Jaggzuk

Hi Rob There was a new release out yesterday, which includes a new roads feature. With this you can now add complex roads networks over and under track using the normal tunnel and bridge track tools. You can also customise the roads with various road markings and also apply gradients. See http://www.scarm.info/blog/general/scarm-v-0-9-24-released/ for more info.

Hi Mike From your screen shot it looks like you have used ST-221(R1) curves to set the separation between the two straight pieces, then tried to fill the gap with Flex track? As these were very tight radii curves to start with so the tolerance of the location of the end of your first curve would be very tight and if out, could easily cause a miss-connection for your second curve. It looks like the first curve (left hand one) had both a very slightly greater radii and angle than the set track pieces therefore making it impossible to connect the second within SCARM minimum tolerances. If your gap between the two straight pieces was larger either in the X or Y directions you would find the tolerance decrease and you would get a fit. Have you watched the two tutorials on using Flex which may help out. http://www.scarm.info/blog/basic-stuff/scarm-video-tutorials-part-7-use-flex-rail-to-close-a-gap/ http://www.scarm.info/blog/basic-stuff/scarm-video-tutorials-part-8-use-flex-tracks-to-create-large-layouts/ Another way which you might find helpful when creating reverse curves is rather than trying to do it with just one piece of flex track, is to start from both ends you are trying to connect to, such that you have two separate flex curves. First create two curves in roughly the right position; radius and angle. The select one curve and use Reshape from the context menu to fine tune your shape. Once you have one piece set you can then Reshape the other piece and make the connection with the auto connect feature; track ends turn to red/green. You may find that SCARM then uses a mixture of radius and straight to make the actual connection. Using Reshape to connect two seperate flex curves into one reverse curve Reverse flex curve auto connected SCARM uses a mixture of straight and radii to create the final reverse curve If you want to adjust the radii without connecting them straight away, you can use right mouse click once you have finished moving the flex track. Do this inclemently for each piece as close to the right position as you can before allowing auto connection to take over. If you use left mouse click you will add another section of flex track, which may be useful if you want to add another radii in to the mix. Note: you can also set the minimum radii for flex tracks from the Tools/Settings menu. On the Edit tab change the drop down "Minimum Radius for curves" to User Defined and then set an appropriate radius value Hope this is of help. Paul

Hi Mixy I was wondering if you know of a way (hopefully easy) to be able to scale scenic objects up of down between scales? Such that for a any object drawn in for example Z gauge they can be scaled up to say a OO? It is just that there are now some fantastic objects being drawn but not in the scale I am creating my plan for. Cheers Paul

Barnaby, Do give it another go. Like with all things software takes a bit of getting used to but I am sure your efforts will be worth sharing. Paul

Hi Beve Firstly welcome to RMWeb, I hope you find this forum a great place to hang out and friendly. There is much to read and see and it is a great place for all things model railway (and prototype too). As to your comments on cylinders, I too hope for a bit more flexibility on Object creation in future release. But in the meantime I have had a play to see how cylinders could be created and come up with the an embryonic steam loco. Ok very 'toy' like I know but at the end of the day as long as it has the form and size of a steam loco, then it is an aid to planning a SCARM track plan. After all we are after the look and feel of a layout and not the creation of fantastic 3D imagery; MS Train Simulator can be used for that. Paste the following in to a new SCARM file (using notepad) and then open in SCARM. # SCARM Project File V=0.9.23 beta TStraightRail|ST-201|ST-201|335 RM|16.5|76|1|2.5|28|2|2.75|0|Peco|OO|0;0;-1;0|0 SP|20|-24|90|0 #Chimney TFigAcc|2|30|0 TRailAccessoryCircle|Chimney||1|clBlack|2697513|0|0|0|[20;140][4;0]|1|1|1|10|15|0|0|0|2697513|0|0|0|0|0|0||0|0|0|0|0|0|0 TSubAccessoryCircle|Chimney||1|clBlack|2697513|0|0|0|[20;140][4;0]|1|1|1|10|15|0|0|0|2697513|0|0|0|0|0|0||0|0|0|0|0|0|0 &AccDefsEnd #Boiler TFigAcc|2|30|0 TRailAccessoryCircle|Chimney||1|clBlack|clgreen|0|0|0|[20;40][12;0]|1|1|1|5|110|90|0|0|clgreen|0|0|0|0|0|0||0|0|0|0|0|0|0 TSubAccessoryCircle|Chimney||1|clBlack|clgreen|0|0|0|[20;40][12;0]|1|1|1|5|110|90|0|0|clgreen|0|0|0|0|0|0||0|0|0|0|0|0|0 &AccDefsEnd #Wheel TFigAcc|2|14|0 TRailAccessoryCircle|Chimney||1|clBlack|2697513|0|0|0|[30;140][7;0]|1|1|1|0|2|90|0|90|2697513|0|0|0|0|0|0||0|0|0|0|0|0|0 TSubAccessoryCircle|Chimney||1|clBlack|2697513|0|0|0|[30;140][7;0]|1|0|1|0|2|90|0|90|2697513|0|0|0|0|0|0||0|0|0|0|0|0|0 &AccDefsEnd #Chassis TFigRect||||20;80;14|160;35;5|90|8421504|0|0|0 #Cab TFigRect||||20;25;14|32;44;40|0|32768|0|0|0

