Twinwoods & Bedford

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 01 - Layout Design

 

Together with hobby friend Nico the plan is to build a new layout in a spare bedroom that soon will be empty. From time to time we like to post about the progress here. The plan is to add some videos along the way too. We’ll go through all the steps from first ideas, to design, to (3D) simulation, to woodwork, to track laying, mount point servo’s, add train location feedback and add computer control.

 

Wait … no scenery on that list? Well ... to be honest we're not very good at creating scenery that looks any good. Therefore to us the emphasis of the hobby lies on the design, woodwork, track laing and then the automation. We’ll probably drive too many trains on too much track to make it look like anything ‘real’.

 

This is a link to video 01 - Layout Design

 

These were our criteria used:

Available space: 4040 x 3700 mm

Scale: HO

Rail: Peco OO 75

Minimum radius: 600 mm 

No need for much scenery

We like to have a lot of rails

It doesn’t have to resemble real world

We like to be able to drive around on a loop

We also like to drive dead end to dead end

We like to have a train viaduct, it enables a longer available track in the same space

 

This is the end result of our design efforts.

 

Edited August 13, 2022 by RudyB

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 02 - Table Design

 

The track layout has round shapes. We like the tables to follow these rounds. This means a lot of saw work, with good accuracy.

 

The plan is to first draw the table lines on the wooden plates such that it’s easy to follow them with a jigsaw. We’ll first make a drawing with the correct dimensions in Fusion 360. Using a 10 cm grid we can transfer the table coordinates at the grid intersections to the wooden plates, on which we first also place the grid dots. Then we play ‘connect the dots' and we'll have the real size drawing on the wood.

 

The plus of using Fusion 360 is that once we have a drawing we can simply turn it into 3D shapes and get a good feel for how it’s going to look.

 

Another option could be to print the layout in real size via SCARM. But then to accurately place all A4 sheets on the wood and transfer them to saw lines is still a challenge.

 

We’re curious what other methods have been used to transfer the layout to the table and create accurate saw lines?

 

This is a link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 02 - Table Design

 

 

[RobinofLoxley]

Well you will certainly have a lot of scope for running trains.

[chris p bacon]

What do you intend running ? Is it unit based as there are no run rounds for locomotives.

[RudyB]

Chris, the intention is:

2x intercity CW stopping at the 2 main stations

2x Intercity CCW ,,  ,,

2x Passenger shuttle back and forth stopping at all 5 stations

3x Cargo CW stopping at the 3 dead end stations, driving forward on the main track

3x Cargo CCW  ,,  ,,

 

Video 1 shows the routes.

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 03 - Widen the Aisle

 

We had performed tests to investigate if we’d be able to pass through a narrow space of 30 cm. The tests were performed with two desks spaced 30 cm apart. The tests were positive, as in ‘it’s doable’, but deks are only 74 cm haigh, which means you pass them below your bum, with your legs. Yesterday we were able to perform similar tests with tables at the intended height of 110 cm … that’s a whole other matter. Now you pass the tables above your bum, with your belly. How come that does not fit nicely anymore? I have no idea. :)

 

Conclusion of the test was that we need to modify the layout. To create more aisle space we had to give up our criterion of a minimum curve diameter of 120 cm, we made the inner curve around Bletchley station 100 cm and we also created a small bend just after the turnouts into Bletchley. This had the desired result … we now have a 50 cm aisle width.

 

In the process the idea popped up to extend Bletchley station over the curve, creating a tunnel. This helps make the layout somewhat more interesting. It’s not decided yet … let’s say this has an 80% probability.

 

This is a link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 03 - Widen the Aisle

 

[Graham T]

That looks like an awful lot of track, and some interesting building challenges with the gradients too. 

 

I'm not an expert by any means, but a couple of thoughts on your track plan if you don't mind.  Firstly, the platform layout at Luton looks a bit odd to me, with two single tracks each serving two platforms?  They look quite short too.  Perhaps make that into a freight only area?  Secondly, I would look at putting in some run-rounds at the end of the platform roads in Wellingborough, same at Bletchley.

