33212

Hello, after your views and advice please. The new layout is multi level, upper is scenic, lower is storage - it’s a big layout, each side is 28feet max length, and about 8 feet max width for the scenic, the storage is the same length but 16 feet at the widest. The general idea is that the scenic level offers a roundy roundy option and to and from the storage yards option. The two are connected by a helix. An idea is for trains going to and from the storage level to be going in the same direction once at the bottom of the helix, this would simplify the operation there. I have sketched a loose plan, A joins A, B joins B, X joins X and Y joins Y etc, not to scale etc. It’s DCC so probably need a reverse loop module here and there. Just after an opinion, is this do-able or not?

Further work, have removed the old chipboard boards, the picture below shows the frame of what will become one of the storage yards, this side is 28x2 feet. Plywood boards cut and delivered today so will be lugged up here tomorrow. Following on from the question I asked about spirals and ramps, the second photo shows two black lines drawn on the roof support, this will be the height of the scenic boards, which allows me to sit at them to work and run trains, you can see the height difference between the storage and new scenic level. If I did not decide to future proof for old age, I’d have be kneeling into the eaves to run trains. Atleast this way, its just the occasional dive under to pick up errant trains. Have decided that a spiral/helix is the better option. Intend to order very shortly. The third photo show a bit if the second fiddle yard, on the opposite side of the loft. Once one has been built and tested, the stock will be moved over and this one refurbished, it is the last remaining part of the old German layout, so was built to operate ‘backwards’ and later the points at either end changed for British operation, but all the dead end sidings point the wrong way. This will be corrected. This also offer 28x2 feet of storage space.

Because there are two existing fiddle yards at about 18” height from the loft floor, and the old layout was in front at the same height. This was good when started and in use 15 years ago, but you have to reach over everything to get to it. Operating wise, it was a kneel down job. As I am starting again, the plan is the raise the scenic boards up so I can sit to operate it..being nearly 50, not 35 when I started it, I’m future proofing it, sod kneeling and reaching in at 70!

Could do, could hide it

Hi - all diesel era types, 80’s with loco hauled trains 8 mk1/2 etc and various EMU formations up to 12 cars, freight into equivalent of 8/10/12 cars in length.

Hello, after some opinions and advice. I’m planning a new layout and will need to bring the trains up approx 2 feet in height, maybe a little more, from pre-existing storage sidings to the scenic part. I have the room for a helix, or as an alternative, I could run a ramp up between the two levels, maybe 60 feet in overall length, wrapped round the room. The question is, which performs better? Would a heavy train going down the ramp lose control? Anyone tried this? thank you in advance.

So, another period of inactivity, primarily due to the realisation that more does not always mean better. 2020 has been terrible for so many people and I have suffered three bereavements this year so focus has not always been on matters in the loft. Well not directly anyway. What has happened is much watching of layouts on YouTube and also various websites such as EM gauge 70’s etc. The inspiration from these has led to a new year’s revolution and work has started on a refreshed layout by taking most of it apart! The basic idea for the layout remains the same, but I’m swapping to fine scale code 75 for the scenic bit and all the code 100 will be used up in a new set of storage sidings. Control will be DCC, using my ancient Lenz stuff. Points to be electrofrog. First action was to remove all of the track, completed just before Christmas, second action was to lift the boards and dispose to the tip, they have had three layouts on them now and are full of holes. Next step is to tidy it all up, sorted out all the stuff stored in the loft and board out with new ply ASAP. Even found a box of Roco locos from the German layout, forgot I had them! They will be cleaned, tested and ebayed.

thank you for the speedy reply, will check out the options.

Hello, Just after a bit of help please, I have recently, for reasons not yet even clearly known to myself, taken up most of my layout and am starting again. In the course of the strip-down, many of the PL-13 switches used to power LEDS, have fallen apart. Added to that, I'm swapping to code 75 for the scenic bit and using the mountain of PL-10's and code 100 stuff in an expanded storage area. New PL-10E will be used on the new scenic bit, with electrofrog points, but want to swap to PL-15 for the polarity switching, they are rated at 2amp, is this rating high enough for the purpose, on DCC. The other option is Gaugemaster GM500's. Any advice appreciated.

Some rusted raggedy HTV'S are needed..

If I recall, all class 33's visited Bangor / Holyhead except one of the /2 slim Jims, 204 or 207 rings a bell, so pretty much take your pick of which ones - the latest "Burma Star" is a really nice model..

So, loads more time has been spent in the loft. Have more time now to spend tinkering, nearly finished track laying and finished wiring it up today and have had the whole lot running with clean track - this takes a few hours to clean as there is quite a lot of it. Spent the afternoon chipping up a pile of locos purchased over the last year, and unboxing stock also purchased, takes ages! The Cavalex PCA's are just a stunning model and all 12 look great running round. One has a rough running axle swill investigate that, otherwise great models and fit nicely with the cross-London traffic depicted on the layout, I remember seeing them on the Medway Valley line back in the day. I am gradually obtaining the GWR150 liveried class 47's and 50, the 50 arrived via eBay a few weeks ago and is now chipped and roaring around. I opted for the weathered version as, I recall, every time I saw it, it was filthy, whereas the 47's were immaculate. 47628 (Bachmann) 47500 (Heljan) and 50007 (Hornby) rest in the carriage sidings at London Knightsbridge.

