Trackwork
PASSIVE BRAKES
to all....i knew when i started this layout that i would have problems with spotting cars at industries because all my industries are on grades.
i have asked for help i have received a ton of info back from other modelers on "how to" install a braking system for industries. they are all great ideas but involved an extra amount of work & materials. yesterday, a good friend of mine emailed me a simple solution. materials i would need are things i already have. they are; an old paint brush & CA cement.
A portable display layout.. part 5
You know that point where you get done to the point that the rest of it just seems to go into overdrive?
Yeah, normally me neither.
But this time... about two days ago I looked at the layout and pretty much went, hey, this is finished enough to show!
PC Ties Supply
Question: Where can I get pc board ties?
My LHS has had them on order for what seems like months. http://www.handlaidtrack.com/ seams like the 1/16th in. switch ties have been on perpetual back order (they do have 1/32 in.). So, is there another place to get them?
Painting Turnouts
Fellow MRH Readers,
I make all my turnouts using Fasttracks turnout jigs. Instead of gluing the ties to the bottom of the rails however as FastTracks suggests, I glue my turnout ties to a sheet of paper. That lets me place my ties on the cork roadbed, then locate the completed switch over the ties, which is held down then with Walthers code 83 spikes through the ties. This system works great. The turnouts are somewhat free floating, and removable if I need to replace or repair them later on.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to track-laying we go!
Wednesday afternoon and thursday were family time - eating, playing, eating more. Friday I had to work (!) but managed to watch my LSU Tigers win against Arkansas, going 10-2 for the year and retaining the coveted Boot trophy. Sadly, Auburn didn't help me out on Saturday, loosing embarrassingly to Alabama. So now I have to lean on Georgia (bleh) in hope of a Sugar Bowl bid with Bama down in flames.
So Saturday before football I got several major jobs done off the Honey Do List, which meant I could do some serious track laying on Sunday.
Testing, testing...
I know I am pretty slow at getting my modules built, but I have a lot of distractions. This week I managed to get my Inglenook wired up with an Anderson connector so I can just leave the FreeMoN cable hooked up to the Zephyr and plug it in. My sweetie also bought me an early Christmas present, this nifty little hobby cart.
So we spent a couple of hours putting it together and loading the drawers with tools and stuff.
A portable display layout.. part 3
Okay, the "Portable Display Layout" now has a name - the Lone Hill Park RR.
Once I decided to build a portable layout like this, I also decided that I was going to use it to do a few things I've not done before - such as making a major terrain feature out of foam and Celluclay.
I've used Sculptomold before but have been told that Celluclay is superior - it does appear to be more fine grained a product. However, I've also discovered that at around 65-69deg F. it also takes forever to dry/cure.
Switch Machine Set Up for NCE-DCC Layout
Part I is about setting up and programing decoder to run switch machine on a NCE-DCC system. Use of terminal strip applies to all layouts DC- or DCC. Part II will deal with the physical part of the installation.
Crossing at Grade
I am getting to the point in my layout out where two industrial spurs are to cross the mainline (such as it is) at grade. The main is curved (26" radius) and each spur crosses at a different angle, neither of which (as far as I can tell) is available in a commercially made crossing.
I'm wondering...
How difficult would it be to hand lay these crossings?
and
How are they set up electrically so that there are no shorts?
Thanks in advance for any and all info and suggestions
George
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