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Hey All,

Well, Dad ended up moving and not being able to use the basement layout you guys helped with.  Now he has a 14 x 20 train house behind his new place and wants a layout.  I posted the first layout and also the newer one so you could see where we were and where we have to get to.

His back is so bad that he only has a 28" reach, so that limits what he can do and there is a bump out on the train house for a desk, so I have to keep the layout away from the chair he will have there. Let me know what can be done with this small space.

Thanks,

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New train house layout
Last edited by Kelpieflyer
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Hey Russell,

Good to hear from you! Phew! What a journey!

I suppose the easiest way to clear the basement was to move.

If you use building flats/fronts along the wall at the top of diagram, you should be able to create some space for trolley. I can also see enough space around the inside edge to have the trolley run from one side to the opposite, perhaps, have a couple of stops in between.

If you want to keep it simple, I would change one of the spurs at 7 o'clock to the opposite direction. The trains would run in opposite directions. I prefer that than looking at two trains racing. Depends on Dad's preferences.

I just went to a redo of my machine and I am still getting things configured. I'll tinker with the plan(s) if you like.

The trolley will be cool. Look at Dallee and Azatrax for some ready to go controllers to make it have starts and stops. Then, create the run. I think from city to country on the inner edge would look the best.

Say Hi to Dad and let him know Moonman was asking.

So, do you actually have the Marx track and switches?

That library is in SCARM due to a layout I was working on for Marx333 in Seattle. he had a load of it and a lot of original switches and transformers. It was a fun learning experience to study the Marx system.

Milen requires manufacturer specifications to add a library, obsolete or not.

Do you have an engine house? If yes, which one?

Kelpieflyer posted:

He has both the track and the switches.  We may use Gargraves for the track, but will definately use the Marx switches so his engines with the wide gear wheels will clear the switch in both directions.  He does not have an engine house yet.  Probably will look for one that will work.

I asked because I have some SCARM engine houses made to correct size and also use RR-Track that has many buildings already made. That could assist in fitment.

The area that looks the best is from 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock when looking at the 2D track plan. There's space to rearrange things a little and squeeze in a small

engine service are with a train shed.

I'll fiddle a little with it and see what I can do. Are you looking for a steamer type with the raised center roof section that ventilated the exhaust  or a diesel type with a flat roof?

Moonman posted:
Kelpieflyer posted:

He has both the track and the switches.  We may use Gargraves for the track, but will definately use the Marx switches so his engines with the wide gear wheels will clear the switch in both directions.  He does not have an engine house yet.  Probably will look for one that will work.

I asked because I have some SCARM engine houses made to correct size and also use RR-Track that has many buildings already made. That could assist in fitment.

The area that looks the best is from 4 o'clock to 8 o'clock when looking at the 2D track plan. There's space to rearrange things a little and squeeze in a small

engine service are with a train shed.

I'll fiddle a little with it and see what I can do. Are you looking for a steamer type with the raised center roof section that ventilated the exhaust  or a diesel type with a flat roof?

I think he wold want one that could be used for both, so probably a steam engine house.

Wonder if I should use a bridge that disconnects completely from the layout, or one that hinges up completely so he can get through.  He really wants to keep the around the wall layout.

When it comes to Mianne Lift Gate remember that your layout height dictates how high the gate will go. My table is 36" and I am six foot and have to dip slightly. If the table had been 42" I could walk straight thru with no problems. Seeing your dad has back problems he most likely will NOT want to bend over for either a lift gate or a LOW Layout table. 42" might be in your plans.

Russell,

Don't over think this bridge thing. It as simple as having a board that lifts up. There are automotive hood/trunk supports and furniture cabinet lid supports that are available to gas assist the lift and hold it when up.

There's a few easy ways to get it done - but they are all the same concept.

here's one example by frizzinbee on his layout - look at the March/April time period.

I have a couple of other styles of hinging bookmarked. They all use a gas cylinder. Some have even used storm door closers, but that seemed clunky and a little crude to me.

One that I liked just made the section terrain the same as the rest of the layout. it doesn't have to be a bridge. They have had lift sections for bars for years. It's not a complicated thing. The gas cylinder takes the weight off the lifting motion and holds it open. 

I would connect the loops at a later date. Right now, there can be two trains and trolley running at once. The 2 trains move in opposite directions. It will look cool. A third train can parked on the passing siding, if that is set up with a power kill. There are accessories to stop and play as well as some service spurs to play with.

What are the ideas for the 5 o'clock corner? Just a woods or forest look?  

I personally would connect the two loops now. It is so much more easier before you attach everything with ballast or what  ever you plan to use to hold the track down. Also if you put two crossovers facing opposite directions ( they do NOT need to be together) it makes running more trains and also doing real operations a lot more fun. You can move the inside to the outside and vice a versa. Remember in real life you do not see GIANT hands coming down to move trains. I try to keep the attitude that once it is on track I want to move it everywhere there is track without touching it again. But it is really about what ever YOU want. IT IS YOU AND YOUR DADS LAYOUT NOT OURS!

Well, the train house is nearly finished on the inside.  Others who said they would help did not, so my wife and I have been using weekends to get it finished up.  Only have a few more trim items to attach.

