I've finally decided on a name for my new layout it will be called Canningvale "unless i change my mind" not very inspiring i know but its were i live and it sounds sort of english there is two stations one will be Canning Town and the other Canning bridge its going to be mostly an urban setting around the 1940s on an imaginary location on the LMS side of things. I have spent the last couple of weeks starting to lay some track this is taking a while as I'm using a mixture of peco and hand built track as I brought a lot of track with me from my last layout that never got finished, when I think about it I have never even come close to finishing a layout right from when I started this fantastic if not time consuming and now expensive hobby when it was introduced to me by a Christmas train set my dad bought me when I was about 8, i digress but that's about it for now I will include some pictures please let me know what you think and if you spot any blunders. Thanks Andy
Hey .... no blunders there. It looks fantastic. very clean well executed baseboards which is the cornerstone to any good layout. The track laying is spot on as well. What are you running it with. DC or DCC ? are you wiring as you go or will you be laying all the track first ? cheers toto PS ..... photos edited for you.
Thanks Toto I'm still undecided but I think it will probably be DDC i need to take the plunge as I've only ever used DC in the past have looking at the NEC system its supposed to be quite novice friendly and not to expensive. I've been adding droppers on each section of track as I've layed it and modified the points too. Slow going but hopefully worth it in the end
I'd say that you are doing the right thing with the droppers. Saves a mass exercise later on. how many loco's do you think you will actually be running at any one time ? The reason I ask is that there are two NCE systems. The power cab and the power pro. The former is about £ 145.00 and will easily run 4 or 5 loco's at the one time. The only thing that may effect that would be if all your loco's had sound installed then they will draw more power. The power pro gives a more powerful 5 amp powerhouse which will let you run significantly more but will cost you over double the cost at around £350.00 ish. It does have other advantages like for instance more loco addresses and the ability to take a booster giving another 5 amps should your layout grow. I'd suggest looking both up on the NCE website and do a comparison of the two specifications and see which one best suits your long term plans for your layout. There are many NCE users on here so feel free to come back with any more questions. I'd look at the NCE website first and come back for clarification and further discussion as you are getting your head around it. I have both systems and can vouch for them both. keep us up to date with your progress. it looks like a great project. cheers toto
Well there's two main loops plus one out and back loop plus shunting in the two stations so probably a maximum of 5 locos at the most that is with the layout complete . Will definitely have a look on there website before spending my hard earned cash.... Cheers Andy
Yep ...... a good move. Going on what you say so far, the power cab would probably serve you well enough. A few more key decisions thyat I would at least be thinking about is how you intend to operate your points ...... through your handset or independent of it. same with accessories, lighting and any other gizzmos that you may want further down the line. This may sway your decision now and prevent spending more later on. We have all been there. there are some pretty nifty add ons and control systems that can be integrated into your layout when using NCE products so dont rush in. Ask as many questions as you like. thats what the forum is all about. cheers toto
I'm thinking servos and megapoints controllers or similar for the points but probably on a control panel the same with lighting and anything else I can dream up will definitely have to do more research first
I've heard of the megapoints controllers but never used them as yet. I use slow motion point motors ( Cobalts ) same idea as tortoises. I also use switch8 units which are in effect decoders which you programme with turnout ID numbers. Everybody has their own preference for this. its all about what suits you. I am sure there will be others that will offer up their knowledge and experience of the megapoint version. ( possibly Redpiperbob may be your man there from memory ). Lighting on my layout will be via a separate " accessory BUS " fed via a separate power supply. Dont know where I will locate the switches yet. Not that well organised. toto
Your woodworking skills look good! You can buy the NCE Power cab to start you off, the advantage of NCE is that if you decide later to upgrade to a 5A system, the procab is still valid and not a waste of money, as 1. you can use it as a procab controller and 2. its handy for the bench or permanent test/programming track! (Procabs are not much less than a powercab!) I have Megapoints and can recommend them (how will you attach servo's to your points?) although I may one day go over to Arduino servo control. You can also connect Megapoints to the DCC and control them or switches or a Megapoints mimic panel.
I was thinking of using ally channel to fix the servos underneath or if I get any problems the odd one might have to go on top then hidden in some kind of lineside structure. I think I've pretty much decided on the NCE as it seems to be novice friendly as this is my first venture into DCC. I also looked at the arduino it just seems that with megapoint controllers its pretty much plug and play
Your right, Arduino would mean you have to pick up programming and probably do a little soldering, whereas Megapoints are Plug n Play. If you have insulfrog points, then the following is mute. Check out my thread for brackets or look into MERG for the addition of micro switches, else you will need extra Megapoints to drive relays, if you want live frogs. The alternative is to use frog juicers.
Little more progress got to make a couple of site specific points well one point and a curved crossing for the station throat so that will take a few evenings .thanks Timbersurf the brackets look good I will have to see what I can find in Bunnings I've only got electrofrog points mixed with my hand built ones I've looked at frog juicers and the way it's going I will have to start making some decisions soon perhaps a bit of experimenting is in order Andy
Coming along nicely Andy. If you want to try out the NCE system there are a few of us locally that use them and your more than welcome to come and have a play using one. Kim
Hi just a quick update I suddenly realised what a mess I was working in so a quick tidy up was in order with the help of a couple of filling cabinets that happened my way. Wonder how long it will stay tidy Cheers all Andy