Prof Klyzlr

Dear Dr G-f, For those of us not in the know, "Granthamed"? Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Simon, Being wood, it has a different (warmer) resonance, and more-pliant back-pressure behaviour than a taut rigid air-tight plastic box... Now if only Lok had some EQ to tame that over-emphasised 800-1200hz range... (Izotope Rx paints a very interesting picture...) Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

PS - points for the first modeller who models the "shallow puddle" runthru - The "backhaul" car gives an additional "world beyond the modelled scene" clue, and gives ammunition to the Proto-nook modeller that they don't _have_to_ switch/spot _every_ car in the inbound train... Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Jason, If you've watched both parts of that video, there's a number of points-of-interest RE - Use of a runaround as an industry spur/spotting location - Handling of caboose in close-confines - Handling of "backhaul" cars, and associated switching complications It's also instructive to note the order of the cars in the train arriving at Bay Lumber VS departing Bay Lumber, then trying to reconcile these "starting" and "End game" conditions against the _shown_ switching moves... A delightful vignette video set for those wanting to model "what was actually there" (as opposed to what out-of-context advice or "conventional wisdom" says "...never happened...") Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Bob, Try Great Model Railroads 1995 page 56 "Night on the Docks" by Dave Nicastro. Interesting pic of Dave depicting what "eye height" benchwork looks like against a human on page 59... ...on relooking at this, I can't help but think I must have been channelling parts of this on B3AM... Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Joe, Apologies for causing angst! Please don't mishear me, I'm not saying that you can't /shouldn't have a circuit of track if you so wish, But you've already had at least one foray into extending the layout which did not bear fruit/immediately became obvious that it detracted from the factors which "got you in" in the first place, I was just fearful that in the chase to get "continuous running", you might "compromise the vision" again, (another "add, then subtract extra benchwork" cycle of wasted time/effort/$$) When solutions to get "continuous unattended movement", (so you can just stand-alone and "watch the train run", a la "Brooklyn: 3AM"), On the existing point-2-point schematic (IE without significant track arrangement/capacity change) are very-much available at various pricepoint and deployment-complexity levels... IE you can have the (cake?) unadulterated "layout you love and can-live-with" which inspired you in the first place, and the single-flick-of-switch ability to run either full-manual or hands-off-shuttle (eat it) too... Of course, if you know you have the room for some form of circuit, (and obviously you know what space and "political/domestic boundaries" are in-place much more acutely than any of us looking-on "from the peanut gallery" ;-) ) without unduly detracting from "what you loved about the layout the first place" or creating access issues, then by-all-means go for it... Either way, looking forward to see "where it goes next" ;-) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS I'm currently kicking off a new layout build, which will play host to 5x trains, from two different RRs, on a p2p schematic "5.5' x 4' + staging" show layout. I'm compromising my gut-level wants in order to enable a DCC solution, but I know it can work... ;-)

Dear Regularity, The Red loco in the first picture is confirmed as a 45 tonner (note the siderods). Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Kevo, The layout's gorgeous, the 45 fits right in. As far as the crane goes, just put "Bucyrus" on it somewhere, instant US-ifcation... ;-) I take it there's a cassette, traverser, or similar officers at left? Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve Prof Klyzlr

Dear Mark, Not that I want to put a fire under you, but.... For your inspiration to "git along wid it"... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear RMwebbers, Two Undec units arrived here, and the appearance + running characteristics are wonderful... ...however, I personally was left politely "puzzled and confused" by much of the manual... (and yes, I did start reading from the appropriate language end, although with my wife having some French in her background, I found myself understanding more of the alternative-translation section than I expected...) I get that there's a wide range along the spectrum called "senses of humour", but it's not helpful in what-is-meant-to-be a Tear-down and Maintenance manual the End-User can rely on... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Joe, So, I think I hear a TVD "Train Shuttle" http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/products/trainshuttle.html in your future.... (HINT: Just because it's not a circuit doesn't mean you can't enjoy standing back and watching a train slowly trundle thru the scene without needing constant manual-drive attention!) Please don't think the only way to get "constant running" is to build a loop!!! Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS if you happen to be OK with doing a bit of Arduino bashing, you might be able to save some $$ over the RTR TVD solution, and use the home-bruise version documented by Dr Geoff Bunza over on MRH http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/25045