I placed the layout on the floor to see if anything needs to be tweaked.  Also going to connect the two loops.

Attachments

Images (5)
  • Trainhouse Outside 1~1
  • Trainhouse Outside 2~1
  • Trainhouse Ceiling 1~1
  • Trainhouse Ceiling 3~1
  • Trainhouse Floor Baseboard 2~1
Last edited by Kelpieflyer

As far as lifting or dropping the bridge goes, pnumatic cylinders much like the automotive hatch shocks could be used. It doesn't take much air to use them and they can lift a lot. A small compressor from a car with airbags likely wouldn't even need a tank.  The fine reaction speed is as simple as an adjustable valve similar to that on fish tanks air lines.  (try looking at Bimba cylinders. Try a Parker Store too. Get rebuildable ones if you can).  Low volt control solinoids for pnumatics can be had too. (Mac was my fav, rebuilable)  Pnumatics, various pressure valves, and flow limiting are what gives the better animatronics the lifelike movement characteristics, but with soft stops, etc. (when tuned right anyhow)

  I like pnumatics because they are strong, yet not as destructive as a geared motor might be "worst case".  Same limit switches, etc would apply.  I'd only really consider a stepper motor in place of air. 

Very nice depot.

Kelpieflyer posted:

Well, the train house is nearly finished on the inside.  Others who said they would help did not, so my wife and I have been using weekends to get it finished up.  Only have a few more trim items to attach.

I placed the layout on the floor to see if anything needs to be tweaked.  Also going to connect the two loops.

Wow!  What a journey from the basement of the other house.  Russell, after all of this work on the train house, the layout will be a easy task. I think you'll need an "official" sign for the depot.

I would suggest that you try to fit a "kill" track between the switches that join the two loops. Then, you can still operate two trains conventionally or one train on two loops. Some insulated pins, a short cut of straight and a toggle switch would do it.

Thanks for the input on the layout.  Carl,  can you elaborate on the kill switch you are talking about?  He has a Lionel transformer that operates up to 4 different circuits. I have been trying to figure out how to do the switch thing between loops and cant seem to put my head around it.  We will need to have the loops operate separately, which is easy enough, but operating with the loops connected with a smooth transition between loops seems to be more complicated.

Adriatic,  I like the idea of the pneumatics, I'l have to explore that further.

Kelpieflyer posted:

Thanks for the input on the layout.  Carl,  can you elaborate on the kill switch you are talking about?  He has a Lionel transformer that operates up to 4 different circuits. I have been trying to figure out how to do the switch thing between loops and cant seem to put my head around it.  We will need to have the loops operate separately, which is easy enough, but operating with the loops connected with a smooth transition between loops seems to be more complicated.

Adriatic,  I like the idea of the pneumatics, I'l have to explore that further.

Do you plain to run long freight trains?When I say long I mean 25 to 35 boxcars.

Kelpieflyer posted:

Thanks for the input on the layout.  Carl,  can you elaborate on the kill switch you are talking about?  He has a Lionel transformer that operates up to 4 different circuits. I have been trying to figure out how to do the switch thing between loops and cant seem to put my head around it.  We will need to have the loops operate separately, which is easy enough, but operating with the loops connected with a smooth transition between loops seems to be more complicated.

Adriatic,  I like the idea of the pneumatics, I'l have to explore that further.

Ok, transformer channel 1 operates the outside loop. Transformer channel 2 operates the inside loop. Channel 3 is trolley.  Channel 4 is Accessory power fixed voltage.

The two loops are isolated by cutting a small piece of track, say 3", to place between the switches for the crossover. A Plastic O27 pin is used in one end of the small straight, on the inside loop side.

Now the power does not pass between the two loops, permitting two train operation with separate handles.

A simple toggle switch (On/Off) is used. A wire from Transformer Channel 1 is connected to one pole and the other pole is connected to loop 2 center rail.

For Transformer channel 1 to operate 1 train on both loops, Channel 2 is moved to zero and the switch is placed in the On position. Now Channel 1 controls the entire layout.

It would also be helpful to have kill switches for the passing siding and the two spur sidings to provide a place to park a train and engines and not have them run.

I could create some diagrams if that would be helpful.

 

Last edited by Moonman

Carl,

THanks for the explanation.  I'll go with that and when I get to wiring, I'll likely need more help.  Dad is going to order Mianne benchwork. We are going to go with 3/4 plywood with homasote glued to it. Track will be attached to the homosote.

Seaboard, I doubt Dad will have that many cars on at once.  Probably 10-15 at the most.

Carl,

THanks for the explanation.  I'll go with that and when I get to wiring, I'll likely need more help.  Dad is going to order Mianne benchwork. We are going to go with 3/4 plywood with homasote glued to it. Track will be attached to the homosote.

Seaboard, I doubt Dad will have that many cars on at once.  Probably 10-15 at the most.

Kelpieflyer posted:

Mike,

I like the pneumatic bridge.  I'd love to get the info on it as I think Dad would like to use it.

Thanks,

Russell, shot me an email and let me know what information you would like. I have sent it on to another forum member getting mianne bench work to use with it, he sent it on to Mianne so they could hel with the build.

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