I also have to endorse Unitrack. While it does have a certain set of limitations, the trade-off is bullet-proof operation and ease of set up. It is robust and reliable. Even better is the fact that it is always in stock. Try finding any Atlas track these days; whether it's Code 55 or 80, it's as scarce as can be. That fact alone was enough for me to build my new layout with Unitrack.
After reading the first 20 pages of the unitrack group I'm fairly confident that you are right. You asked a lot of questions that helped my decision actually.
And that's kind of how I got to looking at it. The lhs carries the atlas version of unitrack but the lack of pieces and the very limited re-use-ability (from what I have read) have made that a pretty easy choice to not use. Ill be spending my slush fund on it later this week. Ok, it's down to about $60 now but that'll get me the radius track I need to start landscaping
I notice when uploading pictures that there is a 9MB max in our galleries? What do people do when they max out their gallery? A picture of my layout drawing so far is attached. I haven't figured out an area for operations yet
Sometimes, I wish my Mac laptop had a simple program like PAINT. I find myself using my wife's HP laptop to create something, then emailing myself to get it on my Mac. (Or, using a USB strage device?) But, I also wish they had other simpler programs, like (MS) Picture It instead of (Mac) Aperture. You should have LOTS of room for a decent "N" scale layout. Congrats, look FWD to seeing what you do with this space.
There are some great simple painting programs out there for Macs, Tred. Acorn (http://flyingmeat.com/acorn/) and Pixelmator are in the App Store. Someone described 'JobsPainter' as 'similar to MSPaint on Windows.' Want free options? there's Paintbrush, from http://paintbrush.sourceforge.net. GIMP, the very sophisticated Photoshop-level program is available from http://www.gimp.org/downloads/ and absolutely free. Graphic design was born on Macs...so there are a TON of options.
I am looking to have at least one wheat field on the layout and I found a site that sells static grasses etc. the thing that adds the static to the grasses is sinfully priced so I was searching for home made ones when I came across this thread... unfortunately the link to the PDF on how to build it seems to be dead. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?101936-How-do-I-model-wheat-fields-in-N-scale Searching the interweb brought me to this page... http://willowcreekrr.site40.net/text/static_grass-applicator.pdf I think I'll give it a try when the time comes.
A picture of my limited selection of loco and car. I think they are kewl! now all I need are the power cab and a bit of track
I have a question. Ok, I have a lot of questions to be honest but just one tonight. Should I plan to use a cork or synthetic roadbed under the unitrack?
Had a bit of insomnia, so I tinkered something together just for kicks. It may or may not be of interest. Note that, if you're OK with grades, you can raise the single track that passes through the town (and raise the town with it), and eliminate the crossing.
Thank you very much. I had read that the insulation base allowed some extra noise. I think I have worded that a bit wrong but it is 4:40 am.
wow. I had a touch of insomnia the night before but all I did was toss and turn until morning. I like that quite a bit, its a lot better than the boring run I've been drawing. Thank you very much. I do want a bit of elevation variance so that will allow me to add a bridge of some type. Ill be doing a series of smaller unitrack buys starting this weekend. I think this model railway business is a fair bit addicting.
Foam can sometimes seem to add more noise, but this is only when the foam is bare, because it's allowed to behave like a sounding board. Once the foam is covered with buildings and scenery, it will be quiet. Here's that plan with grades:
David, I appreciate the time you've spent on that plan. It's a gooder for sure. Now all I have to do is start the buying process this can get addictive cant it?
Today I had to go pick up some stuff for work at one of the local Home Depots and thought to pick up some 12/1 wire. Black and white. No grey area on that one. I was thinking of 12/7 wire but decided I liked the 12/1 better, still not sure why. feeder wire will come soon enough but I ordered a 4 pack of that unitrack with the power can to test the loco on and to bone up on soldering diminutive little pieces of metal. I am planning to have the cab connector thingy attached about a foot and a half along the long leg of the "U" and running the bus from the power cab connector thingy to an electrical splitter bit and have it go both ways from there. Hate to show off all that fancy electrical lingo of mine I'm thinking of soldering feeder wires going to each length of track. A lot of extra soldering but I'm hoping it pays off in the long run. It won't be too bad as I can't buy all the track at the same time. Ill be buying enough to make an oval with 15" radius turns and 39" straight sections with 19" radius pieces making an easement into and out of the curves. I'll be going over the layout plan David posted and buying things that will be able to be incorporated with my next pay check. Who knew you could mud and sand rigid insulation like it was drywall???
Good news in the mail today. The power cab showed up making me happy. Took it home and like any old kid with a new toy I set it up on the kitchen table. 4 pieces of 9-3/4" long unitrack hooked together. I took off the two outside track connectors and hooked pieces of telephone wire to the track and reinserted the track connectors. Connected the other ends to the thingy with those tiny screws and plugged that in. Remind me to replace the phones cord before da wife gets home I made sure I followed the quick setup instructions and plugged the cab in. Placed the loco on the track and Pressed the headlight button and viola! We had light. But no movement. Yipes! Bad decoder? Maybe a mistake and NO decoder? Took the shell off and yep, there it is. Course then I was thinking maybe it was a bad idea to buy the first loco from a train show. just when I had decided to put it away for a while and relax I accidentally turned the juice up a lot and zip... There it goes. 39" isn't that long after all it ran kinda jerky the first couple of times back and forth but soon smoothed right out. Life, she be good.
All forward movement is good movement. Today I was painting the family room so I put a coat of primer on the insulation/groundwork. I have a quart can of paint called cappacino ill coat it with. It's a nice dark colour and since this part of the country has nice rich topsoil I thought it would be apropos. Ordered enough track to make a nice oval with 15" radii, and also a set of 19" radius curves as well. decided to get it here quicker and specified Xpresspost but the email I received from Canada post has it coming 2 days later than regular post. Big surprise hey? heres a picture of the bright white. I may have to paint that room the pink isn't good for pictures
