilst driving a train....... 2. I am now happy with manual uncoupling ...... That's marvellous, Mal, well done - and congratulations to the camera operator too!! With regards to point no. 1 above, I have to agree - if you watched any of those series of videos I made on my blog (really not worth watching I assure you) there's a sudden clang and the lens goes haywire.......this was at the point where I fell off my chair whilst trying to film, drive, and change the points with blu-tac and an old scredriver . Another problem I found was uploading them onto youtube ; I recall it took almost two hours to do so for less than 8 minutes of footage With regards to point no. 2, I've just submitted a query on an American site on this very subject; I've used Kadee under track magnets, but as you can see from one of those vids I mentioned, a boxcar went sprinting off on its own whilst being propelled by the loco as it approached the vicinity of the magnet; I'm aware a piece of foam dragging on the axles is a solution but I really don't want to compromise the pinpoint running of the stock. I've therefore just submitted a query regarding the use of Sergents' couplers - they're more prototypical with the benefit of uncoupling at will. However, they don't have the benefit of automatic uncoupling, as far as I'm aware, as do the Kadees so I'm just not sure. Anyway, your layout is brilliant and has convinced me to obtain a copy of Lance's book - between you, me and the gatepost, I think my daughter has bought me a copy for an impending birthday - simply can't wait! Best wishes, Jonte Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 There's quite a few videos on You-Tube about Sergent Couplers; this is a good demo ... They look good, but I'm not sure they are for me personally... life's too short!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonte Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 There's quite a few videos on You-Tube about Sergent Couplers; this is a good demo ... They look good, but I'm not sure they are for me personally... life's too short!!! Thanks for your input 'F' - I take it your referring to having to amend all your current stock when you say life's too short? Jonte Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 Thanks for the comments Jonte, Lance M recently added a link Sergent couplers on his blog. I had a look, but tend to agree with F-Unit. They do look good, however. I can certainly recommend ' How to build a Switching layout', the basis for Palmetto Spur and also 'How to design a small Switching Layout' which is full of innovative ideas. cheers, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Not just amending all the stock; I had a look at Sergent's own website, and they look a bit of a fiddle to make up. Not sure how cost-effective they are compared to Kadees, either, taking Import Duty etc into account... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_long Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 You'll be able to see them on my layout at tvnam in June. I'm hoping that they arrive this week. Should be able to do a write up if I get chance. You can uncouple on curves and you dont need to be able look down on them like you would with Kds to manually uncouple them. Cost effectiveness wise I've not had any stock in HO come fitted with Kds you get the naff copies so I would have to replace them with Kds anyway. If you buy a few at a time you can get under the £18 duty limit. (i've ony 2 locos and 6 freight cars) Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northpoint Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Dave - I shall look forward to seeing them - I've not seen or heard of them before... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 Dave - I shall look forward to seeing them ... So shall I... I must admit I'd be tempted to try them if they did them in O Scale. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_long Posted April 3, 2011 Share Posted April 3, 2011 So shall I... I must admit I'd be tempted to try them if they did them in O Scale. They've obviously been asked about 0 scale Quote from their site: Q: Do you plan on offering a double shelf style coupler? What about a tightlock coupler? What about a type-F coupler? What about a Sharon coupler? How about couplers for O-scale... A: Yes. We have plans to do many great things. Unfortunately these plans are constrained by both time and money. Exactly which new product comes out next depends largely on how many request we have from customers for a specific item. Unfortunately thats not all that encouraging really, but you never know. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 4, 2011 Share Posted April 4, 2011 They've obviously been asked about 0 scale Quote from their site...... Yes I did see that... I'm not sure about "expressing my interest" to them as it's only a 'maybe' and also dependant on price, and whether I ever build another O Scale layout, too, with times being what they are... There do seem to be quite an array of different types available for HO - looks almost as confusing at first as the Kadee list would to a newcomer.... :D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted April 5, 2011 Author Share Posted April 5, 2011 The Fostoria Factor Like many of you, I've been fascinated by the Fostoria, Ohio, Webcam this week. This led me to think that I could add another grade crossing at Palmetto, giving me a great excuse to make even more noise in the train room So, I decided I would convert the parking lot at the non-rail served end of the layout to a grade crossing. The crossing also provides access to the shipping container storage facility. This is how it looked originally: This is how it looks now, still requires painting etc The light green Pikestuff warehouse in the foreground will actually be placed about a foot further along the layout, and will be replaced with another similar warehouse slightly lower in height. After searching for ages, I found this one from an obvious source, the American Railroad Centre, Bodmin. Superb service ordered Sat received lunch time today. This now completes all the structures I need to finish the layout. Plenty of work still to do, if only I could stop watching Fostoria. cheers, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share Posted April 8, 2011 Hi, Palmetto Progress Update Here is a couple of pics showing progress at the non-rail served end of the layout, which is also serves to partially hide a train which is normally staged there at the start of an operating session The new grade crossing, container storage facility and warehouses are complete but still require painting, detailing etc First pic shows the Fat Controllers view- ie. sitting down The grade crossing (Fostoria Factor) means I can start with bells and horn! Second pic shows view from a standing position. Train clearly visible in storage position Also,I've seen both China Shipping & CMA CGA containers at Fostoria this week, so I'm pleased with my choice cheers, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Hi, Progress Update Not had much time this week for modelling, however I've managed to paint the 5 warehouses shown in last week's pics. Plenty of action with regard to trucks for Palmetto. Thanks to all. Best of all I've just seen a real CSX GP40-2 pushing 3 cars and a bay window caboose thru Fostoria. What joy! bye for now. Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugsley Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Best of all I've just seen a real CSX GP40-2 pushing 3 cars and a bay window caboose thru Fostoria. What joy! Yeah, that's quite addictive that webcam! I've got it on in the background whenever I'm at the workbench now, I find the radio noise quite soothing. Nice layout - I'm thinking of ideas for a small CSX based layout now as well. That Fostoria cam has got a lot to answer for Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave1905 Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 With regards to point no. 2, I've just submitted a query on an American site on this very subject; I've used Kadee under track magnets, but as you can see from one of those vids I mentioned, a boxcar went sprinting off on its own whilst being propelled by the loco as it approached the vicinity of the magnet; Add a clump of weeds between the rails with a stalk or two of monofilament (fishing line)sticking up to catch the axles. The size of the line will determine how many "weeds" you need. .... they're more prototypical with the benefit of uncoupling at will. However, they don't have the benefit of automatic uncoupling, as far as I'm aware, as do the Kadees so I'm just not sure. Kadees can uncouple at will, I am removing all the magnets as I rebuild my layout. I use a bamboo skewer (like for kabobs or fondue), stick the point between the knuckles and twist. Virtually identical to the Sargent uncoupling process where you touch a magnet to the top of the coupler. Sargents will couple automatically EXCEPT, they don't have a centering spring so the couplers may have to be aligned and one of the knuckles has to be open. If both knuckles are closed, then you will have to open a knuckle to couple the cars. Best wishes, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jonte Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Add a clump of weeds between the rails with a stalk or two of monofilament (fishing line)sticking up to catch the axles. The size of the line will determine how many "weeds" you need. Kadees can uncouple at will, I am removing all the magnets as I rebuild my layout. I use a bamboo skewer (like for kabobs or fondue), stick the point between the knuckles and twist. Virtually identical to the Sargent uncoupling process where you touch a magnet to the top of the coupler. Sargents will couple automatically EXCEPT, they don't have a centering spring so the couplers may have to be aligned and one of the knuckles has to be open. If both knuckles are closed, then you will have to open a knuckle to couple the cars. Best wishes, Hi Dave, Thank you for sharing your experiences and also for the useful tip. It would appear that nothing is perfect; I still fancy the Sergents though. However, on my current project - a small diorama to test out some track building and scenic techniques, I've decided to dispense with Kadees (under track magnets) altogether and opt for the bamboo skewers which I was messing about with a couple of evenings ago. What a coincidence! Best wishes, Jonte Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted April 16, 2011 Author Share Posted April 16, 2011 Hi, When I decided to dispense with Kadee magnets ( the Lance M influence) I couldn't find any skewers. Not much demand for them in ASDA (Walmart) in November However, when attending the Newcastle Exhibition (no - not the beer) in the same month, I found one of the plastic Kadee manual uncouplers. Very cheap. Took me a while to get the hang of the uncoupling tool as I kept pushing too hard and jamming it in the couplers. However, all you have need to do is leave some slack between the couplers and gently twist. Now I can manage about 95% first time uncoupling, I'm happy with this Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 Hi, The summer in April weather has enticed me out of the train room, so progress has been slow in completing the warehouses at the right hand end of the layout. However, the warehouses have been painted and are now in place. Here's some more Google Earth pics (the original Google Earth pics of the left hand of the layout can been seen on page 1 of this thread) Firstly, the Container Storage area and grade crossing Second, the warehouses which partially conceal the storage track Looking at this view it's apparent that the flat roofed warehouses are crying out for roof details Thanks to Dave L for suggesting Unit Models. I've had a look at their online catalogue and they have some excellent products. I might even splash out and buy some pre-painted. Although the layout is now completed, as we know a layout is never finished, so there is still plenty of detail work, weathering etc to do. cheers, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 Hi, Here's a couple of pics of the container storage / grade crossing / warehouses taken from the more conventional Fat Controller's view. cheers, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Mal, You need more dumped and windblown trash lying around! Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 Yeah, I know. Soon I'm hoping to add all those nice little details which will bring more realism to the layout. Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbb Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Mal I have found this thread quite interesting and inspirational; looking at the Miami area prototype pics, tho, did you consider adding more ballast to the track to make it look a bit more 'embedded'? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Hi Paul, With the layout almost complete, I'm looking at areas for improvement. I've started topping up ballast and generally adding layers to bring up the level of ground cover. The Peco code 100 also makes the track look 'high' particularly on close up pics. I agree a more 'bedded' in track would look be more realistic. regards, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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