We have an extensive G Scale layout set up in our basement. Everything is LGB, with the exception of one Accucraft engine. The layout is 61 feet long and between 3' 3" and 5' wide. Style is European, set roughly in the 50's and 60's. Because this is enjoyed by grandkids, I've tried to make it interactive. They can fill tank cars remotely and load trains (and a boat) with two cranes, one at each end of the layout. The three motors for the cranes are underground and the 'hooks' are solenoids taken from small relays. The main yard is at the far end and has its own control panel, but everything can also be controlled from the main panel, using video cameras (also useful when young kids are at both ends of the layout and out of sight!). To keep it simple for kids to run, I used old fashioned isolated sections. Three trains can be run on the continuous track with 20 additional isolated sidings/stationtracks, each with a signal and lights on the panels, so kids can see what's live and going to move! Remote sidings have electric uncouplers and all switches/points are controlled from the panels. I'm working on a video but am not even sure if this photograph posted, so may need help with this!
That sounds like a nice setup. I bet the kids and you have a blast. I'd like to see a video of all the fun.
Happy RRing
They do indeed Todd. I ran a GoPro camera around the track but saw several areas hidden from normal view that needed attention, so when I've fixed those I will work on a proper video. I see the photograph I added to the post didn't work so am obviously doing something wrong. How do most people add pictures. I don't have a web site specifically for these trains.
G Scale,
The easiest way I have found to include photos with your posts is to create an account on Photobucket or some other free picture-sharing site, post your photos there, then link the photo file into your post. If you use Photobucket, I believe you would use the "IMG" filename to link your work. The process is a little cumbersome at first, but quickly becomes fast and easy once you have learned the process. As for videos, you must also post them somewhere first and then link them into your post. I use Youtube. It is also free and requires an account set-up initially. I would be happy to walk you through it if you would like. Send me a private message (PM) if you are interested, or we can work through the forum here. I would like to see the work you have done - it sounds impressive.
Wilton.
Thank you Wilton. I will give it another try in the next day or two!
Ed
Here are the pictures, now with text!
The north end of the layout contains a yard with one end of the continuous loop hidden under a hill. One end is entered through a machine shed, the other through a conventional tunnel.
North station has three tracks.
The main control, by the north station. There are 20 isolated sidings for 10 locomotives and the continuous loop has 8 sections that can be isolated so theoretically 5 trains can run on the loop at the same time, though three is more practical. All switches (points), isolated sections and uncouplers are controlled from the panel. All sections and sidings are controlled by signal lights. The main yard is at the southern end with it's own control box, but all these controls are duplicated in the main control station (the box on the right) and trains can be controlled using the video camers and screen, as this area is out of sight, 60 feet away. Also useful for keeping an eye on grand children!
The control panels all hinge up for easy maintenance.
The layout includes some antique farm pieces I played with as a kid 55 years ago!
The tunnel under the hill opens up to a river. The area under water was painted on flat board, the darker colors giving the appearance of depth. Stones and lichen (representing seaweed) were placed at the water's edge, then I poured 8 individual layers of clear epoxy (the type used for bar tops) over everything.
Because I wanted to keep the grand kids involved, I scratch built several interactive pieces. This crane is controlled by three motors. The 'hook' is a solenoid taken from a minature relay, attached to phone wire as the cord. The hook attaches to steel implants in various loads, which can be lifted and dropped remotely from cars across three tracks plus the hold of the trading ship moored at the wharf.
The wharf is a replica of a Cornish (UK) loading dock, built from individual 'blocks' made with self hardening clay.
After the harbor, the track runs through fields and across a road bridge.
The line approaches the southern station.
The continuous loop reverses direction twice, using two diamond crossings, to make driving interesting!
After the main station, the three lines enter a tunnel under a town. The southern end of the continuous loop and three additional isolated sidings are all hidden under this town, visible at the controls by video cameras. The continuous loop connects to the large southern yard, emerging under a signal box.
All eleven sidings in the main yard connect to the layout under the signal box to the right of the picture.
The second crane in this yard also uses three motors, but is a gantry crane running on six bearings along two raised rails about four feet long. A solenoid 'hook' works in the same way, moving between cars on three different tracks.
Some parts came from a ToysRus toy building site vertical crane about 5 feet high!
The water tower pumps water into tank cars. The electric pump is located in an open tank below the track and controlled remotely. The tank car can drain into this tank by opening a valve.
The flowing water can just be seen in this picture. The siding is long enough for 5 tank cars to be filled, one at a time and the kids never seem to tire of filling and emptying them!
I wanted this layout to be operable and enjoyed by grandkids, so opted for old fashioned isolated track sections with visible lights to clearly show which sections are live and switches (points) controlled from the panels rather than coded remotes. Even the six year old can operate at least part of the layout, while the nine year olds can operate everything.
Well the photographs came through but none of the comments and explanations, which were added for each picture. Any way of getting them to appear? What am I doing wrong?
You may have posted the text along side the photos. Which means the text is still there, just off screen to the right. Just go back in to edit mode and chase the text down with the enter button. You will need to end up looking like:
photo
(balnk line)
text
text (however many lines of text you need/want.)
blank line
photo.
Tom Trigg
Thanks Tom. Doesn't seem to be an option to edit my last post. Perhaps this is because I'm still at the stage where every post is monitored? I added the comments in the text box below the box for the URL link to Photobucket, for each photo, so didn't really have an option where the text would be placed.
Ed,
Even without the accompanying text, your work is extremely impressive. Thanks so much for sharing. If you are unable to resolve the problem of text placement, I suggest a conversation with the Kalmbach (Garden Railways' parent company) technical support staff. They have helped me on occasion, are very knowledgeable on this stuff, and I am certain they can help you make it work the way you intended. Kalmbach's main phone number is 800-533-6644.
Thank you Wilton for your kind comments and your help. I called Kalmbach's number and they are having someone look into it. She is supposed to call me back at the end of the week or perhaps next week, so we have to sit tight! I do want to get the comments in there as they give a better idea of how the layout and much of the interactive stuff works.
Wow, that looks like a great layout!
2 quick things.
#1, I must whole hartedly agree with the others of the quality of work.
#2, I went "inside" your post and the text did not make the trip.
Hint, for the future. Post a single pic, talk about that pic, post next pic and so on.
Thanks for everyone's help getting both text and photographs to appear!
Finally got the video made and uploaded to the magazine! Lots of referring to the manual but GoPro cameras are amazing and their editing software surprisingly easy to use. Any 'under the hood' questions on the layout? Just ask! http://grw.trains.com/how-to/reader-videos/2015/02/an-interactive-indoor-large-scale-layout
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