Dear Milano, Well done! Glad to hear it's working for you :-) Nice, either should work well given the tight spaces... Hmmm, interesting question. Magnetic Uncoupling on curves is always challenging, esp if you intend to make use of the Kadee "delayed uncoupling" function. It is also tempting to place a magnet every single location you think you may need to uncouple, which is usually not the case. As a starter, reccomend reading thru Kadee's document on the subject, including an active "how to analyse where magnets should go" exercise. https://kadee.com/html/delay.pdf Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Milano, You asked.... First up, the following is really the minimum required for either Analog or DCC, using Insulfrog turnouts The RED and BLUE arrows are feeders. This plan will allow a loco to be parked on a spur, isolated by simply throwing the turnout, then running out another loco. If you are looking at using DCC, or want more-reliability from Analog, adding feeders as-shown is reccomended. It will reduce the reliance on rail-joiners and the Switch/stockrail contact at each turnout to pass power, but equally will eliminate the "park a loco, throw the turnout, and the loco stays where it was put" functionality. Again, the RED and BLUE arrows are feeders. If we are using ElectroFrog turnouts, (Like the PECO Code 83 US geometry ElectroFrog turnouts), on ANALOG (the below is not technically "DCC friendly", although with correctly-gauged wheels it should still work for DCC), then we will need to cut isolating gaps (or use insulating rail joiners) on the HEEL end rails of each frog. (Shown on the diagram below by the pair of parallel RED lines) Now, if we want to use ElectroFrog Turnouts _and_ DCC, then we''re kinda-obligated to "go the Whole-hog", and ensure the wiring is fully "DCC friendly" (IE maintains powered rail everywhere, while eliminating any possibility of glancing-short issues which can plague poorly-gauged DCC layouts and equipment) In this case, shown below: - RED and BLUE arrows are feeders. - NOTE! that there are Additional RED and BLUE feeders wired to the Switchrails of the turnouts (This way, the switchrail and adjacent Stockrail are guaranteed to be the same polarity under all conditions, avoiding "glancing back-of-wheel shorts". This is a key part of making a turnout "DCC Friendly". Instead of connecting the switchrails to the track-buss, jumpering them to the adjacent stockrail would also work...) - The Frogs of each turnout have their own feeder, shown in GREEN. This can be powered using a microswitch mechanically triggered by the turnout throwbar, OR using some form of active electronic switching circuit like a Tam Valley Depot "Frog Juicer". - Each turnout has insulating joints (gaps or insulating joiners) on the HEEL-end of the frog, and on the TOE end of the frog (PECO include little wire links which can be snipped from the underside of the turnout to achieve the required insulating gaps) I hope this helps. If there are any terminology issues or questions about the above, I strongly reccomend you ask and get-them-answered First, BEFORE firing up the soldering iron or laying any track! (This is one of those situations where getting the plan-of-attack clearly in-mind before starting the job will repay in a smooth installation which "just works") Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Milano, As a basic rule, "feed power into the Toe of the turnout" is a good start. For "Wye River City", and assuming you are using Insulfrog Turnouts, I would suggest that it could be wired at-a-minimum with: - a pair of feeders on the tail-track between the structures which form the "Big Factory" at Right - a pair of feeders right where the Cassette at left joins the "landward" trackage, under the "overhead walkway" at the "Warehouse" Again, assuming the use of Insulfrog Turnouts, and a single-loco-at-a-time operation, one could add additional feeders to eliminate the reliance on rail-joiners and switchrail<>stockrail contact points, but this would also start disabling any "turnout-switched spur" control (IE park a loco on either the "Grain" or "Factory" spur, throw the turnout, and the loco is isolated and stays-put) If using ElectroFrog Turnouts, there will also need to be some additional isolation-gaps added at the Heel End of all 4x turnouts. Hopefully this helps, if you can confirm whether you intend to use Insulfrog or ElectroFrog turnouts, and whether you intend to use Analog or DCC, then we can certainly provide some more-specific wiring assistance... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Industrial loading-dock-spacing fans, A quick spin thru the Search function of this very forum dredged up this beauty from a few years ago... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Joe, It's your layout, and removing benchwork is just as easy (if not easier) than clipping-more-on... One of the keys of building a really appealing micro/small layout is to keep focus on the central element of appeal, and strenuously avoid "just piling-on more because... (we can, someone else said we should, more-is-better, etc etc)...:"... ...in truth, all you're doing is watering-down the presentation/impact of that initial key element which drew-you-in in the first place... FWIW, YMMV, Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS I've gone on-record before as saying that when the layout is small/micro in overall size, the modeller has to optimise literally every sq inch, because there's soo few of them to work with... ...however equally, there _is_ such a thing as "too much" and "excess for excess's sake"... (strange place to get layout-design advice, but Coco Chanel was onto something... ...and both Lance M and Iain R frequently advise "leaving some blank-space for scene decompression")

