Main Layout – Points Testing & Incline Tests

Posted on September 18, 2015 by Mike

When designing the new layout I had planned for inclines on the main running loops, however thinking back to the test layout and all the problems I had there, I thought I had better do some testing to make sure it would be reliable. One thing I really don’t want is to have constant derailments and not be able to run a train without lots of frustration, that is an easy way to loose interest or loose the fun from a layout.

In this first video I’m using my Athearn GP60 with a mix of passenger and freight cars of different lengths, running at different speeds to test out the new points. These are large radius electrofrog points from Peco. The idea here is to use a train with a tighter radius limit to make sure there wont be any issues switching tracks later on when the track is fixed down.

This train combination should give me a nice mix to cover most situations – these are deliberately the more fussy cars to try to find issues quickly.

In this second video I’m testing various trains up and down an extended 4% incline set from Woodland Scienics. The ‘extended’ part means I have added in some level sections at 2 inches high to try to make the grade a little easier.

During the tests one of the trains split and a short recovery operation started.

First – Lima HST, DCC fitted, lights from Express Models and cab interior from Hornby spares.
@00:36 – Athearn Genesis EMD SDP45 with Tsunami sound and Athearn SD40 in Southern Pacific livery & recovery operation.
@10:30 – Hornby EWS Class 90, DCC fitted and lights from Express Models.
@12:00 – Hornby East Midlands Trains HST.
@15:40 – Athearn SP GP60 in Southern Pacific livery (DC).

In addition to the trains in the video, a Lima class 66 was tested and failed to make the incline with a train even with a full run up at full speed.
The pair of bachmann class 20s off in the siding in the video also made the incline without issue.

From these tests, I think its better to have the main line on a flat level without any changes in grade, although most of the newer trains have no issues, older trains have problems and that inclines in general tend to be problematic. One issue I noticed right from the start is that the track tends to lift on the corners, making one rail higher than the other. I want this layout to be reliable and as trouble free as I can, therefore the mainline is going to be flat, and I’ll create another line on a higher level which will be more varied. This gives me something interesting while still having a reliable main line, at least that is the idea.

Please feel free to share any comments or experience you may have with inclines and gradients you may have, as I’m interested in what others have done or had issues with.

Weekend Engineering 2 & Trains Running

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Mike

Another layout update, mainly track changes to fix some issues and to make it a little more interesting. The original plan had three running loops which all followed the same route, I want to break that up a bit and have the third take a different route. Not so many pictures this time as it looks basically the same but with some track removed. First video is the second episode and the layout update in detail. The second is the running session after.

[Show as slideshow]

Main Layout – Track Testing & Trains Running 1

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Mike

With the track down, time for some very basic testing. I used my old Lima class 66 and a Lima class 156 Super Sprinter, both running in DC. First issue I encountered was not really a surprise, but not having a way to get between all 3 tracks was a bit a pain for testing, so I used some old short set track points across the 3 lines. These are quite short and tight when curved but I didn’t expect the super sprinter to derail – even when at a crawl. It seems these are just too tight when put back to back, so I’ll need to order some new peco streamline points, I’ll go for the large radius electrofrog and eventually put them near the station.

[Show as slideshow]

No major problems at this stage from the track tests, but this is just flat level and all new track. I’m expecting the real issues to happen later when inclines are added. I do also need to test my US HO locos and trains as the curves might be an issue for some of them. As the initial track worked ok, I decided to run some more trains for a bit. Videos are below.

Starting the main layout & Weekend Engineering Episode 1

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Mike

With some good testing, and a lot of learning from the test layout and its problems, I’m now anxious to start on the real thing. That of course means I need more space. For this I have two options, one is to convert the loft space and build in there and the other is to use an old storage area. The loft is much bigger, but its going to cost a lot to convert it and that will take time. I want to make something while I have spare time, but I don’t want to have to re-do everything if I do get the loft sorted out in a year or so. Therefore, I’m going to try to make something partially modular in the currently available space. The first set of pictures shows the new area that I have to work with – its basically an existing bench along one side of the room, it was once used as some sort of office by the previous owner, and we have not really used it for much, except for a previous railway layout or too.

The intention is to build some extension boards to go on top of the existing bench and extend it out, there will be 2 large boards and 1 small board which will fill the gap in the middle. I’ll be using 12mm MDF for the boards with 34mmx34mm pine softwood beams to provide around the edge support, 2 cross-braces and also make the legs. The beams are cut into sections and secured to the MDF with screws from the top down. The beams are then secured together at the corners as well. The legs are positioned inside the support beams in the corners and secured to the beams with screws from the sides. The legs are not secured from the top of the MDF as I want to be able to remove them later without having to disturb the layout on top.

Below are some pictures but in addition I have decided to record a short video and decided to call it ‘Weekend Engineering’, you can now watch my updates to see how it progresses into a layout (hopefully).