[RudyB]

Hi Graham. Any feedback is apprectiated.

 

Yes, the Luton platforms are odd, it's not our first choice either. We have two passenger shuttles, one 60 cm and one 90 cm. I like the two tracks to be next to each other, which will give a more standard platform, but I'm worried the short train won't fit, or be too close to the turnout such that the other one can't pass. Which is why I separated the tracks in this odd way. We'd rather not lose the passenger shuttles at Luton because it makes for nice varied traffic if they make a stop there. We'll try when laying the track if the trains can fit with a nicer platform layout.

 

Run arounds are nice, but Nico, who will be the train operator, 'hates' playing with (un)coupling of locs and wagons, which is why we simply didn't bother.

[Graham T]

You could fit some automatic uncouplers in the run-rounds.

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 04 - Simulation with EEP

 

Before putting the saw into the wood, constructing tables and laying track we planned to do two simulations, one in Traincontroller and one in the very nice EEP 3D (model)railway simulator, which this video is about.

 

Any possible issues found in this stage will be much easier to resolve than after the tables are mounted and track has been laid. Besides … it’s just fun to create a layout in EEP and have trains run fully automatic, thanks to the additional software that was created in a joint cooperation with German hobby friend Frank Buchholz.

 

So … what are we looking for? Well, mainly if the layout looks nice … in our eyes that is, some will think there’s too much track and too little scenery, but that’s how we like it :). We also want to check if train flow is smooth, varied, and without any traffic jams or hiccups, or opposite to see if there are any tracks that are never/seldom used.

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 04 - Simulation with EEP

 

For those who like to try out EEP:

This is a link to EEP on Steam.

This is a link to the free EEP Automatic Train Control software.

This is a series of videos on EEP automation

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by RudyB

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 05 - TrainController

 

The second test before sawing the tables is to try the layout in TrainController. TC is a Windows program for control and automation of digital model railways. It has a simulator mode which makes it possible to already test a layout before it is physically there.

 

TC uses block control. Every block has an entry sensor. These can be reed switches operated via a magnet under the train, or current measurement, or other. The sensors tell TC when a train runs into a block. If it has to stop in this block, the brake marker is the point where the train starts to slow down, until it reaches the stop marker. Distances between the sensor and the brake- and stop marker are user specified.

 

Once the layout has been divided into blocks, ‘Schedules’ can be defined. These specify which trains should drive where. Once the train reaches the end point of the Schedule, TC selects a new Schedule from a list of ‘successors’. This way fully automatic traffic is created, while it still is possible to drive trains manually, in between the automatic traffic.

 

The test is performed to see if traffic keeps flowing, if there are no hiccups, or deadlocks, or if there are blocks where no train ever comes. All went well … so … it’s time to start sawing the tables!

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 05 - TrainController

 

 

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 06 - Sawing the Table

 

The two simulations (EEP video 4, TrainController video 5) showed us that this layout can have an interesting train traffic flow. This gave us the confidence to now start sawing the wooden plates for the table.

 

The challenge was to transfer the drawing from the PC to the boards to have the lines to saw along. We did this by first placing a grid of boards over the layout drawing. This enabled us to read out the x,y coordinates of strategic points per board. Two points are needed for a straight line, three for a curve. We used a bendable plastic strip to draw smooth curved lines on the board.

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 06 - Sawing the Tbale

 

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 07 - Mounting the Table

 

After having sawn the 9mm wooden plates in their respective shapes the tables can be mounted. 

 

Along the wall the plates rest on a full length beam. The peninsula and the aisle side of the tables rest on legs, connected via beams to create a support frame. All legs have height adjustable feet. 

 

In the meantime the lower and upper tables and the peninsula are mostly done. What’s left are the two ramps. These will be sawn out of 3mm board because they need to be flexible. The ramps are curved and need to be twisted some to mount them flat to the surface at both sides.

