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Valentin

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Blog Entries posted by Valentin

  1. Valentin
    Slowly, slowly I managed to finish with the track laying. All the track and the turnouts are in position, glued with PVA to the baseboard.
     

     
    I used a small Graham Farish wagon, converted to 2mm standards to test the track by slightly tipping and taping the baseboard, and everything looks to be fine.
     
    And I have just started with the electrics. Actually, half of the rails are already wired.
     

     
    The next step will be to build the controller and make the real track test by running the converted Class 24.
  2. Valentin
    I've finished with the turnouts. The next step, after taking the whole assembly off the Sundeala board, will be to cut all the gaps in the rails and, using an ohmmeter, check for short-circuits.
     
    I'd like to highlight the usefulness of the roller gauges and the Bar file 0.020" thick for installing the switch blades / wing rails.
     

    I
     
    In my opinion one can survive without jigs or other helpers, but these gauges are absolutely the bare necessities for turnout building.
     
    And the result:
     

     

     
    Now, the BIG challenge: the TOUs. I really need to make up my mind and chose a very simple TOU, probably using a slipper and fuse wire...
  3. Valentin
    I really enjoy building the turnouts using the PCB timbers. Even more, I started to experiment new construction methods.
     
    I've chosen to make all four points in one go, on a Sundeala board then transfer the whole assembly to the plywood baseboard. I still wonder if this is a good approach...
     
    Some photos with my progress:
     

     

     
    Next step will be to install the switch blades and check rails (six pieces of each).
  4. Valentin
    Not very pleased with my previous attempts in building the tracks and points for my layout I have recently decided to take it from the beginning.
     
    I will go ahead using the same track-plan, made using Templot, by Keith AAndrmes:
     

     
    For the baseboard I purchased a new, good quality, 1/4" thick plywood cut to size (4' x 1'1") which has been nailed onto the old frame (saved after removing the original ply board).
     
    I have decided to build the turnouts off site, on a Sundeala board. Because all four are very close to each other I thought it might be easier to build them in the same time and not one by one. This way all the rails will flow smoothly.
     
    I glued the track plan to the Sundeala board using the 3M Spray Mount.
     
     

     
    I made an A6 Easitrac turnout but I have to admit I didn't enjoy building it like I enjoyed building them using the classic "rails soldered to PCB timbers" method so I'm going to re-build all the turnouts using my soldering iron.
     
    I stuck all the PCB timbers I've got onto the track plan using double-sided adhesive tape then I started the work which I enjoy most: soldering.
     

     

     

     

     
     
    Below is a comparison between the new made turnout (left) and one of my first attempts (right). One can notice the bigger (and not so prototypical) gap between the stock and the check rails.
     

     
    I am quite pleased with my new built turnout and it looks like my skills have improved.
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