The layout I made from The Box
- Thread starter kettlestack
- Start date
The other bit of wiring
This is the control panel for the layout. It gets connected to the layout via a VCR "SCART" connector.
Just for good measure I decided to fit the Chicago International deisel sound card on it which feeds a hi-fi speaker.
The other tiny circuit board is the Capacitor Discharge Unit for turnouts.
The red buttons on the storage tracks automatically selects the correct turnout direction via a diode matrix. This reduces the number of wires from the panel to the layout.
All in all, it is early days in the evolution of this layout and I hope it turns out as good as how I visualise it.
Errol
This is the control panel for the layout. It gets connected to the layout via a VCR "SCART" connector.
Just for good measure I decided to fit the Chicago International deisel sound card on it which feeds a hi-fi speaker.
The other tiny circuit board is the Capacitor Discharge Unit for turnouts.
The red buttons on the storage tracks automatically selects the correct turnout direction via a diode matrix. This reduces the number of wires from the panel to the layout.
All in all, it is early days in the evolution of this layout and I hope it turns out as good as how I visualise it.
Errol
Attachments
C
Catt
Errol,I like it.I think I'll swipe your plan for the almost 2' by not quite 6' table I created from an old fold up HO layout.
Cat,
I've been chewing over layout plans for heavens knows how long then decided to use what timber I had available and not buy anymore.
I decided on this for several reasons....
1) I enjoy seeing trains run.
2) I like more than one train on a layout.
3) I like switching ..... The switching puzzle in MR Feb '92 pp114 uses these spurs and a 4 car + caboose needs 35 moves!! to set out the 4 and pick up 4.
and finally...
4) I get an operational layout in such a tiny space.
Even with the 9 3/4" radious ends all my sd's and 2-8-0's are happy in both directions on all parts of the layout.
I made a mistake in my 1st thread... the dimensions are 2ft x 5' 6"
I use Atlas #6 turnouts (except for 2 #4's) and Peco flex track for the rest of it.
I've already started scenery but not enough to photograph (yet
)
If you do decide to go with this one I can maybe help you with the diode matrix layout and CDU circuit.
Errol
I've been chewing over layout plans for heavens knows how long then decided to use what timber I had available and not buy anymore.
I decided on this for several reasons....
1) I enjoy seeing trains run.
2) I like more than one train on a layout.
3) I like switching ..... The switching puzzle in MR Feb '92 pp114 uses these spurs and a 4 car + caboose needs 35 moves!! to set out the 4 and pick up 4.
and finally...
4) I get an operational layout in such a tiny space.
Even with the 9 3/4" radious ends all my sd's and 2-8-0's are happy in both directions on all parts of the layout.
I made a mistake in my 1st thread... the dimensions are 2ft x 5' 6"
I use Atlas #6 turnouts (except for 2 #4's) and Peco flex track for the rest of it.
I've already started scenery but not enough to photograph (yet
)If you do decide to go with this one I can maybe help you with the diode matrix layout and CDU circuit.
Errol
Errol,
It looks like the "box" was well utilized here. Nice looking layout for a small space. We will be watching for progress photos.
It looks like the "box" was well utilized here. Nice looking layout for a small space. We will be watching for progress photos.
Nice!
Love that backdrop! Where'd it come from? Please post your progress. Looking forward to following along.
Love that backdrop! Where'd it come from? Please post your progress. Looking forward to following along.
Thanks for your comments guys, I felt I just had to stop thoerising and start "doing".
Ty, there simply isn't space for scenery at the rear. These tracks are really just for holding trainsso as to add variety to operations.
Steve, the backdrop is simply Walthers "Instant Horizons" #'s 949-702 and 949-701. (I'm partial to tall timber / mountain territory).
Matt, I will shortly be concealing the transition between front & rear areas of this layout. It will be similar to your tunnel/road suggestion in your thread but instead of a road I will have a railroad track just so I can use my old timber station I posted in the recent scratching/bashing contest.
Errol
Ty, there simply isn't space for scenery at the rear. These tracks are really just for holding trainsso as to add variety to operations.
Steve, the backdrop is simply Walthers "Instant Horizons" #'s 949-702 and 949-701. (I'm partial to tall timber / mountain territory).
