Started a new layout

n&wsteamfan Oct 29, 2013

  1. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    This is my first Z scale layout. I would appreciate any input you guys have to offer. I am modeling the West Virginia and southern Ohio regions of the n&w and b&o railroad. There will be mountains, tunnels, a train yard with roundhouse and turntable, a coal mine, a small town and of course the ohio river :)

    i have a YouTube video of the first trial run.

    [video=youtube_share;F2f5ueGEUS0]http://youtu.be/F2f5ueGEUS0[/video]
     
  2. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    May we have a track plan? ;)

    Dom
     
  3. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    Lol well I don't really have one. I just sorta put it all together and hoped for the best.
     
  4. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    Cool, keep posting your progress.
     
  5. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    nice use of figure 8 will watch progress with interest.
     
  6. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks everyone. I've done a little more to the layout. I'm trying to decide how I want to finish the upper section. I want to be able to move the set so I can take it to the train show.
     
  7. zscaler

    zscaler TrainBoard Member

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    Dogbone it. run lower section on outside with higher part in the middle.
     
  8. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    Here us an update and final outer loop design.

    [video=youtube_share;fpSk4mA0CdM]http://youtu.be/fpSk4mA0CdM[/video]
     
  9. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    No turnouts in sight... Any in the hidden areas?

    Dom
     
  10. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Those hidden areas concern me a bit. Is there access to the hidden track?
     
  11. Tred

    Tred TrainBoard Member

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    Over all, it looks pretty good. But I would slow that train down a bit. It looks like its on steroids! LOL
     
  12. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    Yes. I have the mountain made so the track isn't covered in the back. It isn't visible because I have a piece of Masonite as a back drop so if I ever need to get in there it's as simple as a couple screws.
     
  13. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    Lol. That's as slow as it goes with the transformer I have.
     
  14. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, they haven't arrived from Anthony yet. There will be several total going to the mine, train yard and a siding on the upper section.
     
  15. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    OK.. ;)

    Dom
     
  16. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sounds like you have a power pack that is not designed for Z scale locos. Make sure you don't apply more power than about 9 volts to the locos or you will burn them out.
     
  17. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks. I wasn't aware of that! I did some research and ordered a mrc voltage reducer. That should make for safe operation. I use a mrc tech 2 transformer. Do you think 1 reducer is enough? It drops it by 4 volts.
     
  18. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    I dug out my old mrc tech 2 that has a variable throttle. Starts at 0 and goes to 14vdc. I put a multimeter on the it and measured up to 10 volts. The train runs much slower and looks 10x better going around the track.
     
  19. Z_thek

    Z_thek TrainBoard Member

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    It still could fry your locomotives, because of the low frequency pulse, that works with larger scales, but kills Z-scale motors, especially coreless types. There are Z friendly controllers with high frequency pulses, similar to DCC.
     
  20. n&wsteamfan

    n&wsteamfan TrainBoard Member

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    What do I need to get?
     

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