Hi Barnaby Glad you have found this topic on SCARM. Do let us know how you get on with it I have used various planning software (TRAX, WinRail, AnyRail and XtrkCad) I even have Templot installed, but then I think my 3 year old probably is not too fussed by realistic scale track, he just wants to play trains!! I am using SCARM to plan my layout for several reasons, firstly I like it, secondly it has a 3D view (great for multi level layout planning) and thirdly it is free! Also, it is still in Beta version, so I enjoy new tools and features being added as time progresses. The author (Mixy) of the program is pretty good at solving bugs and responding to requests for new features; track plan image import being a recent new feature. I sort of agree with you on the "toy-ish" look, but I prefer to think of it as a tool to helping realise layout ideas without too much effort being wasted on very fine 3D render and top notch scenery / buildings etc. If I wanted to only every use the PC to play trains and have very realistic scenery etc. then I would probably go down the route of MS Train Simulator of Trainz. But we are in the world of actually creating a model railway layout and that needs various tools to help with the planning process; pen and paper included. So for me the boxyness of it is part of the course. I am hoping that future release will include some form of enhanced library for scenery items especially ones create by other users and one scenery feature I would love to see is a re-scale tool such that an N gauge object (i.e a buildings) can be scaled up to down to other gauges. Look forward to seeing you progress here. Paul

