Steam_Julie Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 Hi This is my first essay in N gauge, previously I have worked in 4mm. Julie EDIT Layout design drawing added Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddletank Posted May 15, 2014 Share Posted May 15, 2014 What size are we working to here, is it an APA design perchance? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted May 15, 2014 Author Share Posted May 15, 2014 The scenic area will be slightly smaller length wise and significantly smaller width than an APA Box. The layout is designed to fit in a small wheeled case, for transport for example to club meeting and exhibitions. There is no model railway club on the island, so I have forced to join one on the mainland. Julie PS The next posting will include pictures of the baseboard, which are nearing completion. The layout will consist of an oval, which will link to the scenic section. EDIT Extra information added Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry1975 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Hi julie. I like the look of this, will follow with interest. Jerry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
switcher 1 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 I like the idea of interchangeable modules, gives multiple layouts in the same space. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noctilux2 Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 Like the idea but having a horrid time reading the italic script. Could you possibly consider reverting to Times Roman? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cklammer Posted May 16, 2014 Share Posted May 16, 2014 This looks very interesting. I am keen to see the wheeled transport box as it is being built, please. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted May 17, 2014 Author Share Posted May 17, 2014 No it's a standard off the shelf case. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 I have now finished construction of the baseboard, for Pack Lane. The first two are taken from the front, and include the overbridge. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenng Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Looking good have you modified the bridge by any chance? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted June 12, 2014 Author Share Posted June 12, 2014 Yes the bridge is a heavily modified PECO kit. The road surface is narrower and the height and width dimensions have been reduced, to give the impression that the bridge is further away than it is. Thus making the scenic section appear larger than it is. The width of the scenic area will be about half of the baseboard width, for the same reason.Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 HiI've now laid the track on Pack Lane, see photograph below. This is my first attempt at an N Gauge layout. It is very small, so that I can transport it around using public transport.As yet the layout is un wired. It will be wired for DCC.I will be tacking more photographs to show the track layout etc. in more detail later.The track is laid on PECO foam ballast, which has been painted grey. This was done to protect it from UV radiation. This prevents the UV braking down the plasticising molecule, which causes the foam to become brittle. The foam helps reduce the track noise, which is a particular problem with thin cross section, plywood baseboards.Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddletank Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 It's coming along nicely, could I suggest before you get too far along, possibly adding a siding or even a loop, on the hidden straight so you can store stock, rather than lifting everything on and off handraulically? It would allow you to vary the trains appearing on scene without the tedium of having to change over trains off scene, which both risks damaging stock and becoming a chore before long, especially if you intend exhibiting the layout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 3, 2014 Author Share Posted July 3, 2014 Already though of and planned for, the back strait was laid with a Tracksetter, to make this possible. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 I have now had time to take photograghs of the track joint, between the main board and the extension flaps. I have also taken a photograph of the modified point at the entrance to the china clay loading siding. The gap between the stock and closeure rails has been reduced. It is still overscale, but it needs to allow N Gauge wheelset to pass unhindered. But it does look better than the out of the box, PECO settrack point. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turin 60 Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I have now had time to take photograghs of the track joint, between the main board and the extension flaps. Join_1.JPG Join_2.JPG Join_3.JPG I have also taken a photograph of the modified point at the entrance to the china clay loading siding. The gap between the stock and closeure rails has been reduced. It is still overscale, but it needs to allow N Gauge wheelset to pass unhindered. But it does look better than the out of the box, PECO settrack point. Track_2.JPG Julie Gosh, a joint through a point that's brave, I hope it works OK Julie. John. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted July 4, 2014 Share Posted July 4, 2014 I looking on with interest, to see how the project plays out. How will you hold the hinged sections in place during transport? Lisa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 5, 2014 Author Share Posted July 5, 2014 I intend to use an over-center catch, mounted on a block if required to enable to catch to work. The important part of the problem is to make sure that the hinged section lays flat without straining the hinges. If this occurs over time the track alignment will be lost and trains will derail as a result. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 Summary of Blog CommentsGreat! DCC is the way to go. As I've learned in my couple of years of messing around, think ahead, make provision for what you might want to add...All the frogs on Gerlos have a dropper for frog polarity switching... There are holes for signals, train detection, etc..!AllScalesLooks like an interesting start. What size is the board?paul-dereham The board is 760 mm by 220mm, fully extended. Which means that the curves are slightly sharp, but all the intended locomotives and rolling stock negotiate the curves without mishap.The baseboard is only 18mm thick, but it is designed so that it won't warp. I have stood on the main board, before the track was liad and it easily took my full weight, without bending.Julie EDIT underline title Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 6, 2014 Author Share Posted July 6, 2014 The joint through the point is not as brave as John thinks, because of the method of fixing the point at the joint! Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 The layout is now wired, the main wiring spines are made using copper tape, bought from Faversham Models. I use non lead solder, and when soldering onto a copper surface that is glued in position, I need to be very careful, because the temperature needed to solder with, is higher then leaded solder, this sometimes causes the adhesive to break down. I have found that if the heat is removed and the tape pressed back into position and allows to cool, it holds properly. The flexible wire, may appear oversized, but having more strands it has will help it withstand more flexing, when folding the flaps for transport, without failure. The cable restrains fulfil two functions, these are holding the cable in position to minimise the strain placed on the soldered joint and to keep it in place to make sure that the cable does not foul the flap during closure, for transport.The external plug on the back of the layout is designed to allow a standard Bachmann EZ Command, DCC controller to be plugged in. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 47137 Posted July 18, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 18, 2014 No it's a standard off the shelf case. Julie Please can we have a photo of the layout with its transit case? I'm imagining an airline cabin bag size case with wheels and a telescopic handle but a photo would help. - Richard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Currently the handle is internal, but I done the design work to make it external and thus increase the internal space. This will give me more height for the layout. Julie EDIT Photograph added Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Small point - if you had used the hinges to carry the lectriky bits across the joints you would have saved messing with the flexy wires - just trap the feed wire underneath the hinge where I have bolt together boards, I do the same thing and feed across the joint through the bolt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam_Julie Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Good idea, but when I tried it, I had problems with continuity. BUT that was with DC control. The constant voltage, used by DCC may give better results. Julie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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