Hello all. I'm finally getting going on my layout after a lot looking around and nearly loosing interest. I went through about 3 layout designs before deciding to settle on a more simple, modified amherst layout. I still havn't decided what type of scenery I want to do. The bottom side will give me the option to add other HCD layouts that I may build in the future. I'm going to be running it with a DCC system. The yard section turnouts will be manually switched. I'm having trouble figuring out where I should put the power feeders so that I won't have dead spots around the turnouts. I would love the input. Thanks
It's Unitrack. Track power feeds every 3-4 sections would be more then enough. The turnouts are power feeding...whichever direction the switch is routed will be feed from the point rails. My THERR has been running flawlessly this way for 8+years ! Just for a reference....my hanging HCD layout only had ONE power feed for rhe whole thing.
Very nice layout. I hope to something similar with two or three door modules. We will see where this goes. I'm having fun with it. It'll get better once Everything is up and running.
Is that Unitrack double crossover power routing? I recall there being gaps in all routes. If so, you'll want to have power feeds on both sides of it.
From what I understand, the double crossover is not power routing. I'm going to be having feeder wires on both ends.
I made some more adjustments to the layout today. I swear, ideas just jump into my head and I go for it. This should be "the last" adjustment. I put all the turnouts to the bottom then moved the one turnout down the line to be able to have a larger yard. I hope this should work. I'll be able to run at least 2 trains on it.
Not sure if your budget or material availability allows it, but I would add about four more inches of extruded foam to that. It will allow for significant added opportunity for scenic details, especially around those bridges. You also might consider adding some bridges to create a greater span. Also, a diagonal panel from top left to bottom right would create a two sided layout with opportunity for backdrops on each side. I had an 8' x 3' Unitrack like that once upon a time, and it was really a nice set up.
Here are some photos of the layout I described. It was never completed and is long gone. Olda by NorsemanJack posted Feb 9, 2020 at 3:41 PM Oldb by NorsemanJack posted Feb 9, 2020 at 3:41 PM Oldg by NorsemanJack posted Feb 9, 2020 at 3:41 PM
I got some more work done on the layout today. I rearranged the track some more so I will be able to run a train in the opposite direction as well. I need some ideas as what I should put in the bridge area. This project is going to be a slow one and it may get parked during the summer months.
great start and it looks like you have a train man too helping . teach them young and it stays with them when there older.
A long time since my last update. Its been a crazy year. I now have time to get some work done. I got a good bit done today. I added another layer of foam, and added risers to one inch on the outside track. I built a frame out of 2x4s and 1x3s so that the door can fit in and the wiring can run underneath without getting pinched. I drilled holes down through for the wires and got the power feeders installed. I'm currently running on DC but I did finally get the NCE powercab, now to get a DCC locomotive.
My tunnel portals and retaining wall came today! I'm planning to build a mountain in that area. The curved tunnels are going to be a bit of a challenge. I have what I want to do in my head, but getting that onto the layout is a different story. My wife and son say building a layout without a tunnel is not an option. But hey, what can I say, its fun to see the train go through a tunnel. Now hopefully it'll take shape and won't look like a pile of poo when I'm done. I'm having fun now that I'm really starting to get into it. Searching pinterest and forums have helped a lot. I hope to get more done this weekend.
Eugene..... Just make sure you have some kind of access to get in that tunnel area...in case of derails. 'Murphys Law' applies heavily to model reailroading. Thinking you can just reach in thru the tunnel portals.....aint gonna happen !!! LOL From my large file of "Lessons Learned"
You are exactly right. It would indeed happen to me. I'm planning to have an access port in the backdrop.
Been there, done that, wont do it again. My access portal in my small layout seemed like a good idea, it looked good when the little door was shut but when it came to recovering a car or cleaning the tracks... . I would suggest a removable mountain or what ever terrain you are building. Locate it with dowels so that it will always land in the same location and hide the seam with trees or other scenery. My next tunnel will be a convertible!
I second that, also from experience. I'll acknowledge that the access port on the side and the little hatch in the mountain on my layout are usually sufficient for me to rerail or retrieve cars, but it makes cleaning track in their impossible (although it's all Kato, so it rarely needed cleaning anyway). I'm plotting to rebuild it as a removable mountain.
mine was Kato too, but due to the air currents in the house the air from the kitchen goes right into where the layout is kept, which gets the rails dirty even when not used. I had to clean my rails all the time.