After a post Christmas trip to the NRM at Shildon end of year toy fair with my 3 year old son, I came away, with among other things, two boxes of the triple Railroad MGR wagons. Even though these are Railroad versions, I was impressed with the level of detail, ok they are missing the fine level detail some wagons now have and the chassis lacks and painted details, but I think with a bit of a paint touch up and some weathering they will be great addition to my railway (once built). The key bit that was missing though was a good realistic coal load. While I was at the show, the in-house Shildon Model Club layout “Shildon” was being operated with some modern stock. Whilst we watched one of the Ops got out a box of coal loads and began dropping them in to a rake of HAA MGR wagons. He showed me that they were home-made from shaped pipe lagging covered in grit blast grit. With the wagons also being weathered they added a great finishing touch. So, I cannot take the credit for the idea, but I thought I would share how I made the coal loads and what they look like when finished. I have to say that I am really pleased with the outcome and the way they have enhanced the wagon. Plus this was the first railway modelling session I have had with my son. He painted on the glue and helped to sprinkle the coal dust… our model railway hath started!!! So here’s how I did it: 1) Starting point, 10mm dia. Microbore foam pipe lagging (15mm dia pipe lagging would also work) 2) Cut it in half long ways and angle the ends so it fit snuggly in the hopper, no need for a lift out loop as pushing down on one end pops the load up out of the wagon for removal. 3) Cut, scrape and pick off the foam to required coal load shape, thus creating a unique load shape every time. 4) Sprinkle on black grit to represent the coal over PVA wood glue. Make sure that the surface of the foam to be coated with glue is fully roughened to create a good key – remove all shiny surface. 5) Leave to dry; the load will become quite stiff and robust. I found that I could create each load in about 10mins, with small hands help! I researched photos on the web of MGR wagons to get an idea of the way coal loads looked in real life. What I found was that there were a number of key visual points to bear in mind. Auto load, which creates a uniform section, sloping sides and a flat top. Manual chute, typically three/four mounds. Track side bucket loader, creating various mounds and levels of loading from flush to high peaks. In some cases the bucket of the loader was used to flatten the coal load down to maintain loading gauge and reduce loss due to air flow. The final visual point to note is that MGR wagons carried power station coal and this is typically transported in a pre-crushed state and looks very fine, no large lump coal! Hence, track ballast is too coarse in my view. I crushed a lump of ‘real’ anthracite coal using a hammer to a fine grit/dust. Which when stuck to the foam, I think looks perfect as it has a lovely black sparkle effect like the real thing. Useful links to photos of real wagons Shows the fineness of the MGR coal load - http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brhaatopskip/h119292E1#h119292e1 Auto loaded coal load - http://www.flickr.com/photos/55879910@N02/6277683605/in/photolist-ayJLCe-gyFia4-dUTfzq-bsFEwK Large heaped coal loads - http://www.flickr.com/photos/55879910@N02/9558916762/in/photolist-fyFWVG-dnewHu-gJqVHV-g8GVdB-dvPq5E-e45QLz-e49q2D-akoVz5-b9DEm4-iu7kDD-dcepw2-9sMB4m-e5GUBg-dUKfeY-cWGf97-dNmSYp-d1Tqrs-fq9nxU-foCt9R-foSK4Y High peaked load - http://www.petertandy.co.uk/58023_mgr_hat_3785.jpg Load flatten with loader bucket - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Penmanshiel_Tunnel_(coal_train_on_new_alignment)..jpg Railfreight wagon with coarse coal load - http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brhba/h3c33f975#h3c33f975 Side view of coal load - http://paulbartlett.zenfolio.com/brhda/h1cb3829#h1cb3829 I hope this article is of use and inspiration to people Views of my efforts (click images to view larger versions): Pipe lagging cut to shape Checking it fits in the wagon Before and after gluing on the coal grit/dust Finished view, before weathering wagon Finished view, before weathering wagon

What a great question and very curious timing too, cos I am actually in the middle of writing a post to detail our first OMWB modelling session together, me and little boy No1. I say No1 as there are two now; two little boys! Ok, so three years have past since I last wrote on this Blog and event though North Marsh Road went no further (for now), No1 son is soooo into trains it is slightly worrying; nature nurture thing? I think I have to say that the nurture thing works very well, may be too well, poor Mummy! We have masses of Brio now which he loves and we also have a OO loop on the railway room floor. Yep I now have a permanent railway room in our converted attic, allowing for a 12' square layout to become reality - plans are afoot for a bigger North Marsh Road, more soon on that one. Ned has been playing with OO for 6 months now, mostly my old stock but some new Railroad items too. What has amazed me the most is that he has very fine hand/finger control and at 2 3/4 he was able to rail rolling stock using a Hornby Railer section of track! He has mastered how to uncouple tension lock too. So back to the post I am currently writing, it follows a trip to the end of year Toy Fair at the NRM at Shildon..... watch this space for more details. Happy New year too!

