Hi All, I haven't had a chance to upload my imgur Gallery up on here yet, Here is the link to my current layout. This is a my second layout i've ever made, I'm making a 5 part modular layout that will have a 6 narrow module for a bridge to complete two full track circuits. I'm basing my layout of some shots of current Port Kembla/BHP steel works, Most of my loco's i've been collecting piratically over the last 5-6 years. Ironworks: - https://imgur.com/a/YL4xWBZ my current small fleet includes: - Eureka C3801 Eureka AD6040 Austrains C3649 Austrains C35 (Not working for some reason) Lima 442 (first NSW loco) Powerlines 44 class (also not working) I have board 1 and 2 tracked and wired up with point motors and some of the work is rough but its all a new experience for me, I have just finished the base board for the third section where ill be putting my fiddle yard. Regards, Wombat.
Great start made there Wombat. Looks like you are up to your eyes in all sorts there. I'll look forward to seeing more as it happens. The NCE controller is a great choice as well. I use NCE myself. Cheers Toto
Great project Wombat, great photos, lots of operating potential, I'm looking forward to seeing how you get on . Cheer's, Pete.
Hey Everyone, a bit of an update on my table, I've completed another section of table and am now working out the final points of where i want everything to go. This is what i'm currently thinking: - this is the new section: - Cheers, Wombat.
Nice bench work and nice models ! I'm just curious.., how long is the head shunt (on the left) for the associated sidings ?? Cheers, Gary.
With that length of head shunt, there would be no way of shunting rolling stock from the lower two sidings unless you were using a X200 Class and four wheel wagons ! One option is to include two curved points into the track plan : Cheers, Gary.
Gary, On my wish list at the moment is to get a X200 for shunting as well as a C30 class, I like the design suggestion you have made, I think i will need to push up on getting my turn table to ensure that it fits on the board (as it will be on left of the image next to the end of the sidings, I may end up going for a smaller turn table and just put up with not being able to turn my AD60 around as it needs a HUGE turntable. Wombat.
From one who has struck the problem, forget about a turntable for your AD60. They are just too big and even in he real world, there were very few facilities capable of housing them. I have two on my Dargan layout and they look great as double headers with a rake of BCHs in tow, That is what they were meant for. That said, I am really impressed with your design and particularly the bench work structural support. That ensures you will not encounter problems in the future as things shrink and twist with age. The old parts of my Dargan need ongoing maintenance to keep things level, etc. But the two extensions to Dargan with structural support similar to what you have created have been totally trouble free. Are you thinking of migrating to DCC in the future? Regardless of that, as this is only your second shot at the dark side of electrical continuity, have you incorporated a serial bus to provide current to every section of track, including the intermediate turnouts? Very easy to do now but a rotten job later. Just look at Dargan and ask my aching back! Best of luck as you progress and continue to enjoy our hobby. Regards and happy modelling Richard
Gary, I have not had any issues with it traversing these points, There was one point when i did the first few test runs (i tested her on the points first before i placed them down and a little bit of detail on the kit had popped off and was causing derailment. Fixed that and now it runs a treat Wombat.
Hi Richard, Thanks for the kind words, Re your DCC question, I am currently running a hybrid (?) where everything on the layout is running DCC and I am using DC power to throw points only (couldn't get my head around setting them up for DCC I also like the feeling of throwing point switches )). I am running a bus underneath the two circuit tracks and putting feeders at the start and end of each section, I will also be putting feeders into the yards and workshops for power. Will take a peak at your layout once i get most of today's work done Regards, Wombat
Hi Wombat Again sounding familiar as I also use separate power to throw the point motors. Forgot to ask you if you have included circuit breakers in the wiring. I have divided my layout into four sections each with an NCE EB1. Certainly protects things and makes it fairly easy to identify the location of any problems.\\Cheers and happy modelling Richard
I'm running the power currently off a 4 port power-board (with surge protection) however this is only ever a temporary solution, How hard are these to wire up? Wombat.
The NCE EB-1 Circuit Breakers are easily wired. The EB-1 come with full instructions and wiring diagram. This short video is a good explanation of how to wire them in : Cheers, Gary.
They are also very flexible and you can set the operating amperage from factory default of 2.5 amps in steps up to 8 amps. Mine were operating on 2.5 amps quite ok until I finally got my Auscision 48s and started triple heading them as per branch line wheat trains. Had to increase the amperage up to 3.5 amps and solved the tripping issue, which strangely was occurring only on one breaker. Have yet to try other triple headers so the amperage draw may be just for the Auscision 48s. Cheers Richard
my only Loco running issue right now is the newish (both new in box as gifts make engine makes a noise but no movement) 35 and 44 that just don't want to move as i'm not confident with my ability to dismantle them and check the internal workings not sure whom to take it to. Wombat.
Have you reset the decoders? The Austrains 35 has a QSI decoder and they are my least desired decoders and can be a bit tricky. I am not familiar with a Powerline 44. Are you sure it is not a Trainorama or early Lima? Cheers Richard