Dear Zomb, "just remove the traction tyres" doesn't always work, the traction-tyre-equipped wheels tend to have a machined-in trough on the tread-face for the tyre to seat in. Remove the tyre = the wheel now has a "wide groove" (as opposed to a smooth face) which affects the wheel/rail contact-surface interaction. The MRH thread linked-to above essentially started with a modeller wanting to know where he could source a spare "non traction-tyre" wheelset for his Walthers-era SW, so he could remove the traction-tyre (and associated wheelset) "properly"... ;-) (Full disclosure: it was the MRH thread that brought to my attention that there was a difference between LL and Walthers "Proto2000" locos, I had/have only ever had LL-era "Proto2000" locos, so didn't know that there were "Proto 2000 locos with traction-tyres"... ...just goes to show that just saying "Proto2000" doesn't actually completely-nail-down the exact specific loco in question...) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Milano, Pls keep in mind that there were earlier LIFE LIKE "Proto 2000", and later WALTHERS "Proto 2000" versions of the SW switchers. The earlier LL units were NOT DCC-Ready or Equipped, but had all-wheel pickup and are solid performers over turnouts. The later Walthers units were offered in DCC-Ready and DCC-sound-equipped variants. The problem is that, in order to allow space for the sound gear, some weight had to be lost. The "solution"(??) to the weight-loss/lost-adhesion was to add a traction tyre, this reducing the pickup footprint, and reportedly causing issues on insulated-frog turnouts.... http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/32673 I'd reccomend the older LL versions (have a small fleet of them in regular service), but would advise caution with the Walthers units.... Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear John, Stock, Broom-curious... Might I suggest any of the following? Evergreen Hill Designs http://shop.evergreenhilldesigns.com/EH603-Street-Broom-HO-scale-EH603.htm Scale Structures http://scale-structures.com/ss2313 http://scale-structures.com/ss2509 Model Tech Studios https://modeltechstudios.com/hoscaledetailpushbrooms3packfinished.aspx Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear Kevo, Components - 1X LL-era P2k SW1200 mech - 1X Atlas GP 9 shell (both readily available on ebay, should be under AUD$50 or so all-in) Recipe - Cut away SW1200 hood - Trim GP9 hood to length - Mount GP9 hood on SW1200 frame = job done (bonus points for grafting Ath SW1500 flexicoil sideframes onto the P2k trucks, Or start with a Ath SW9 and just pop the replacement sideframes straight in) Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear BR, The key is context, both plotlines directly relate to the daily life reason-for-being of railroading in Canada. (not everything in "the great white north" is unit trains and CP red... ;-) ) Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr

Dear RMwebbers, In Aust it's being shown on free-to-air, with original canadian narration, awesome scenery and a lot less "every-2nd-moment-there's-a-showstopping-drama-moment" beat-up than most Discovery series... (I'm looking at you "Ax-men"....) Long Trains, CP, Northland RR and Southland RR, it's all good... :-) Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS the episode tonight showed a Frog replacement, with nice close-up images of what a really-beaten-up, cracked, and fatigued mainline turnout looks like...

Dear Stock, Nothing out of the ordinary there, plenty of active (Visual and Aural) modellers overcoming similar age-of-life factors (I personally wear glasses, and am -3dB down at 1K in my left ear...) Now, that's a flat-out self-depreciating lie, and I (and I'm sure many other members here) won't let you get away with it... As long as you can find the motivation in yourself to (in Modellng, as in Life) Aim to Improve, then what you're doing is most-certainly "good enough" to stand tall here or anywhere for-that-matter... Happy Modelling, Prof Klyzlr

Dear RMWebbers, Thankfully, just like the pursuit of Scale Visual modelling, Scale Aural modelling means that once the appropriately-scaled sonic model is achieved, there is no (scale modelling) reason to change it (IE make it louder)... Turning up the Master Volume CV "because it's a noisy room" is IMHO no different than putting G scale details on a HO loco "because No-one notices the scale-appropriate-sized details at exhibition-viewing distances".... (If the punter is truly-engaged by the model presentation, they _will_ automatically lean-in, get up-close, and be rewarded with a "finescale" audio bonus which is in-keeping with the otherwise-finescale visual model... ...said another way, even a prototype 12"/1' scale loco in notch8, screaming it's prime-mover out, is rendered "inaudible" by an earthquake or tornado-worth of "ambient noisefloor"... ;-) ) Happy modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS just because a "scale sound" loco or layout can't be heard "against the 12"/1' scale noisefloor of the room" at 6' listening distance, does not mean the audio thru-air soundwaves the ear recieves aren't physically present in the air, Only that the punter has to actually _consciously listen_ for them... ;-) (funny, that's just the same as the punter having to _consciously look_ for the "superdetails" in a finescale modelling scene...)

Dear Shortliner, Unsure how your local Walthers sources/ordering works, but they do a kit of their industrial roller doors https://www.walthers.com/truck-and-railroad-dock-doors-kit It also appears PECO may do something which could work, with some paint/graffiti/weathering https://www.walthers.com/truck-hgv-loading-dock-door-detail-pack-wills-fits-concrete-industrial-retail-building-made-using-552-ssm300 https://www.walthers.com/roller-roll-up-shutter-doors-detai-pack-wills-fits-concrete-industrial-retail-building-made-using-552-ssm300 Worst comes to worst, some scale corrugated iron https://www.peco-uk.com/product.asp?strParents=3351,3352&CAT_ID=3355&P_ID=18001 laminated to a styrene-sheet backing could work for emulating the "552-ssm300" PECO link offering above... Happy Modelling, Aim to Improve, Prof Klyzlr PS if you _really_ wanted to be thrifty, and could make up for the $ with creativity, a texture-sheet from ScaleScenes https://scalescenes.com/product/tx54-metal-plates-timber/ might give some suitable fodder?