Just noted that a new version is now available with an image import facility: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/22613-scarm-modelling-software/?p=1237743

Just been looking at some of the layouts in the Track Plan library and there are two that really stand out as to show what SCARM can do. http://www.scarm.info/layouts/track_plans.php?ltp=3 and http://www.scarm.info/layouts/track_plans.php?ltp=4

How to create a baseboard with an operators well in the middle In response to a post on another thread http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/78345-which-layout-design-software/?p=1230657, here is how to create a baseboard with an open aperture in the middle, like this: 2D working space 3D view To create this type of baseboard, you use the "Toolbox" from the Tools menu. Using the option "Baseboard (abs. coordinates)" you enter each corner point in turn starting from 0,0, then 3000,0 followed by 3000,3000 etc. In effect you are drawing a long line with a series of turns, joining back up with 0,0 at the end. See also http://www.scarm.info/Toolbox_BB_abs.jpg and http://www.scarm.info/Toolbox_BB_rel.jpg Something like this: The important point in creating this type of baseboard is where the two baseboard lines touch at 0,2000 and 1000,2000. As SCARM will not allow baseboard lines to cross (or to lie on top of each other) you have to 'trick' it in to drawing it connected. You do this by off-setting one corner point by 1, the 0,1999 in the above case. Once drawn, you can very easily move points to modify the shape. You can also add or delete points at a later date using the context menu on the mouse pointer to add complexity to the baseboard shape, like cut outs around room obstacles or add angled corners etc. Depending upon how you decide to build you actual baseboards, I overlaid my plan with standard baseboard size shapes in the 2D working space. These have a zero height, therefore remain invisible in the 3D view. You could add actual baseboards shapes like this: Giving the standard baseboard shapes a thickness and colour will make them visible in the 3D view. Also see http://www.scarm.info/blog/advanced-techniques/baseboard-with-a-hole-inside/ I hope this is of use

Some further views and info on SCARM from the O Gauge Railroading forum website http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/designing-your-layout-with-scarm http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/a-scarm-tutorial-part-2-baseboards http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/scarm-track-planning-software---hello-from-the-author

I like the layout idea L&Y, a good out and back with some nice scenic interludes. The short bit of track between the two tunnels on the right reminds me a bit of the junction on the Huddersfield line that goes to Penistone. My only observation is you say that the layout will be sided by walls on the the side but the operators well looks a tad small for the whole family to stand in ;-)

Best layout I have seen for a while on ebay, nice ballasting too. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MODEL-RAILWAY-LAYOUT-/271287710588?pt=UK_Trains_Railway_Models&hash=item3f2a01f37c

Thanks for the advice on what to buy. What is the best glue for the Draft Gear box on plastic wagon kits, does plastic melt glue work (eg Mekpak). or is it best to use a taped screw fitting?

Thanks guys for the really helpful answers to my questions. I am pretty much sold now on the Kadee way forward. So will now look at getting the appropriate packs of couplings and start the conversion process, I might first get one the of sample pack they do to see what all the different type are. I guess I have one outstanding question on robustness which is still making me a bit hesitant. How resilient are the couplings to being hit a bit too hard when being coupled, i.e. if ‘little hands’ are at the controls and the shunting move is a bit too fast/hard? Paul

Hi I have found this topic to have been really useful and informative with regards to the conversion and fitting of Kadee couplers; but as I have a more general question on Kadee Couplings rather than on the height standards, have posted it on this topic - link Paul

Now, it might appear to be a bit of an odd question considering that I have no actual layout as of yet; all at the planning stage, but a recent experience at home has sort of got me thinking. I recently bought some old OO stock for my 2 1/2 year old son to play with, rather than my expensive stuff. Well as it turns out, as he has very good fine motor skills, he can shunt and drive his models round a very simple loop I built him with great control and care. He also loves nothing better than to couple up long trains on the floorboard floor and pull them along and here lies the problem, tension hook couplings. When he wants to separate the trucks and coaches the hooks make life really difficult. I have a lot of stock pilled rolling stock, mixed old, new and kit. I started life thinking that 3 link couplings would be the way to go for realism reasons, so most of my made kits have them. A few RTR were converted to 3 link, but now that idea has fallen by the wayside due to new little fingers. Having read a fair bit on Kadee I sort of think that they will be the best for me and my son on the layout I am planning. So what is the view of other users on this and in particular these points: Conversion ease - loco, wagon coaches, not looking for a big answer, just is it worth the effort? Usability - me and my son Robustness – in case of hard shunting and stock being separated by being picked up vertically. Cost What to do with the 3 link, leave the hook in place? Any help much appreciated.

