jmarsh1976

BIt more progress on the mimic panel, should be done soon! using 3.5,, jack sockets for point motors/isolated sections of track. xlr connections to track and programme track. track laying/wiring is next, originally planning to use peco oo code 75 track. Based on the layout below . this is where i'm having abit of a wobble with what direction to take. I am toying with the idea of going down the em/oo finescale scale route, however this is my first model railway and whilst am competent at most things involved, soldering etc. and have most of the required tools I am wondering if I would be taking on too much to go down this route. However the last thing I want to do is build it in peco and forever wish I had used hand built track. Another option mi am also thinking about is c + l flexitrack with peco points to save on cost but may be better just adjusting the sleeper spacings on the peco track as im not sure how the difference in sleeper width will look. I am doing a tmd however so most of the sleepers will be hidden in general muck. So i would like to know whether it is possible to use oo or em handbuilt track with my current track plan? i understand that the tolerances/radii are less forgiving. from research it seems my modern image locos will be fairly straight forward to swap to em. there is also the cost factor. the peco route is much cheaper. decisions decisions....

Hi, I used a mixture of gloss cote, tamiya gun metal and black. Thinned down and used a pipette to drop it onto the track. Put a bit more gloss on the sleepers later Cheers

this is my test track of a dirty oily tmd track. fairly pleased apart from the gold rails. Ive got some nickel silver blackener so that will dull it down hopefully!

Thanks terry, I'll have a look. I've managed to achieve the look I'm after on a test plank but that was much easier to access. I think I'll weather the track insitu, I want to get all the electrics working before I lift a paint brush.... Cheers John

Thanks! Just trying to contemplate how to put the track down, or at least the best order which to lay it. Do I weather it first or when laid? Need to get the plan on the board and work out where droppers, isolation section etc go first I guess.

I think they call it modular construction

So, ive built a test track, got the point motor working, tried my hand at ballasting and weathering track and weathered a couple of locos so i guess its time to start a layout thread. This will be my first layout and ive decided to build a small depot with a scratch built maintenance shed. I'm sure I will do some things wrong but be patient it's my first attempt!. The layout is entirely fictitious and is set around late 1970's to early 1980's. It will be powercab DCC with a mimic panel and cobalt point motors. Track is peco code 75. Thought long and hard about hand building track but for my first effort i though i would be better off keeping it simple. here is a few pics of progress so far. overall view class 25 mimic panel started shed under construction

fantastic work, really inspirational for newbies like me!