jamesinyk

Just ordered this - it's virtually identical to Hassocks station of the 80s which I used daily for 7 years. 

I did a bit of Sunday wiring this afternoon, quite pleased with it. Oh and it works 

1 hour ago, Crosland said:

Earthing blocks are a LOT cheaper, e.g., https://www.screwfix.com/p/4-way-earth-block/12386

Those look neat, will pick up a few. 

Any thoughts on this for distributing power?

Thanks, will see what sort of bids it fetches as it seems fairly involved to convert it and might not be the greatest runner. I really want a Blue / Grey - the Dapol ones only seem to be the later Executive livery. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GRAHAM-FARISH-N-GAUGE-CLASS-43-HST-BR-BLUE-GREY-INTERCITY-125-W430014-/324466633944?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
 

Anyone know if this can be fitted with DCC?

Thanks Pete, yes going to try the Seep motors and will fit a CDU

As per the image, is there any good reason why I wouldn't hook both these point motors to the same switch? So that the pair were either set to cross over, or not?

12 minutes ago, Kris said:

I would recommend glue (pva or copydex) rather than pins.

Interesting, does it clean up off the track ok if you decide to change the layout in the future?

Any recommendations for a pin pusher for SL-14 pins? I have one that I think is meant for OO pins and it’s bending them. Fixing into MDF.

I’ve ordered a polystyrene gradient set to test out whether I can climb enough over a small distance. 
 

Lightly pinned the non-flex parts of the track to the board today to see how it feels. Quite pleased with it. 
 

2 minutes ago, RobinofLoxley said:

Right up to a point, no pun intended, you follow your 'loop' and see where it goes, and whether you can work out where to isolate. Better to do all the track revisions first then see whats left at the end

Yeah I’ve got a printout of the plan which I have studiously highlighted to check what connects to what. 

Thanks for all the advice, appreciated. 
 

On the polarity point, as I understand it the central loop needs to be isolated and supplied via a reverse loop module (I’m thinking Lenz LK200). Right?! (Crosses fingers)

Thanks, I'll have a look at that. 

This is where I got to tinkering with it. I have all the track for it so I will probably give it a go to see how much clearance there is and adjust it a bit accordingly. The idea is just to have something fairly small, with a decent run from station to station (e.g. station -> outer loop -> inner loop -> station) - obviously that can be a bit limiting for multiple running but I've added some more points for the inner section so there's a pair of out-and-back routes. Who knows, it might be terrible but it's just a little introduction to N gauge for now, in a small space. 

Yeah I have a tweaked version with a slightly larger footprint and no first radius. And yes the tunnel markings on the diagram are wrong  not bad for a first attempt eh?

2 minutes ago, DavidCBroad said:

Sink the canal in.   My lightly ballasted OO Lima  class 37's manage 5 or 6 Mk2s up a 1 in 14 gradient up my garden in the dry but I wouldn't recommend it.  The track plan looks weird, is it your own work?    CJ Freezer has some good plans in his various books, 60 plans for small railways, 60 plans for large railways, 60 plans for railways in the outside loo etc.

It is based on an out and back I found, and I added the points bottom left where in the original was just 2 platforms - just to allow continuous running sometimes. 

7 minutes ago, Dagworth said:

Why does the whole gradient have to be in the tunnel? You could start the climb a lot further back around the curves and have the tunnels part way up. Real tunnels are through hills, you climb up to them (ok not the ones under rivers!) 

 

Andi

I don’t mind where the gradient starts, but not sure there’s space to get back down again!

Whole layout:

BR Blue era passenger - I have a Dapol 33 so far which will have 3 or 4 Mk1, seeking out a 2-4 car DMU or EMU, maybe a short HST rake if I can find a blue & yellow livery one. 
 

I’d like the straight to bridge a canal ideally. 

Can I feasibly climb 3cm through the outer tunnel sections above? 

And by the magic of Amazon...

Fantastic thread, have really enjoyed reading through it. 
 

My school commute from 1987 to 1994 was from Hassocks to Brighton so nice to see your destination board in the background. 
 

Looking forward to your Southern book arriving tomorrow 

Thanks for the replies - any suggestions as to good sources for second hand kit whilst there are no shows going on? eBay obviously, but are there other good classifieds sources? 

9 minutes ago, Kris said:

4 cep's are available you just need to be patient until one comes up on eBay or second hand in a shop. Or have a really good hunt and you might find a new one. 

Thanks Kris, any idea who made them?