Search found 401 matches

by Mike_R
Sun Dec 20, 2015 2:45 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls
Replies: 32
Views: 69964

Re: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls

Looking good! Do you want rocks that are in situ or rocks that have been placed there? I've used carved foam for both. This one is a carved rock face. I start with the rough shape of the rock face, then cut across with a knife in the direction of the rock layers, with other faults at around 90º. Fol...
by Mike_R
Fri Dec 18, 2015 11:02 pm
Forum: Layout Design
Topic: Hello folks
Replies: 7
Views: 34585

Re: Hello folks

Could you put a couple of tracks for storage behind the second side of the layout? That gives you visible layout on both sides of the shed and a fiddle yard. I had 12" high buildings in front of a four track sector plate on an exhibition layout. This meant that the whole layout had visible work...
by Mike_R
Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:56 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls
Replies: 32
Views: 69964

Re: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls

It is definitely easier if you can design the boards to miss turnouts and motors, I have a habit of changing things after the boards are built! My North fork Springs layout has had the yard moved from outside the mainline to inside and then extended under some scenery. That put the turnout across th...
by Mike_R
Thu Dec 10, 2015 10:00 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls
Replies: 32
Views: 69964

Re: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls

Yes the left and middle boards are hinged together. There were several reasons for this, mainly to decrease set up time and reduce the number of connections. There are no connections to make on this join the wires run across the join. The hinges are hidden by a bridge when setup. I've used hinged bo...
by Mike_R
Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:06 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls
Replies: 32
Views: 69964

Re: My First Layout - N Gauge Denesport & Lesley Falls

I can't say invisible, but my preferred method of making joins in my modules are 75mm loose butt hinges. I replace the pins with a length of 4mm diameter brass rod bent at 90º for a handle. I find they are very rigid, realign accurately, cheap and easy to fit (just put the screws in slightly off cen...
by Mike_R
Thu Dec 03, 2015 10:48 pm
Forum: DCC Topics
Topic: Improved power pickups
Replies: 2
Views: 14466

Re: Improved power pickups

I just twist the steel frames a bit to make better contact to the axle boxes.
I do solder wires to the flat plate on top of the trucks to bypass the kingpin contact and to a cut down part of the side to avoid the long top spring of the old locos.
by Mike_R
Tue Nov 17, 2015 11:50 am
Forum: Modular Topics
Topic: 11th Avenue
Replies: 53
Views: 120458

Re: 11th Avenue

Interesting set of products, the bounce would look good on crossing gates. If you use semaphores, well, watch the video!
by Mike_R
Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:12 pm
Forum: Modular Topics
Topic: 11th Avenue
Replies: 53
Views: 120458

Re: 11th Avenue

Conrad Motors Where can I buy these from? Unfortunately they are no longer made, typical, you find a source of reasonably priced switch motors and they stop producing them a few months later. I may try servos for future layouts. Until the Conrads I used Fulgurex, between Conrad and Tortoise for pri...
by Mike_R
Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:45 pm
Forum: Modular Topics
Topic: 23rd Street
Replies: 49
Views: 103009

Re: 23rd Street

The layout ran for the first time on Saturday, as there were no complains and I didn't see any derailments, I have to call it a success. The block detector worked correctly picking up trains running through it, I still have to fit infrared detectors at the siding switches to pickup non resistor fitt...
by Mike_R
Sat Aug 15, 2015 9:11 pm
Forum: Modular Topics
Topic: 23rd Street
Replies: 49
Views: 103009

Re: 23rd Street

I'm nearing the end of getting 23rd Street up and running. The mainline on the corner is super-elevated, which means the curved turnout has to canted as well. To support it I built up the trackbed with card strips. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm127/mikeruby_photos/23rd%20Street/23rd%20Street%...
by Mike_R
Sun Aug 02, 2015 8:48 pm
Forum: Modular Topics
Topic: 23rd Street
Replies: 49
Views: 103009

Re: 23rd Street

I'm now on the third board. The track is laid and dropper wires soldered on ready to turn on it's side to connect up. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm127/mikeruby_photos/23rd%20Street/23rd%20Street%2002-08-15_zps4nwycgc9.jpg The gondola is on the team track and the centre beam on yard track 2. ...
by Mike_R
Sat Aug 01, 2015 8:03 pm
Forum: Modular Topics
Topic: 23rd Street
Replies: 49
Views: 103009

Re: 23rd Street

Power at last! Wiring on the first two boards is complete, here is a view of the underside. The Conrad switch motors can be seen, with 6 way connector blocks for each one. A pair of Lenz LS150 decoders power the motors. The big PCB at top left is an 8 way block detector, I've put block detection in ...
by Mike_R
Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:28 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: GN Spokane Division
Replies: 20
Views: 52266

Re: GN Spokane Division

Is it getting addictive now? I slowed down after running out of different views to take. With a new module on the way, beware!
Another well shot video.
by Mike_R
Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:32 pm
Forum: Modular Topics
Topic: 23rd Street
Replies: 49
Views: 103009

Re: 23rd Street

One advantage of a portable layout is that it can be turned on end to work on. I've fitted the switch motors. Six on this board and another six on the one behind. http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm127/mikeruby_photos/23rd%20Street/23rd%20Street%2027-07-15_zpsouuzu2ue.jpg To check they work I have...
by Mike_R
Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:14 pm
Forum: My Layout
Topic: GN Spokane Division
Replies: 20
Views: 52266

Re: GN Spokane Division

A great start for your first video. It is in focus, many people don't manage that even after several videos.
I wait for more!