Hi - this layout is just stunning. The peaks look fab.

ok - have changed it so it is not potentially libellous.

Don't know about the D6xx etc but there was lots of crossover - so behind the scenes in the retail world, there must be conversations between suppliers about pricing and selling of each others wares.

I visited Ally Pally yesterday....I found it was a bit "flat" over previous years, maybe for me its just become too familiar....there was nothing to buy on the Bachmann stand - always used to be a good "scrum" there...Several of the large retailers were there, Kernow, Rails, Hereford and Cheltenham etc- but I found they were all selling the same stuff. All had a raft of the recent releases by Bachmann, all had piles of Hornby 66's at around the £67.50 mark - all were discounting Bachmanns mk 1's and 2's...I was looking for a 47576 Kings Lynn in NSE - all had these and prices ranged from £99-£125..so take your pick of where to get it (I did not get one in the end) - and all were selling each others items - Hattons warwells and RHTT stuff was everywhere. Lots of independent sellers - I think they were great and made the show - its the access to all of the little odds and ends... One thing I did notice, and heard others comment on, was just the sheer cost of things nowadays - one chap was interested in the Bachmann blue pullman set but it was £600! - it just a loco and five coaches in reality. I baulked at the cost of spending £25 on a four wheel open wagon (Bachmann MCV), the same was less than a tenner just a couple of years ago. I wanted about ten to make up another rake - ok for £100 but not £250! And I am comfortably well off to be able to splash out when needed - but there is a fine line between value and rip-off. Money stayed in my pocket and I'll get them one by one on eBay when I see them. MG

4 CAP - two of the pending 2 HAPs banged together. Class 45 - 80's styles - before another manufacturer jumps in. Class 09 - Bullied style EPB

even just the rail freight grey with yellow ends (pre red stripe) would be great

thanks all, will try later

Afternoon, having a few frustrations with the 4TC - fitted three different brand new Bachmann 21 pin chips to try and program, all get Error02 - this is on a Lenz set 100. Reading back through the thread, is this because the system is not detecting a motor, and should plonk a loco on the prog track, program that so both get done then change the loco back - does this work?? My next step was to put the whole 4 car together on an extended prog track but got too late last night to Pfaff about with it.. many thanks Matt

thank you will give it a go

just trying to fit my first sound chip and speaker - legonanbiffo esu, class 33 - fitted in fuel tank, the chip has two brown wires and the speaker red and black - does it matter which goes to which? don’t want to screw up £118 chip many thanks Matt

Just a few words.. Hornby has had its ups and downs over the last ten years, outsourcing everything to China, design clever, changing the old guard, leaving Margate, suppliers not supplying, alienating model shops, setting up their own, modelzone collapse - stock implecations, old guard coming back..they have survived where others have failed...Woolworths etc.. Hornby should continue marketing and building for three "tiers" bronze, silver, gold, or starters, normal and premium..and have a distinct plan for each. They can ditch some wheat and chaff if it has not sold, why waste time with it? The best thing they can do is keep making decent models to suit all budgets and we need to keep buying them.

So we caanot even use a loft for storing things balanced on the beams? I expect 99.9% of the properties with a loft are acting in contravention of the law then....but reading the words on the planning portal, introduces lots of "mights" and "mays" not musts.. Boarding-out for storage In most homes, the existing timber joists that form the "floor" of the loft space ( i.e. the ceiling of the rooms below) will not have been designed to support a significant weight (known as "load"). The joists tie the pitched members of the roof together to prevent them spreading and support the ceiling lining of the rooms below. An excessive additional load, for example from storage, it may mean that the joists are loaded beyond their design capacity. If you decide to lay flooring boards over the existing joists in the loft space, then this may require a Building Regulations Application to Building Control. Your local Building Control body will be able to advise you on this issue. Creating a liveable space If you decide to create a liveable space (a 'livable space' is where you intend to use the room as a normal part of your house, this includes spare bedrooms which may be used infrequently) in an existing loft space of a home it is likely to require a range of alterations. The DS will ask for the measurements of the joists, so measure before calling, a liveable part of the house would need a staircase, ladder access means that it is not part of the liveable space....you should not have ladder access and have a bed up there of course. Best advice is to speak to your building control - mine was satisfied with what I had done and have the certificate..its cost about £400 for the building control application which included the visit when work was complete, peanuts in todays money in the hobby.

Quite, just inspected the entire upstairs if my house and the loft supports, beams, purlins and everything, no cracks or anything to worry about, one contented DIY'er sitting with a beer watching two 47's pulling 12 bogies each meandering round, might fire up the pair of 37's on HAA's next, always a pleasing sight, will sit near the hatch ready to dive out incase of emergency. My place was built in 1950 and is brick built throughout, even internal walls are brick, no cheapo plasterboard walls.