retroman Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 Following the virtual completion of my BR attic railway, and my abandonment of plans to start a new project in the garden (and who can blame me), I've turned instead to N gauge. This is partly inspired by LifeBoatMan's excellent use of KATO superelevated curves in his latest work.My local stockist - Lord and Butler - has long been a stockist of KATO modular track, and I love the look of it. I particularly like the superelevation, and the elevated concrete sections available. In the 80s I bought a FLIESCHMANN and FALLER catalogue from BEATTIES - wish I still had them, I was fascinated by the locos/liveries and the quality of the stock compared to the Hornby and LIMA shite that was the norm back then. Since then I have been to the Continent a few times, so DB 1970s it shall be. I do not have a track plan yet but I have in mind two separate circuits running at different heights I have purchased the timber and worked out that I have 6'x3' available in my workshop/man-cave, although there is room for expansion by 1' length and width at one end if I have to. The money has started changing hands, I have a Variation 2 KATO track pack and THIS beastie so far, a V200 by MINITRIX. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted April 11, 2013 Author Share Posted April 11, 2013 I have progress to report! First up was to get a batten on the wall, I live in a Victorian house and this is essential to get the levels spot-on. A frame of 50mmx22mm softwood, drilled with 13mm holes to accommodate wiring. The frame mounted on the batten, secured with small softwood brackets, and levelled with B&Q adjustable table legs (a bargain at £5 each) 12mm chipboard added to the frame. I have extended by adding a 4'x1' section at one end, making for more interesting possibilities. Side boards added, chipboard sealed with PVA and painted a neutral grey, sideboards painted to match the room. I am still experimenting with the track, trackplan to follow. In the meantime ebay has yielded these beauties! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted April 11, 2013 Author Share Posted April 11, 2013 I love the quality of these German models. Some views of the 4'x1' extension. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 I found some hidden treasure in my attic ... code 80 PECO points left over from a long-forgotten project They are insulfrog, but as this layout is DC I'm not too bothered ... they are the same rail height as the KATO track, and will be fine for the fiddle yard. I also have a number of PECO point motors in stock, so I've saved myself a few quid here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNCF stephen Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 This project looks like it will be interesting to watch. I am looking forward to seeing how it develops, especially given that you are inspired by 80s catalogues. I always loved leafing through them when I was a youngster. I am curious to know, are you going to make the layout as if it were in a catalogue i.e. lots of cameos etc? Good luck with this one. Stephen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 Hi Stephen This will be a fun layout, but I will make it as realistic as possible .... centrepiece to be a turntable / roundhouse. Track plan to follow. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted April 15, 2013 Author Share Posted April 15, 2013 I have knocked up a trackplan, excuse the childlike quality, it's all in my head and I don't have access to proper planning software. The basic premise is a high speed electrified railway on the upper circuits with limited operational potential (but making use of the KATO super elevated curves), and a plodding single line on the low level with Bad Lubeck Roundhouse as the centrepiece. I have a PECO turntable and am looking to motorise it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 The upper level woodwork/backscene is now in place. I've decided to use PECO code 80 on the lower level, this KATO stuff is lovely but not very flexible. The power supply, a bargain ebay purchase -- three track control, which is all I need for this build. Access to the tunnelled underground section via this hatch, which will be covered by a removable scenic section. Several naughty visits to ebay later, I have another 218 and some stock. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted April 23, 2013 Author Share Posted April 23, 2013 Ref KATO trackwork, what's the best way to secure it? Is generously applied PVA sufficient? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNCF stephen Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I used a small amount of PVA on the bottom of the track. If you make sure it is firmly pressed down then it will secure it nicely in place. I did then add ballast which helps (Kato do their own type that matches the Unitrak nicely but I used different types). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share Posted May 5, 2013 Thank you Stephen. I have painted, weathered and located the turntable -- as it will form the centrepiece of the layout it made sense to install it in the most convenient place, then work the trackplan around it. The turntable is by PECO. The motor is the excellent LOCOMOTECH part no. TTMKB. It was worth the extra expense as it is a very clever piece of engineering and works very efficiently. A short vid, it doesn't sound this loud in reality, apologies for the Springsteen in the background. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les1952 Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Interesting concept- worth keeping an eye on. Les Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernboy Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Hello Retroman - interesting to see you are having a go with N gauge, I'm sure you'll have fun. I noticed your reference to picking up Fleischmann and Faller catalogues from Beatties some years back - I too recall doing the same and being totally absorbed by them for quite some time. Going to Beatties (and making a purchase) was a real childhood treat! Anyway, good luck with the layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
retroman Posted June 4, 2013 Author Share Posted June 4, 2013 Project abandoned After a few weeks fiddling with this, I've decided that an N gauge roundy-roundy is not for me, and I want my space back. All stock retained, I will be using the turntable to construct a St Blazey or OOC diorama type layout in the future, possibly for exhibition use. In the meantime the KATO stuff has been part-exed for a lovely Heljan DP2, and I'm back to my real railway Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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