Chilly

Fantastic thread I didn't realise automatic uncoupling was available ! Apart from Precis are there any other makes available and are they straight forward to put onto locos? Is Precis straight forward ?

Thanks David Having measured mine from black line to black line of the track on Scarm there is a minimum 80mm distance between them for the island platforms and the bottom one runs at 70mm from the wall to the track, so look to be Ok gap wise and perhaps will require the track moving in a bit to take into account your measurements. Chilly

The bottom left and right ones look straight forward, possibly the left one was what I envisaged......but the right does give length strength. Not sure which one would be best for mine in view of layout could be a combo? Left one lots of brackets right one very few hmmmmm Where did you get the racking from? Can the track still be nailed securely to the board as this will be a permanent installation. We I get round to ballasting the track is there any preparatory coating required to its surface? Thanks

There will not be much in the way of buidings etc, the heaviest load will be where the trains are parked in the sidings, say 5 max top and 4 max bottom. Sounds like thin battens along the the lengths sitting on brackets may suffice, edged with very thin plywood. I was thinking https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk/product/25mm-x-38mm-blue-treated-roofing-batten-price-per-linear-metre.html?msclkid=51e56ffc6c941230e94a310ccdb078f7&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=[Main Shopping] [Catch All] PLA [18.08.14] [LP]&utm_term=4576785871088784&utm_content=All Products Sorry Ron - for whatever reason didn't see your pictures above they didn't load - no idea why? I think that is what I am looking for

Thanks for the replies. The layout is as follows, the thin bits being 1ft Width (the bottom station will be a 1ft width so that line can be ignored it will go straight across), the corners being 3ft by 3ft length before it meets the 1ft bits and the top station being 30 inches width tapering down to 1ft. All points will be motorised (MP1's) via a z21 DCC system. I was think of brackets every 1 foot but that maybe overkill? Is styrofoam that strong and rigid, apologises for my ignorance?

This is a very interesting topic as I will be starting my baseboard which is of a shelf type running around 3 walls. Does the styrofoam come in grey as well per the picture on the panel systems link above? If the board is 1ft wide does this still need any frames? How easy is it to cut? Thanks

The track measurements are from the track edges on scram so not from the track centre line if I have understood this correct, so it corresponds from the sleeper edge and not the track centre So on Scarm measured from the black lines of the track and not the centre of the grey infill bit of the track drawings above. Chilly

Thanks for your comments the current baseboard blue line at the bottom is misleading, the thin part in the middle at the bottom going to the left hand corner is approx 1 ft width (probably more like 11"). I guestimated the island platform width which is perhaps over generous Scarm measurement indicates 88mm from track to track. The back wall to the track is around 65mm. The terminus station will be at the end and the track shuffled accordingly along to the left, I think I had allowed around 10cm-15 cm depth for the station on the right end edge unless I could get away with a low relief one if anyone does them. Chilly

The layout is per below but i want to skinny down baseboard to one foot width for bottom terminus, hence question. I think it should work, station will butt up to wall at the end of the 3 tracks. Station for top as well with another island in the right hand gap

What would be considered a minimum width for an island platform? Following on, a minimum width for a single track platform set against a room wall? Layout is 3 tracks running to terminus station on a 1ft width baseboard. So platform against wall, 2 tracks, island platform then single track furthest from wall. Thanks Chilly

Hi As an aside where did you get the station and the platforms from, sorry as off topic they look great. Chilly

Thank you chaps (Dave, RFS, IKCdab, Newbryford, Mark and Phil) my mind is at ease as PECO E199 are asymmetric Cheers Iain, I will refer to all the threads when the track arrives. Without this website I can honestly say I would have made a right **** up of the lot, once again thanks. Chilly

Hi Both I have MTB MP1 motors which should also do the polarity. Thanks Chilly

Good to hear. Thanks Chilly

Thanks Dave Are the points motorised? Chilly

I have read on a site that 3 way points are the work of the devil and are best avoided if possible. (dramatic somewhat or is it hmm) Are 3 way points more difficult to wire up and operate than double slips like that site suggested, I can see that a double slip could operate like back to back single slips so makes setting up easier. Is it easier to avoid 3 ways and instead have 2 singles in tandem operating to give the same result as a 3 way would albeit sacrificing the space a 3 way would save? If this is the wrong place to ask this question not sure myself with it being track/DCC/DC related I apologise in advance and will move it where advised to Chilly

Yes the NYMR is a great line and a hour drive from me, all the steam loco's and carriages I have are based on what are resident there. The TV program about it that ran for 3 seasons on Channel 5 also gave interesting insights into its workings. https://www.channel5.com/show/the-yorkshire-steam-railway-all-aboard/ Thanks for the photo of the platform it will help me on my layout. Chilly

Thanks David for the input, at some stage in the future a 9F with a single chimney will find its way on the layout as NYMR have one.

Thanks Izzy, excellent.

Thanks Phil. Fortunately all straight platforms but useful information. Chilly

The layout is designed and just need help with spacing. What is the minimum gap between 2 tracks to put an island platform in, say a standard sized one not too wide? If different what is the suggested minimum gap between a back wall (shelf layout) and track for a station and platform to comfortably sit, this presumably will depend on the station depth but again lets say standard station depth (if one exists). Thanks Chilly

Your absolutely right and without it I can add the detailing to the loco's front and back and get rid of the nem couplings. Brilliant ! Oops what forum section should this be in

I get your point but it is a once in lifetime occurrence just trying to ensure that everything gets sorted would that work better than Iain's suggestions Still no track

I will be going with what you have advised Update - bought 3 DRs and 24MP1's lockdown is hammering my bank account What cable wire do you suggest to link the lot together? Cheers Chilly

Hi Iain Now back on topic, further question, I have read in a lot of places about CDU's for powering points etc is this not necessary with the z21 and those points/banked decoders mentioned above so nothing at all else required to run the points (no further gadgetry at all)? Thanks Chilly