Good stuff, Getting on the floor can be really good for bringing back some flexibility into us slightly older humans. At least your floor is not carpet, a massive source of fluff to get into loco gears. My first set-up in the modern age was on the dining table. Trains don't have far to fall when they are already on the floor. Cheers Tony
It really needs new gear and axles. Next time it breaks down. I will fork out and buy new set. Looks like I will have to get them from Peters Spares in England. Phil
Hi Phil. Loved the Marty Monster Video! I agree about fiddling with loco's and getting them running again. There are some bargain 'non runners' out there and so far everyone I've bought bar 1 has been running again after a fiddle and new traction tyres. However work on the actual layout has nearly stopped! Expecting a Class 50 today bought for £10 inc. postage described as mint body non runner. Looking forward to seeing the layout develop
Well, still no shed in sight. Far too many hobbies and not enough time. So have made a 6x4ft baseboard so I can at least run some trains. I have made it in module's, so I can reuse, on final layout. Phil from Australia
Hi Phil nice looking baseboards great idea to use modules it makes each step more achievable.. stick with it your thread is a great read Ian vt Ps I've got a few Triang sets (Flying Scotsman and Maroon Express passenger set and Frieght set I really should get them running.
Started this thread Dec 2017, here we are Aug 2021, and finally have erected the shed, and started the bench work for the layout. It will be a loop around the shed with a branch line. I have used anyrail in the planning stages, but because I have mix of Peco Atlas and Hornby point work its a bit hard to plan out.
Looks good Phil. There is light at the end of that tunnel and now your dream is becoming a reality. Looking forward to updates as you work through the build. What /planning issue do you have with Anyrail 6 ?? It will allow you to play with all those makes of track, no problem. Cheers, Gary.
The main problem is most points are secondhand and most untested. So it will mean going back an forth. Most are tight Hornby points, which I'm now reluctant to use. Not too concerned at this stage. Still setting up bench work and lift bridge. So the plan at this stage is double loop around the shed, with passing loop. Will share my plan once I get a feel for the space. Main focus at this stage is getting the lift bridge built and tested.
I understand. So if you have Hornby set track points, I would recommend that you ditch them in favour of Peco Streamlined, small or medium. You have seen what I had to go through ! Cheers, Gary.
Good advice, have just enough streamline points for a passing loop, crossover and one for the branch line. Then later on raid the piggy bank.
May be worth downloading Peco's track templates, stick them down where you wish to plant a point in the future, then cut a piece of straight track the same length as the template and temporarily insert it over the template. This would allow you to complete most of the layout routes, without having to buy every point required for the layout. Paul
I know you have some points mate but I would highly recommend you fit electrofrogs for reliability, they do require a bit more work to fit but the benefits are way more than the extra work. Cheers, Pete.
If you go down this route, you can use small micro switches (above or below baseboard) or slide switches under the layout to change the polarity of the frog. Cheers, Gary.
At this stage I want to keep things simple. I like the fact that the insulfrog points act as a switch to isolate a train in siding.
Installed the lift bridge. Trackwork install this weekend. Decided to use the the screw and solder method. Hinges have been changed.
You`re really cracking on now Phil.... It won`t be long and trains will be able to do laps of the shed. Gormo
I agree with Gormo, cracking along with the build ! Your bench work looks solid enough to stand the test of time, nice ! Cheers, Gary.