Thank you. Yes it is running better but the code is still a bit wonky. I think I have figured out where the error is but I have not uploaded the new sketch to the Uno yet as this one runs pretty good as it sits. I do need to revise the wiring underneath and make a few other adjustments but it's coming along nicely. This is just a test bed really for a more complex system I want to build. I want to completely automate a multiple tram system that will allow 2 or more trams to be able to run independently on the same line at the same time, keeping track of which tram is at which stop and what the next stop is for each tram, and also allowing for a few other features like a "all stop" and or a "home". All stop is obvious as to what it does, and home will set the system to return the trams to a per-designated starting location. Oh and because of the limitations of the Kato trams I am going to be keeping this all DC.
This weekend was pretty good for my tram layout. I got the sidewalks in, some final building placement locations and I will be upgrading some of the wiring here in the next few days as Amazon delivers my stuff. Enjoy the pics.
Ok, so nothing new as far as scenery since this last pic, but I did let this thing run for 5 or 6 hours while I worked on the T-Trak modules, and some other goodies around the house. It ran flawlessly the entire time. So I consider this a success, but of course I’m not done tinkering. I have some ribbon cable coming soon so that will improve the condition of the wiring underneath, and after I install that, I’m going to work more on the scenery. I have a park to make, I may turn the gravel area in to a small pond, I have not decided on that quite yet.
So the lower right corner looked a bit out of place being only gravel. So I scraped the majority of it off and made a little lake edge.
Not having any luck finding 1:160th scale ducks... or swans... Any one got any 3d printed ones to offer for the cause? The smallest I find is 1:148 which will be just about as big as the people! That may work for a floaty thingy but not for a curious waterfowl looking for a bit of dropped bread!
The links says HO but they also do N scale waterfowl. might have to check if 1:160 or 1:148 https://miniprints.ca/product/ducks-ho-scale/ Wife wants swans for our pond, ergo I found them. Or a little bit of modeling clay and make your own? Massey I sent him an email asking for clarification.
OMG I will go broke with that site! There are so many critters that I could put all over my modules as Easter Eggs!
OK update time. Last night I finally received my new buildings that are going on the layout. I ordered 3 but I think I will only need to use one. One is an apartment building that is about as wide as the 2 buildings in the center of the layout. I will build it first and if it looks good then there it sits. If not I have 2 new buildings, and even one left over from the last batch. I still do not have any playground equipment aside from a broken swing, and I need some fence too. Once I settle on the buildings, I will decorate the park and try to populate it with people. On the electrical side of things I now have a couple Raspberry Pi Picos that I am going to try to build into the control for the tram. I wanted this form factor from the beginning of this project and it looks like I will finally get it. Stay tuned here soon for that spot. I may even do some of it in video form. Speaking of video form, I cleaned up the wiring and replaced the jumper wires with actual ribbon cable. which looks so much better, and I did it all on video. I need to edit it and get some voice over work done on it before I post it. Lastly I am debating on the overhead wires/cantanary. I don't want to have this layout too over crowded with stuff. I know it would be more realistic, but sometimes too much realism takes away from the realism. I am still debating this aspect of the layout.
I’d say add a few poles but not as many as would really be needed. It looks unrealistically cluttered to me when you really do as many as would be required. And I decided not to do fake cat because the pole wouldn’t line up in the curves anyway!
What I have noticed in real cantanary around a curve is the poles tend to alternate which side they are on as you go through the curve. This helps route the wire back and forth across the contact on the train/tram. If you have ever noticed, the overhead wires are rarely ever straight, they zig zag to give an even wear pattern on the carbon contact brush. If they didn't do this the wire would cut right down into the brush in just a few miles.
Very Nice! You've sown a seed for me. Just wondering how I could fit something like this on my desk..... Been thinking about how to identify each individual tram. One way could be using RFID, however you would need quite a few readers to keep track of the trams and their location. Other option is using reed switches and magnets. By varying the number of magnets on the tram you could identify it that way. Probably the cheaper and easier method to program. To control the track, Opto-Isolators should do the trick, you can vary the voltage through the Opto-isolator and in essence control the speed of each tram in each block. That way you only need one power supply. Easier method would be relay banks, but you only get on/off and the annoying clickity-clack as they cycle.
Really cool idea. I always like to see what people do with the corners of their layouts. Might have been interesting to do this Z scale and get even more in on the layout I'm torn about ordering some Outland Models for mine. I like the look of them, but not sure how well I can weather them.
Wow, it’s been a while since I have been here! I mean not here as in Trainboard, but here as in my tram layout. It’s pretty much been running smooth for the last few months, no major issues till last night. My daughter’s friend brought over her cats. Now one was born here and knows the other cats in my house including her mom and sister, but the second cat has never been here, and he was a bit spicy. So I found him on my T-trak modules last night and I shoo’d him off but this morning I found him on my tram layout. Well he did quite a bit of damage. Claw marks in the road (now pot holes) and a couple broken buildings. The buildings were an easy fix, they just need to be glued down again, no biggie. Well since I had things to repair I figured why not do a little more scenery work on it. Well I think it came out pretty good so far. The other half will be done next, the first half needs to dry first. Overhead view of the work. Hopefully this really does dry clear Another overhead angle.