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 07 - Mounting the Table

 

 

[Graham T]

Good progress 🙂

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 08 - The Table is Ready!

 

This week a hardware milestone has been reached: the woodwork for the table is finished.

 

The bridge that can be opened at the room entrance has been mounted with two hinges on one side and a sliding lock at the other.

 

The two ramps are height adjusted and supported to the mm. One has a 2% inclination, the other 3%, we trust trains will be able to drive OK on these.

 

A few pieces of cork layer still have to be placed and then … let the track laying begin!

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 08 - The Table is Ready!

 

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 09 - A Paint Job & Turnout Servo Mount

 

We experimented with several rail bed and ballast options. We don’t plan to ballast the tracks 100%, which we know looks best, but we’re not that much into scenery and 100% ballasting is going to be a whole lot of work. We think we found a nice compromise that’s a lot less work and which also doesn’t require a second layer of cork under the tracks to heighten it.

 

The only thing needed is to paint the cork in a dark brown / rusty color, to which later maybe some spots and streaks of darker almost black can be added to taste. So … that’s what has been done past week, the cork has been painted with a Palissander stain.

 

The first track pieces and turnouts have been placed too, accurate to the mm. The video shows how we do the turnout servo drives. 

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 09 - A Paint Job & Turnout Servo Mount

 

 

Edited October 13, 2022 by RudyB

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 10 - Turnout Servo Drive

 

This video shows the servo drive we use on the layout in more detail. The servo motor is an SG90 180°. It fits snugly in a 15mm aluminum U profile, in which two screw holes are drilled as well as a 1mm hole that serves as the pivot point for the pin that moves the turnout. The pin is an unfolded paper clip.

 

We use Arduino for DCC control, loaded with the MARDEC software that can be downloaded for free from www.arcomora.com. This software is a DCC servo- and accessory decoder and it’s also used to tune the required servo angles for the two turnout positions.

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 10 - Turnout Servo Drive

 

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 11 - Laying Flex Track

 

We use Peco HO 75 track, which consists solely of flex tracks. To lay the flex track we use a couple of helpers like:

- A carton, cut in a circle of the desired radius, to lay circles

- A wire connected to a center pin, to lay circles

- A flexible plastic strip, to mark non circular curves

- A 15mm aluminum U strip, to lay straight track

- Different lengths of hardwood, to lay shorter pieces of straight track

- Track spacing jigs, to lay multi track stretches with high accuracy constant spacing

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 11 - Laying Flex Track

 

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 12 - Simulation in Transport Fever 2

 

While Transport Fever 2 in fact is a logistics management game with the focus on setting up road- and rail transport between industries and towns, earning money and seeing the population and the economy grow and prosper, it can also very well be used to simulate a (model) railroad.

 

That’s thanks to the graphics, which are very nice. The user interface is OK too, creating a layout with automatic train and road traffic is not very hard to do.

 

The bonus is that it’s not just fun to do and results in something nice to watch, but to see in advance how a model railway layout is going to look once built can save hours of work and maybe material waste if changes are to be made. Once the building has started changes probably have far more impact. 

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 12 - Simulation in Transport Fever 2

 

[RudyB]

Twinwoods & Bedford - 13 - Test Driving 11 Trains

 

Track laying, DCC wiring and sensor wiring are all finished. It’s time to test drive the layout with 11 trains.

 

The layout is computer controlled with Traincontroller 10. A separate series of videos on TC is available here.

 

The DCC Command Station is a Digikeijs DR5000, combined with a DR5033 booster.

 

The turnouts are switched with SG90 servo motors, connected to DCCNEXT decoders, that can be acquired at about €10,- via arcomora.. The software, called MARDEC, is free.

 

Train detection is performed with reed switches on the track and a small Neodymium magnet under the train. The reeds are connected to Arduino Loconet shields that can be acquired at about €6,- via arcomora.. The software, called ARLOCO, is free.

 

This is the link to video Twinwoods & Bedford - 13 - Test Driving 11 Trains

 

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Edited March 18, 2023 by RudyB