I'm still here daily...I just haven't ran into any new troubles for a while.
Wes
Hey! There you are! Thanks for the update. BTW, chance of THUNDERSTORMS across Ohizo Wednesday & Thursday...
I haven't started the final wiring yet. I did pick up the wire for it. I still need to get the barrier strips, and more 6pos rotory switches. The wife has a huge list of things for me to do this month. She says that trains for are rainy days, and it hasn't rained in ohio much this month...still, I stop and look at the layout everyday...
great job. keep it up.
I changed the layout this week. I was having a problem with bridges and "earth" getting in the way of the lower track, and I was limited to running short trains. I have expanded the upper section, which also doubles as a long tunnel on the lower level. This allows 9-11 car trains to be run if multiple trains are on the track, or close to 22 cars if only one train is. I have my train passing area, a low incline, and now, much more room to but my city stip. Eventually I will put 2 switches on the new upper area to create a passing zone around the passenger station.
I am in the process or putting my stop sections back in, and making it run smoother, but you get the jist of it. Once again, not a great video, and the lighting is bad.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7169968261122847832&hl=en
And some pictures:
Thanks Brent. I'm learning, slowly. I wish I had provisioned more room. I'm running out of space for scenery!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8841224784182001869&hl=en
I added another video. I used a tripod, but no lighting improvements. I also used a DV camcorder, but used too low of a import setting, so video is not the best. The next one will be better. Still, I finally got a chance to add another stop block on the lower section of track. I change to a more overhead view about 2 minutes into the video. The way it is now, I have to manually release a train if there isn't a train coming in behind it IF I use the lower stop track section. I can turn off the lower stop track and run it like the older videos. I designed it to work with 3 trains automatically. I don't have 3 trains yet...I am also wiring up some momentary switches so I can make a train stop at each loop, and I release the one I want to. It's getting there.
Hey, I have one of those too. they come in very handly, and would probably do the trick.
I guess I could also just turn on the Lionel train lamp that my son just got for his birthday from his grandma and grandpa. It's the one that has the train go around the base of it. It's pretty slick.
Wes,Nah, just get rid of the OSU train - it is sucking the light out of the room! Fife uses these to get 'focal' light on the subject... He has two... I found one of these in our old garage when I was packing for THE MOVE, it has a new home in the train room! http://www.amazon.com/Troy-EL2211-6-Ft-Clamp-On-Light/dp/B000BMFX54/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5556695-6297401?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1183123530&sr=8-1
I will bring in lights for the next video. My basement isn't overly bright. I could replace my lightbulbs with higher wattage bulbs. I could also add some track lighting above the layout. I really didn't think much about it because to me, it's not much to look at yet, but it's a lot of fun to play with!
I have one, I guess I should use it...thanks for the tip!
Very Good looking start to your layout.
One Video tip: invest in a tripod, they are cheap enough and your videos will look excellent, you won't regret getting one, especially when your layout in near finished, (your videos will probably look like a movie set or a real train).
Here is another video. I changed it a little on the lower loop. I wanted a place where two trains could pass in opposing directions, and it cleaned up some other issues.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6879513757083617703&hl=en
I thought about that for a while when I built it. I have a solution to it, but I need some train time to test it...
Wes, dont you feel it odd for a freight to stop at a PASSENGER station?
Im just playin with you man, i know you couldent do it any other way.
Grayson
"Lionel trains are the standard of the world" - Jousha Lionel Cowen
I just saw that Scenic Express has premade/prestained bents for sale, and they are very cheap. Has anyone tried them? I wouldn't need any taller than 8" tall, but I would have to trim them down in height since it's on an incline.
Thanks,
Do people with realtrax lay the track right on the "ground" level, or do they use foam or cork to lift it up as compared to the ground level? I do plan on ballasting all of the track, even though the track comes preballasted. I'm looking for the texture.
Also, I am looking for suggestions on how to make an overpass on my upper level. It doesn't have to be prototypical, but I want it to look like it belongs there. It's the area just between the S curve and the foam mountain where the trains stop. Right now I just have some foam holding the track up. I have been working with Frank53 to make a wooden trussel bridge to replace all of the foam on the 042 curve that is just left of the S curve (for visability reasons), but I am having some trouble visualizing how to build the mountain or bridge that holds the switch that isn't huge, and doesn't cover up tracks. I want to keep the tunnel portals as far right as possible and not block the parallel track sections in the middle of the layout. 2 bridges is all I have come up with. I would like the turnout to be mounted on "earth", but I'm fine with suggestions on anything that might work...
Something like this:
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/View?u=3009006&a=32116967&p=75585989&Sequence=0
Thanks for your input,
Thanks everyone! After I get the second trigger zone set up for the third train, I'll post another video. Then I'll start getting rid of the pink foam!
GREAT JOB!!!!!
Keep us posted.
laz57
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
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