Newmodeller96

Hi Everyone, It has been 2 years since I have added to this Blog, mainly because life took over, 2022 was rather busy with getting married, a honeymoon and running our music business. However since the end of 2022 I have managed to get some time in the loft and lots of little plans have come together so that I feel like the layout is starting to take shape. I hope to get some new pictures in the next couple of days to update what has been happening and show what the next step is. However here are a few decisions I have made since I started this Blog that have started the build: - No Computer Automation on the Layout. - The use of Megapoints Controller products to do the following: - Points Motor Controlling - Block Detection - Signalling - Route Processing - Point position Indication - Mimic Panel with a visual block detection panel seperate to the mimic panels I have used Megapoints DCC panel to link with my new Digitrax controller so that I can control the layout from a controller as well as the mimic panel. I am currently in the process of designing a pair of helices to add a fiddle/storage yard under my layout to make the operational details of the layout more exciting as a train can go on a “longer journey” off scene before coming back to the layout. I am still overly dismayed at the small amount of modern day rolling stock from my region with the liked of class 375s, 465s and 707s which is starting to set my mind on the ideas of 3D printing and scratch building them myself however I have no experience of this so it will definitely be a challenge. So watch this space and I hope in the coming weeks and months I can continue to show you my progress and let you into my little world. H

I have always wanted to add a lower level fiddle yard to my design. I have been doing some work with dimensions in my loft space and have come up with the following design. I don’t have the ability to have a double track helix which is a shame however I can fit 2 x 3rd radius helix one each side of the layout. I would then design a fiddle yard with a line that can swap trains from the UP to the Down side of the fiddle yard. I plan on having the fiddle yard only about 8 - 10 inches lower than the main layout as space is of a premium still. My thought is that with the double slips at the top of each helix means that i could technically move a train off of each line to each helix however on second thoughts i don’t think there is need for this as I do want to run them as UP & Down lines so the trains would only need to run off the helixes in 1 direction. Looking forward to some constructive advice about these.

@Chimer amazing thank you

That was one of my ideas! But as you say it feels weird! I wonder whether I should move the emu shed to the headshunt position, then do the double slip change so that trains from the siding can then get to all platforms?

Hi All, While playing with my track design I am getting stuck about the station entrance/throat. At the moment anything in the terminus platforms 3,4&5 can only get onto the up line and anything in the EMU Sidings and Headshunt can only get into Platforms 3,4&5. Could someone help with a way to re-design the headshunt area so locos can get into there from 3,4&5 then out onto the down line. I have attached the zoomed in section for reference. I am modelling 80s to modern 3rd rail network southeast in 00 gauge. Thanks H

@Chimeryou might have solved what I have been looking at for ages. I’ve been trying to make the “fan out” approach work but couldn’t make it look “good” thanks!!

Hi All, I have got myself totally confused about signalling and wondered if someone could help me to add signals to my layout. the diagram is below. I am modelling in the modern era south east of England if that helps at all. many Thanks

Hi Everyone. I have got some track down roughly on my layout but now it is on the board I would like to open out the “station” section more to allow for slightly wider platforms. I have attached the picture and would like to move everything attached to the double slip (the red line) further on to the board. Any advice greatly received!! h

Anyone got any more news on Peco track! I ordered 4 electro frog points from Rails Of Sheffield at the beginning of March but am still waiting! I’ve emailed just to be told they are still waiting for supplies. Are there other shops with supplies?

I think because of the space I have it would probably have to be a separate system.

Hi Everyone, it’s been a month or so since I last posted and have begun laying track and testing what it’s like! I’m wondering whether anyone has any ideas of how I could add another level to the layout?

Well a few weeks have passed since my last blog post. Since then I payed a bit of track, decided I didn’t like the way the track felt on the boards, went back to the drawing board and have now drawn a design I am much happier with. The remodel has included the addition of a removable section of track that makes it a continuous layout, a new station design with EMU shed attached, on the other side of the layout there is then a small branch line terminus/through station with a diesel depot behind. I am now in the process of making sure I have all the correct point work and track to create the layout and start the process of laying track and working out the wiring. more soon....

I totally agree Mike! I have been thinking turning some of it a bit!!

Well here is the most recent update! I have removed that top track and agree it has tidied the whole space up! Tomorrow is my modelling time so will get a chance to lay some track out and get an idea to what it would feel like. thank you to all the help over the past months I’m excited by this outcome and can’t wait to start looking at scenic options and get building!

Hi @RobinofLoxleywhat is OP?

Hi @Fluo66thank you for your comments. I hadn’t thought at all about the trains heading past the station on the corner. I have put you’re ideas into my plan and really like the way they look.

Thanks @ITG the station building will be kind of hidden on the lower station and access will be from a large footbridge over the top of all the lines. they are all double slips in all places that they are used. so the bottom left of the layout will be under a hill and I am working out how to disguise the top left. Top right will have station stuff around hopefully to disguise that section!

This is my new update. I have simplified some of the station track. I know I need more space around the branch line station to make platform space but once I have the track on the board I know I can do this. Any other points from people?

@Chimer thank you for the advice. I am happy not to use flexi track just seen advice that it made it look “smoother”. My main issue is that I have mainly Hornby set track curves but I want to use PECO point work for the stations so need to work out how it will work. any tips on making set track look more realistic in the corners?

hi all I want to use flexitrack on curves to make them more realistic but I can’t use any rail, etc as I have a Mac and can’t use them on it. Is there any chance someone could plot some track onto a rough idea of my baseboard sizes so I can work out what tracksetta guides to buy? thanks H

Thank you for this @MyRule1 I guess the reason I haven’t answered about what I want from the layout is cause I still don’t 100% know! I guess a mixture of both continuous running (hence the addition of the loop track) but also the ability to run timetable-like movements! I'm hoping once the current situation is over to get to know more people so we could operator with more than one, person. However for the time being it will just be me! I do have a Hornby select DCC system but am hoping to upgrade to the Roco Z21 or other system soon as I just can’t get on with the Select! In terms of rolling stock I have very little but I also am quite lucky that I do have funds regularly available to invest in new rolling stock so the prices on those models you mentioned doesn’t worry me too much - there definitely won’t be many of the bachmanns though! I am thinking very clearly about the points of moving the layout, etc. Me and the mrs are planning a big extension in the next few years and with that the roof of the house will be removed so at that time it will need to be split up and stored so it has all been planned with that in mind. thanks again. H

@Chimer thank you. This is exactly what I needed for this area of the layout and I look forward to working on the plan with it tomorrow when I’m a bit more awake!

Ahh unfortunately the reason I can’t be this complex on the track in front of the water tank is that I want it to be removable. My original thought was to put a helix near the water tank so it would drop down there and go under the diesel depot for storage but I scrapped that for the continuous run! I totally get where you are coming from so I could think of something!

Thank you for that! Where from your point of view would you put the cross over from the inside line to the station? also is there a rule about what would be the “up” or “down” line! thanks

I think a radius 2 would fit but it would be tight for a radius 3.