Shall look forward to seeing things progress. Any questions on SCARM do ask.

Hi Jon_1066 That's great looking layout. I really like the way you have used SCARM to set the layout in the room, works well in 3D. Great locos too! What are the layout dims? Having grown up near to Kings Lynn, I remember my first childhood trip to Cambridge and was amazed at how long the main platform was and the big four way diamond crossing in the middle too. So your idea of half of the station is a great interpretation. I think this is a great view, before rationalisation - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cambridge_Station_panoramic_view_northward_in_early_Diesel_days_geograph-2397822-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg All the best with the wood cutting and building. Paul

I am currently planning a layout, which is one of the great armchair past-times we all go through; and in some cases, it feels like that is all we do. Well, I guess that is part of the railway modelling fun, dreaming, researching, planning, sketching, tweaking and sometimes screwing up and consigning to the bin. Some of us like to doodle, some like to sketch and others spend time to play with computers and use model railway planning software. Well I have found the latter to be both good fun and helpful. Especially when it comes to what you can realistically fit in to the space you have; pencil and paper plans so often are impossibilities when it comes to realistic radii and point-work. So why for this post, well I recently came across a newish piece of software that I think is really good for design and planning a layout; in any scale. It is called SCARM, Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller. It comes with a whole host of track libraries covering most gauges and manufactures of track including flexi-track. It also includes some basic landscape objects such as signals and trees. You can also build your own structures and buildings using simple object shapes. Building a track layout is pretty straight forward as each unit snaps together and there is good control with flexi-track pieces to create bespoke curves. You can then introduce levels and gradients to create realistic multi-levelled layouts. With the addition of bridges, tunnels, basic scenery and land forms as well as outline building shapes, a dream layout soon comes alive. But the best tool the software offers to help to visual the planned layout is the 3D feature. The rendering is fast and the angle of view is fully controllable; pan, tilt and zoom. It really helps to see what the layout will look like especially when levels and gradients are involved. 3D snapshots can be taken of any view allowing the image to be posted online; a great way to show off your layout plan So, to the main aim of this topic, I hope it can be a single point of conversation (within RMWeb) on the use of SCARM, both to share layout plans and to ask user questions. The author of the program also has a Blog for SCARM with regular updates and there is a website where it can be downloaded from. He is also a member of RMWeb. Link to the software: http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html and link to the Blog: http://www.scarm.info/blog/. As well as my layout plan, seen below, I have also created some basic UK rolling stock objects that can be used to help with visualisation as well as sizing of things like platform lengths, sidings etc. These are available from the SCARM Blog website along with lots of other useful things to get you started. Also. see my SCARM gallery http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/gallery/album/2706-scarm/. Example plan, a view of my North Marsh Road - i have used track colours to help to denote differing levels of the track. An example 3D snapshot, a view from the platform ends looking toward the main junction. Paul

Only just started? Wow can't wait till you really get going on your layout. Great photo!. You have the photo angle just right, nice and low. Way too often I see layout photos taken from such a high angle that only a bird would see that sort of view. Yours is such a great shot, that you are almost lead to thinking that you were at a Depot open day when you took it. Paul

Cheers guys for the comments. Well I guess I have to hope that nature has given him the interest in all things railway, but hopefully with a with a bit of nurture I am sure he will get in to all things toy trains. Perhaps being close to the Wensleydale Railway, I could also take him to see the real Thomas the Tank Engine when he comes to visit or a bit further to see the ECML race track at Northallerton? All exciting times ahead. Andy perhaps I should set a deadline of his first birthday to build a round-y-round train set... for him of course Had a quick look at LGB James and that looks cool. A lot of our friends have said we should have a garden railway. We have rather a long garden so it could be a great feature, but then not so sure after seeing the prices, phew!!

Mmm I think that is a pretty big throw for me from... "North Yorkshire" Paul

And I though the 3 night shots were very good until you posted the one in post 372 of the Class 47, just fantastic!! Are you exhibiting during 2011, as I would love to see this layout in operation? Paul