vsmith wrote: No not yet, still need to do some clean up out there, maybe by this weekend I can post some test run pics.I also need to find out if I can post video to my MLS photo hosting.I wired up the last siding this AM. Its ready to rock and roll! ..after I clean the track
No not yet, still need to do some clean up out there, maybe by this weekend I can post some test run pics.
I also need to find out if I can post video to my MLS photo hosting.
I wired up the last siding this AM. Its ready to rock and roll!
..after I clean the track
Try photobucket it's free and easy to do and work's
Dave
The head is gray, hands don't work , back is weak, legs give out, eyes are gone, money go's and my wife still love's Me.
Have fun with your trains
Just a teaser pic, for all those guys out there with computerized DCC and radio wave recievers....
...my "High Tech" control systemand yes, I know I need to change the block ID numbers
I use the singel digit system for switch control normaly from the right hand
Dave, so do I, no powered switches on my layout either.
Those are just the track block controls to isolate sections of the mainline and the sidings, good ol' Atlas products, learned to us'em waaaaaaay back in the 70's as a kid, still think they are the best
I have "gone high tech" in that I do use a Basic Train Engineer R/C track throttle control, its that orange thingy in the background, I should post a pic of how I have that set up, get alot more hands-slapping-against-head-saying-oy-veh from the electronic gurus.
vsmith wrote: Those are just the track block controls to isolate sections of the mainline and the sidings, good ol' Atlas products, learned to us'em waaaaaaay back in the 70's as a kid, still think they are the best
Vic, I can't say I was a kid in the 70's, but I was in the 50's / 60's. ( War Baby ). Back when cardboard tie's and brass rail was King.
VIDEO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6FZKr4Fp-U
Early test run with a Bug Mauler, gives a good idea of the layout size
PS engine is running about 4 times regular speed so you can see the whole layout in 1 take.
Looks and Sounds right to me! That is some hard work!!!! Enjoy Vic.
Toad
Vic, have to say I like the 0-4-0 better on the rails, seems to grab the track! You have a smoke unit for it?
Also like to ask but did not last time what track was that you got from your friend, brass?
vsmith wrote:Test running, my stock Bug Mauler pulled two full size boxcars and caboose around in both directions, some slipping on the 4% grade, just like the real thing only i dont have any sand to lay down, but it didnt stop. I take that as a success! I was more worried about derails on the transition sections but so far A-OK
Vic - Saw the video - great progress! Are both sides of your grade 4%? They seemed steeper than that but it's hard to tell from the YouTube vid. I know you are watching your $$ but at some point if you can find some 2nd hand DCC decoders and controller that have a back-EMF feature, that would really help on those grades.
Al
gbbari wrote: vsmith wrote:Test running, my stock Bug Mauler pulled two full size boxcars and caboose around in both directions, some slipping on the 4% grade, just like the real thing only i dont have any sand to lay down, but it didnt stop. I take that as a success! I was more worried about derails on the transition sections but so far A-OKVic - Saw the video - great progress! Are both sides of your grade 4%? They seemed steeper than that but it's hard to tell from the YouTube vid. I know you are watching your $$ but at some point if you can find some 2nd hand DCC decoders and controller that have a back-EMF feature, that would really help on those grades. Al
No DCC for me, dont want the headaches adding decoder chips to engines that have no circuitry all like by bashers do.
Both sides are 4%. Long Grade looks longer just because its spread out longer, Agony Point is wrapped up in a tight R1 curve so it looks more compact. Agony Point is tougher, due to the mechanics of climbing a grade and a curve simultaniously. I have to add power going up and throttle back like braking going down, I've already found trying to pull 12 HLW minicars behind a double header that the weight of the cars going down can push a car off the rails derailing it. If I keep the trains lenth to about 7 or 8 cars, its no problem. Just like the real world.
vsmith wrote: I have to add power going up and throttle back like braking going down, I've already found trying to pull 12 HLW minicars behind a double header that the weight of the cars going down can push a car off the rails derailing it.
I have to add power going up and throttle back like braking going down, I've already found trying to pull 12 HLW minicars behind a double header that the weight of the cars going down can push a car off the rails derailing it.
Ever thought of trying a resistance circuit in your wiring with two way power toggles, so's you could run either direction and just flip the toggles over to the direction you are going and reverse a resistance circuit into the decline that U are coming down to lower/drop the voltage to that section of track coming down, than you could run and not have to adjust the power on the down hill run.
Just a thought here.....I really like your track configuration and design for your limited space. One of the best I've seen....
Byron
Sorry guys, just been real busy lately. Only been able to steal time at the workbench of late.
Been test running almost every engine on the roster, so far its been 60/40 with a few bad apples that may need to find new homes, they need some work and a couple are just too weak for the grades.
Ding this has made me keenly aware of what not having a layout to build for two years has done to my workshop, namely its overrun with engines, I really need to get a grip and consolidate my roster.
user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn" Vic, have to say I like the 0-4-0 better on the rails, seems to grab the track! You have a smoke unit for it?Also like to ask but did not last time what track was that you got from your friend, brass?Toad
Sorry I didnt reply to this sooner, the curve stuff is brass, but the straights might be stainless, I still havent layed everything out, been too busy during the weekends.
