Break in time

ModelWarships Feb 2, 2013

  1. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    Well I am officially hooked. Just set up the outer loop of my new coffee table layout. Spent the last hour breaking in my AZL GP-38 and MT SD-40-2. This is going to be fun!
     
    ddechamp71 likes this.
  2. Stourbridge Lion

    Stourbridge Lion TrainBoard Supporter

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    Photos / Videos - Let's see it!

    :cool:
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Great! Another person joins the fun.
     
    ddechamp71 likes this.
  4. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    coffeetable-01.jpg This is what I am starting with. The glass is 29" sq, with the building area 30-36. I am going to combine the two upper drawers and use the bottom one for storage and to mount the controls. I am thinking that to avoid the problems with the glass reflections, that I should back light it with LED along the edges. Right now I am trying to figure out the ultimate layout configuration for the space. I want to run two trains. Perhaps one around the outer loop and one with an over and under path in the middle. I am not as concerned with operation as I am continuous running, so I will probably keep the spurs and siding to a minimum. I have a large HO scale layout for that, if I chose to rebuilt it that is.
     
  5. Loren

    Loren TrainBoard Supporter

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    I think that is good planning to have some lighting with LEDs to help hide glass glare. This layout has tremendous potential to be a real eye catcher.

    As Stourbridge Lion said.......share your construction photos with us. Looking forward to progress reports.
     
  6. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    Right now I am playing with some different track configurations. I am finding the MTL track OK, but I don't have much choice for turnouts. What are some of you guys using? I would like a turnout that is better suited for 6 axle engines and longer freight cars.
     
  7. markm

    markm TrainBoard Supporter

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    The MTL, Marklin and Rokuhan turnouts are all 490mm radius (about a #4 depending on definitions). If you want something else, like a #6, you'll have to build it. Check out the fast tracks post.
     
  8. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    You amaze me when you say that a R490 turnout matches with #4. After a few quick computations I would say something like #5.5, or even closer to #6...

    Dom
     
  9. Don A

    Don A TrainBoard Supporter

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    You might even try a piece of non-reflecting glass.

    ...don
     
  10. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    Starting cutting foam board tonight for the layout. IMAG0744.jpg IMAG0745.jpg Still have some more track to lay and need to stabilize the grade and secure the 1/2" foam board to the drawer. But at least I am getting something done.
     
  11. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Ahh... Were only one thing I'd want to change in our beloved scale, it's the lack of decent RTR turnouts. I'm meaning turnouts without roadbed, without any ugly side mechanism, and of course beeing power-routing, and with US style tie spacing. Some time ago a crafstman, Peter Wright, was doing all this. But he's out of business for health issues. So now I'm going to have to assemble Fast-Tracks turnouts...:eek:hboy:


    Dom
     
  12. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here's a coffee table layout I made for a fellow in Singapore. Jim

    [​IMG]
     
  13. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jim, I remember you making the Singapore layout.
     
  14. JamesTraction

    JamesTraction TrainBoard Supporter

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    Jim, I like that layout. How big is it in diameter?
    JamesTraction
     
  15. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    Guess I should update my progress.


    [video=youtube;o5df71Qflp0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5df71Qflp0[/video]


    I am still tweeking the trackwork as I want this to run trouble-free and don't want to have to open it up to fix things. After finding David Smith's article on bottom mounting the MTL turnout switch machines, I think I am going to do that to a least some of mine.
     
  16. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    Finally back at it as my home remodeling winds down. I'm finding that it best to keep the ballast far far away from the turnouts. I'm going to have to pull some up as they are hanging up. Here's a video that shows the revised track plan. I added a siding coming out of the tunnel on the coal line to allow the 9 cars and 2 engines to park. A runaround track has been installed in the yard to allow thru trains to run without fouling the small yard. The bare spot in the center will be a town now building on a separate base.
    [video=youtube;kGJqyp-ePQ8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGJqyp-ePQ8&feature=youtu.be[/video]
     
  17. emaley

    emaley TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks nice. You got a lot of action in a small area. Everything seems to run well too. I built something similar, but smaller and with only a single track on about 25" x 27". Thanks for sharing.

    Trey
     
  18. ModelWarships

    ModelWarships TrainBoard Member

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    20200420_135641.jpg It's been a while since posted updates on the Coffee Table layout here. So here's where it is today. I am finished with the track as it is not possible to fit anymore in. If I had it to do over, I would leave a lot of it out. But with 4 grandchildren, I need as many trains operating as possible.

    20200608_215744.jpg
    Depending on which side of the table you sit on, you will have a different type of scenery in the background. This view will be more industrialized, with the warehouse fitted and plans to add a grain elevator beside it.
    20200416_141654.jpg
    With the top drawer removed you can see the inner workings mocked up. I split the bottom drawer into two parts to allow for easier access. One side will be car/loco storage. The controls are currently being tested and everything seems to be working well. I am not happy with the RJ45 connection for the turnouts as it is not fully reliable. I will be investigating other connectors. The old Digitrax DCS50 is the base and I run my spare DT402's with them so I can run up to 5 trains.

    20200419_195110.jpg

    This is the current schematic and state of the wiring. I am toying with a different layout that is not unfolded as it is not readily apparent to others which switch goes to the various turnouts.

    It's all mounted on a wood base so I can remove it and rework it as needed. I will probably fab a new stainless steel panel to run the full width of the drawer that will include a cutout for the DSC50 and some other switches for lighting and accessories.

    I don't know if this thing will ever be done, but it's functional and fun.
     
    Kez, bostonjim, rray and 1 other person like this.

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