richard w Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 Honestly thought those lights were shop bought or at least kits mate, they are great. The scene looks brilliant and what a view from those back bedrooms! How much is the rent in those houses? Very tempted Love that last pic. Cheers. Mike. Think I'll have to gather some figures at the bottom of each garden doing some spotting. Homeowners could charge them for the use of their gardens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard w Posted November 17, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 17, 2014 Spent tonight adjusting the lights and getting things working a little better. 22 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard w Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 Over the past few days I've been building the traintronics signal gantry kit. I've modified it into two double track gantries. Its my first go at doing anything in brass and i'm quite pleased so far. Only criticism is the instructions which where not exactly ideal. Google images was more helpful. 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Topping Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 That looks awesome Richard. Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Alister_G Posted November 23, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 23, 2014 Well done Richard, I think that's a brilliant first go, really neat soldering. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloucester Road Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 That is absolutely brilliant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sub39h Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Love those gantries! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard w Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Thanks guys I've made some more progress tonight and got the signal heads installed. Very fiddly to hide all the wiring but got there in the end. Extra detail is still required, but so far I'm very pleased with how this project has gone. The left gantry has Berko heads and the right has Traintronics ones. Cheers 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Very very nice!! looking forward to more of this... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold PjKing1 Posted November 25, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 25, 2014 They look great!! Cheers, Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 First class work, very nice. Cheers, Bob. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hybridangel77 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Those signal gantries look the nuts Richard...well better than my attempt at building them. I did however get round to purchasing some signal heads for my gantry from the warley exhibition at the weekend so hopefully i can get them in soon so they should start to look nearly as good as yours mate. Terry 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apex Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Looking really good, your videos on youtube was the sole reason I got back into the hobby. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard w Posted November 30, 2014 Author Share Posted November 30, 2014 (edited) I've taken a short break from the signals and have focused on some weathering that I've been meaning to do for months. First up was the 128 which was far too clean and shiny. I've used some pictures for reference and I think I've managed to get close enough. Next was my postal stock which I've had for ages. These trains always seemed to get really dirty, especially anything still in all over blue livery. Remember seeing these run through while waiting for your train? Edited November 30, 2014 by richard w 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughnut Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Great pics ...think you've got the weathering spot on there Richard. Dave Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d winpenny Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 The weathering looks spot on to me David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
class"66" Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 More impressive work Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campaman Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Loving this layout, its giving me inspiration to actually start laying some track of my own. A quick question, I noticed in the background of one of the pictures your temperature controlled soldering iron, this looks to be the same as one I have just inherited, do you know what brand it is or where it came from as I need to get some new tips for mine? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axel.Richardson Posted December 10, 2014 Share Posted December 10, 2014 Great work on them signal gantries Richard. Been looking at your weathering videos and I think I'm going to give it a go as you make it look easy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard w Posted December 10, 2014 Author Share Posted December 10, 2014 Loving this layout, its giving me inspiration to actually start laying some track of my own. A quick question, I noticed in the background of one of the pictures your temperature controlled soldering iron, this looks to be the same as one I have just inherited, do you know what brand it is or where it came from as I need to get some new tips for mine? Thanks Its just the cheap one from maplin. I think the later ones actually have maplin written on them but my older one doesn't. From memory they are about £15. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanman27 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Hi Richard Like most folk here I have been following your channel for a couple of years or more but I just recently discovered this thread, which is excellent as well! After a few previous layout attempts and much scouring YT etc for inspiration I finally settled on your double helix idea for the basis of my layout. The main reason is because it allows me access without having to crawl underneath ( which was starting to get to me big time!) as I am not getting any younger... and it also allows me to use the full length of my garage while leaving space for a workbench. Also, your idea for the fiddle yard means that the upper level can change as many times as necessary with the FY remaining in place. So, on to my question(s)..... I wondered how you keep track (no pun intended) of what is stored where underneath? I am discovering that you can use block detection for instance, which I am currently looking at, or CCTV camera's maybe. Also, is your layout all linked to the same bus or do you have power districts and do you employ any kind of circuit protection in case of shorts? I am just awaiting delivery of my DCC system (Digitrax Super Chief 5A) so want to make sure I get the lower level wired correctly first time to avoid having to go in again at a later date. Keep up the excellent work and keep them video's flowing (please ). Cheers Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard w Posted December 11, 2014 Author Share Posted December 11, 2014 Thanks Paul For keeping up with whats stored where the current system to try and remember or get down and have a look (low tech but it works). The way I've staggered the tracks does allow for quite easy viewing from across the layout, but there are a few spots that are difficult to monitor. At some point I'm going to put a light under there with a webcam linked up to a monitor. When I finish running the trains I park the everything back in the fiddle yard and try to leave a clear track for each line. Then when I come back the chance of a crash is reduced, but I usually do a quick check before I get things going. The current wiring setup involves two pairs of bus wires. One is for DCC power only and runs the full length of the layout powering all the tracks. The other pair is 12v DC used for lighting and point motors. Hope that helps. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blanman27 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Thanks Paul For keeping up with whats stored where the current system to try and remember or get down and have a look (low tech but it works). The way I've staggered the tracks does allow for quite easy viewing from across the layout, but there are a few spots that are difficult to monitor. At some point I'm going to put a light under there with a webcam linked up to a monitor. When I finish running the trains I park the everything back in the fiddle yard and try to leave a clear track for each line. Then when I come back the chance of a crash is reduced, but I usually do a quick check before I get things going. The current wiring setup involves two pairs of bus wires. One is for DCC power only and runs the full length of the layout powering all the tracks. The other pair is 12v DC used for lighting and point motors. Hope that helps. Hi Richard As I suspected then since you have never mentioned power districts or circuit breakers in your videos. That is pretty much the same as what I have done so far so if it works for you that's good enough for me. One more question: How do you protect against shorts or do you simply have 100% faith in your wiring? Thanks again Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard w Posted December 11, 2014 Author Share Posted December 11, 2014 Make sure all soldered connections are strong and insulated then it should be fine. If there is a short circuits the dcc system will cut out and protect things. I short the system out quite often when I forget to move a metal tool thats been left on the track. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I watched some of the vids - you mentioned respray ing that while rake of coaches in NSE, you'll never have to prove your dedication in any other way I don't think Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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