In case anyone is interested
Some testing results, R1 curves with integral 4% grade, so far:
HLW Mack based engines:
Single units: 7 ore cars OK
Double headed: 12+ ore cars OK
LGB Porter based engines:
Single units: 5 ore cars OK (slicker wheels)
Double headed: 12 ore cars OK
LGB Toytrain based engines:
Single unit: 3 ore cars max, light engine, no pull
Double headed: 6+ ore cars, better performance doubled up
MDC Hustler based engines:
Single: 4-5 ore cars max, light engine, no pull
AC Centercab driveblock bashed engines:
Single units: 7 short (20') boxcars+ (ran out of cars) these pull like a son of a gun! nice and slow. They are by far my best performers.
Double headed: not tested but I suspect I'd run out of cars
Big Haulers:
Gen 2 converted to 4-4-0, 3 short cars is limit, very poor runner, poor elect pickup, may end a shelf queen
Gen 4 converted to 0-6-0, 4 short cars OK, 3 large cars OK
Gen 5 stock. 4 short cars OK, 3 large cars OK
Bachmann Indy:
Pooper...only 3 ore cars more and the wheels slip, this is a flyweight of an engine.
Bachmann Saddletanker:
7 ore cars OK, 4 or 5 short cars OK, rough performer though, prone to clunking around the track.
AC Rogers:
7 ore cars OK, 4 short cars OK
Overall I am very impressed with the HLW mack bashes, they pull more than I would have suspected due to there weight, more than the heavier LGB Porters. The kitbash geared engines like the Shaykirk and the Climax have more than outperformed my expectations, they are marvelous pullers! The most dissappointing for me have sadly been the Bachmann products, Oh well.
Legend:
Ore car = HLW Minicar or LGB ore cars
Short car = 20' freight cars
Large car = 40' big hauler frieght cars
Just a thought. I noticed on your video the noise of the train.
On my indor O-guage the plywood under my track was resonating so loudly I couldn't hear the train whistles. I installed Indoor-Outdoor carpet beneath all the track. It cut the noise down tons.
Alan in PA
So far I've found most of the sound is coming from the metal wheels rattling around on the brass track. I had cork under the track on the previous incarnation, but I found it was nil effective when it came this wheel-on-track noise so I eliminated it this time around.
Entered my layout is a design competition over one the MR forum, so I had to "pretty up" the drawing, even got it formated to Jpeg in color.
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/GarageLayoutColor%20Model.jpg
Big image, so link only.
Now I see what you been up to......
Good luck man, I like it!
Vic that is a great small layout design! Have you built it yet? Plus, what software are you using to create that?
gbbari wrote: Vic that is a great small layout design! Have you built it yet? Plus, what software are you using to create that? Al
Ya might wanna read from page 1 of this topic for progress pics , this plan is just an updated colorized "fancy" version of the original working plan. It was drawn on Autocadd.
Been awhile since I updated here, mostly because I havent really made any progress due to too many Tim Taylor projects around the house, I might slowly now be able to begin to re-approach this project again.
When I was watching the extras on my "LOTR" dvd I was struck by the idea of the "Pre Viz" program, which uses blocky very basic computer 3D animation to study shots, camera angles, and how action sequences will take place before any actual film shooting takes place, so I wondered if I can do this with my layout, (not in 3D!) so I took the pics I had of my layout and the basic paint/editing program I have and just attempted to get a good idea of what the layout might end up looking like, so:
Dont mind the bright colors, or the chunky graphics, its really just to get a more basic visual "sketch" idea of what goes where with possible buildings and scenery.
Mate it looks good to me. Nice and tight too, I reckon both locos looked like they were taking it easy going up the grade as well. Do you get much or any wheel slip? Just by looking at the vids and the grade I thought that you might get a little bit that's all. Didn't look like you did though but over time you never know.
Cameron
He who has the most trains wins!!
Vic - Looking at the 2nd (middle) pix, raises a question: Is your actual trackplan modified from the drawing you posted on MLS (and linked to)? Specifically, the crossover in the pix is drawn as a spur (only one turnout) on the diagram. Any other changes in execution? Not criticism - just looking at operating scenarios. Nice job on the scenery simulation. I did spot one anomaly: the station/building just to the right of the switch tower (lower left corner of 1st pix) appears solid in the first dwg but appears open with a post on one end in the second dwg.
I'm not sure if I'm reading your Q right, but theres no change to the plan, its likely just an illusion based on the rendering. If you look at the plan on page 1, the pictures used was taken where the words "north yard" appears on the right side of the plan, theres still the spur on the lower track that serves the mine siding, and on the upper track the mainline enters the curve back inward on top of the tunnel below, there is another spur to a mine beyond there but it will be hidden from view at this angle by the mesa's behind the upper mainline.
The building are just representations, I tried on the middle pic to mimick the actual model but it was too time consuming, so I just blocked it out on the other pic.
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