Matt, I will shortly be concealing the transition between front & rear areas of this layout. It will be similar to your tunnel/road suggestion in your thread but instead of a road I will have a railroad track just so I can use my old timber station I posted in the recent scratching/bashing contest.
Errol
Errol,
Nice simple plan, can't wait to see buildings and scenery!
Only concern is that the layout, being built from the box, will clone itself with the same proficiency as the box did!
Pete
Nice simple plan, can't wait to see buildings and scenery!
Only concern is that the layout, being built from the box, will clone itself with the same proficiency as the box did!
Pete
Errol,
Hey, that looks GREAT so far!
I like the pleasing curve in the tracks at the front (rather than the usual more obvious but less interesting "straight" yard).
Keep us posted with progress.
Gavin
Hey, that looks GREAT so far!
I like the pleasing curve in the tracks at the front (rather than the usual more obvious but less interesting "straight" yard).
Keep us posted with progress.
Gavin
Great Job!!
Wow, Errol!
I've been out of town for a few days, & I've been browsing through all the new posts (4 pages of 'em!), & all of a sudden, I see this new N scale layout you've started...& a very nice start it is!
The track plan looks interesting...I like the way the oval is kind of set at an angle...the backdrop looks really cool too! Can't wait to see some scenery in front of it!
Great job on the wiring! I wish I had the knack for that kind of thing, like you, & some of these other guys do!
Looking forward to watching your progress on this one!
Wow, Errol!
I've been out of town for a few days, & I've been browsing through all the new posts (4 pages of 'em!), & all of a sudden, I see this new N scale layout you've started...& a very nice start it is!
The track plan looks interesting...I like the way the oval is kind of set at an angle...the backdrop looks really cool too! Can't wait to see some scenery in front of it!
Great job on the wiring! I wish I had the knack for that kind of thing, like you, & some of these other guys do!
Looking forward to watching your progress on this one!
Start of scenery
I made "The Hill" as a matrix of eggbox style profiles, stuffed the gaps with newspaper then put down the surface using Sculptamold. It will be covered with "Pollyfiller" plaster as plaster carves and takes colour better.
Most of the time taken was fitting the lighting and signal wiring.
I'm not looking forward to making heaps more trees though!
Errol
I made "The Hill" as a matrix of eggbox style profiles, stuffed the gaps with newspaper then put down the surface using Sculptamold. It will be covered with "Pollyfiller" plaster as plaster carves and takes colour better.
Most of the time taken was fitting the lighting and signal wiring.
I'm not looking forward to making heaps more trees though!
Errol
Attachments
Hi Errol!
It looks like everything is shaping up VERY nicely!
It looks like this is going to be a great home for all those wonderful structures you build!
I've got the "tree factory" up & running here, too... (Icould show you a picture, if I had a CAMERA that was up & running!
)
I'm trying to get that Appalachian look, like Tyson has on his NM RR...
He's been giving me a few ideas & some moral support!
It looks like everything is shaping up VERY nicely!
It looks like this is going to be a great home for all those wonderful structures you build!
I've got the "tree factory" up & running here, too... (Icould show you a picture, if I had a CAMERA that was up & running!
)I'm trying to get that Appalachian look, like Tyson has on his NM RR...
He's been giving me a few ideas & some moral support!
Added colour and texture
Well, I've managed to get a bit more done.
I didn't realise how many trees I had so progress has been faster than I thought. Out of the 9sq ft to have scenery only 2 1/5 sq feet have been done. I'm going for effect at present (detail comes later)
All ground cover is Woodlands Scenics stuff. The crossbucks and signals are Model Power running off 9 volts. This 9 volts is reduced with a simple regulator chip to 6 volts for interior lighting.
Matt, your "We Fix Anything Mechanical" machine shop is now located in the Rockies!
Errol
Well, I've managed to get a bit more done.
I didn't realise how many trees I had so progress has been faster than I thought. Out of the 9sq ft to have scenery only 2 1/5 sq feet have been done. I'm going for effect at present (detail comes later)
All ground cover is Woodlands Scenics stuff. The crossbucks and signals are Model Power running off 9 volts. This 9 volts is reduced with a simple regulator chip to 6 volts for interior lighting.
Matt, your "We Fix Anything Mechanical" machine shop is now located in the Rockies!
Errol
Attachments
WOW Errol. Great progress. As Tyson and others have already said this is going to be a very nice layout.
The scenery is terrific.
The scenery is terrific.