Adding a return loop to your layout increases operational flexibility, but can create electrical problems for the uninitiated. Howard Smith solves the puzzle...
Connect with me at [email protected] the Channel on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/diyanddigitalrailroadAmazon Store - https://www.amazon.com...
Hi All, I’m at it again this year. No more shoveling snow (and hopefully very little coal.) I’m still a lone wolf so far with my layout and until it’s a little farther along will remain so. I did have two non-model railroaders running in the cellar this summer. What a good way to turn up a few more problems! Two falls ago I put out a topic asking for people who wouldn’t mind having a visitor stop and see and maybe run on a club layout. https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/club-layout-posting-12208268 The response was very good. Last winter’s visits were a major fun time. A side prize was that I was also taken to some local layouts to see some very fine modeling also! I will look forward to revisiting my new friends from last year and making new friends this year. This blog will be about my experiences and thoughts on the road this winter. Something I learned in flying was to recognize an airport and how to work myself onto the ground at that airport. I have only been at one other operating session. I was the engineer and was guided by my conductor. Layouts can be quite complex.... Being an engineer and a vacuum cleaner for details is both relaxing and to a certain degree not relaxing. Let me explain. It’s like an engineer from another railroad working on “your” railroad or division. You’re not expected to know the road, switches, towns, speeds and other subtitles. That’s why you have to have a home railroad conductor or engineer with you. Same on big and scale gauges. The trick today was to realize that I was handed an Digitrax dual throttle. My home layout is NCE. It took a little time just to learn which knobs and buttons did what. I was glad the conductor explained what he was doing when he acquired the locomotives for my train. I hope to become a little more proficient with other systems as time goes on. Do they give “difference training” in locomotives? They certainly do in small airplanes and you have to be type rated in bigger airplanes. On the ground for a moment... Thanks to my conductor we made efficient moves and went the full route across the layout without being on the ground once and even found a car that was misplaced on our train. We fixed the misplaced car and I am still smiling. On my first operating session this year I got a bath of fire! Here’s a throttle and a switch list, go to it (alone!) I only stole a half a dozen cars from a yard and didn’t “place” cars in the train for the next session. Fortunately the 1:1 sky hook bailed me out at the end of the session and I was invited back. Whew!!! I’ve been reading the posts about train speeds and operating procedures etc. It’s my humble opinion that when I’m in Rome I hope I can keep up with the Gladiators. When I find the Gladiators are out to have fun I can too. When I’m at home alone, I can beat myself to a bloody pulp for speeding or misalignment of a switch. Another thing that has become very apparent is that a layout or my layout can run perfectly for years until someone new comes into the room. Need I say anymore? Now I’d like to leave you with some glimpses of the larger memories I will carry with me from today. (In the next post...) Nick
Work in Progress of a train yard. Locomotive is a model by stone-heap.com
This On30 train layout is for the purpose of talking it to shows and hopefully spark enthusiasm for model railroading in future generations.
Download this free PDF to explore the detailed illustrations for assembling Lionel’s D-27 disappearing train layout.
An outdoor model train display made out of pink XPS foam featuring faux stone rocky terrain, model buildings, and a wooden base and frame.
via YouTube Capture
Overall view of my Lionel toy train layout.
After nine months of planning and constructing and a few thousand dollars my raised train lay-out is finally finished and ready for track. I tend to over...
This is one of the best looking model train layouts with numerous photos and tutorials.
Hello! I just wanted to introduce my actual plan to build my small H0 layout. The basement room (i probably will share with the drum set of my son) is only 12,45' x 9,18' big. I decided to base my plan on the pattern of the "Heart of Georgia" layout plan. The smallest radius used is a little bit under 24". the tightest turnouts are #5. Beside 5 custom turnouts #6 all other turnouts are hand laid and already made and ready for lay down. All curves are made with easements. Operations are one focus, but the continuous run of a train was also a goal to be achived. Another Design paradigm was to keep everthing open. I do not want to handle the additional problems of hidden storages, ramps and multi level designs. (I do have only little time to work on my plan) The layout displays: - a small town with street running scenes and some industries. - two interchanges to appalachian main lines (N&W and Virginian) as these line are assigned to deliver car loads and accepting the coal loads from the Algoma & Wolff Creek Railroad - a rural scene with farm and barn and church - a rural station with a small yard and depot (only for a 0-6-0 shifter and the 4-4-0 engine for the daily workers train to the mines - a coal mine with two loading tracks The longest train which can be passed will be a local freight train consisting of a N&W mountain with thirteen 40' boxcars and a cab (somewhat about 8' train length). The main power of the A&WC RR consists of: 2-8-2 Mikado #14 (ex PRR L1s) purchased 1926 (bowser kit still to be build up and DCC/sound equipped) 2-8-0 Consolidation #10 purchased 1924 (ex N&W Class W2) (vintage kit - kitbashed and DCC/sound equipped) 2-8-0 Consolidation #12 purchased 1920 (Baldwin) (Bachmann only DCC no sound) 0-6-0 Shifter #9 purchased 1904 (yard goat) (brass engine repainted and DCC/sound equipped) 4-4-0 American #8 purchased 1912 (Baldwin modern) (Bachmann DCC/sound) 2-4-2 Atlantic #15 purchased 1918 (Baldwin modern) (brass engine still to be repainted an DCC equipped) Due to the complicated trackage from Algoma WV to Winston Salem through the ridges, the A&WC RR did not survive the depression years. So the time the layout will display is somewhat in the 1922-1928. and here comes the plan itself /sites/model-railroad-hobbyist.com/files/users/scopewime/AWCRR_plan(3).png So... I am interested in your opinions and remarks. Aaaah...concerning the lift out segments on the top edge of the plan. They will be made in order to do paint jobs at the wooden windows there every 4-5 years. The lift out near the lower right corner of the room, will only be removed when bulky things have to be transported in and out of the room. The resulting duck under will be 3'9" high and about 2'5" wide. regards scopewime
This is a new American Flyer 9 X 5 layout. It has three connected loops and the inner loop can be used as a reverse loop. The layout is light and portab...
Works
Wiring of model train layout
Many years ago I wanted to see how many different ways I could add bends, corners, and other changes in the LEGO train track layouts. Without needing to warp, bend, or make smaller filler track sections so the loops would connect.
