Changed the layout around again...duh... and now I can't get power to my track using the switches I had originally on the layout. It's not a losing power thing as one set of switches works the entire layout and one no longer does. This works: This no longer works. Any ideas why it does not work now? Exact same switches in the exact location as before. I am confused once again how come they no longer work when they did before.
I can't see it. You've removed the reverse loop? Only option I can think to debug is strategically disconnect the track at other points around the loops and see if it suddenly starts working again. I'm pretty sure those atlas points aren't "power routing" (and you've done exactly the same configuration before in previous photos without complaint), so that's not it.
It was one of the switches that worked previously. Don't know why it stopped working. It's working now. I am still changing things up. It's becoming apparent that changing the track up is what I enjoy At least for now!
How old are those wires going to the turnouts? If they are solid core you could have a broken one from all the moving. You might check them and replace with braided if so. Just a shot in the dark here.
Really old the 80's the 90's and maybe a few from the early 2000's Mostly the 1990's as I had the Yeah I am going to tackle that some day. Take apart a switch at some point. Mostly the 1990's when I had the Atlantic Longhaul Lines from the Nine Scale magazine layout with no scenery at all, but all the track and switches. I have a boat load of track and old switches, especially considering I now a two 2 x 4 layouts I am working on now. I loved that layout and would one day like to actually build it again, ( and maybe even complete it with scenery ) especially with DCC now. It would be awesome. Maybe one day I will have space but not right now. Actually the 2' x 4' is overwhelming enough at times BTW, what are everyones thoughts on the Woodland Scenic's 53 pack of tree's ( are they easy to glue and do I need Woodland Scenic's glue? ) and the Just Plug lighting system. I know I can go cheaper on the lighting, but I like the cleanliness and the simplicity of the Just Plug lighting system. I think I am going to get both in the next few weeks, with many trips to Hobby Lobby using the 40% off coupon's! I'll get something each time I go. Only thing is they don't carry the N-Scale light post just HO, so I'll have to get this online or at the hobby shop, can you say expensive! But I really like he Just Plug system and have been looking at them for month's. Thanks!
I will say this about expensive.... sometimes eBay can be your friend. Im waiting to see your next routing! One more thing on the turn-outs, that is NS track and not steel?
Still occasionally working on the C&L (Cheap Layout), doing some mock up with some black foam board from the craft store. Who knew I could make road lines with a white crayon? And fit's in perfect with the cheap layout theme as I am trying to do things as inexpensive as possible when I can Just a test with a scrap piece (scrap piece is not square or rectangle, just a odd piece), but it looks like it is going to work for what I need. Now to try some parking spots I am thinking about going with 2" main width and my lane divider lines at 1", and maybe 3/4" to 1" for the parking slots? Any ideas on that for N Scale?
Well I went ahead and made some lines for the loading dock with the white crayon ( transfer kit has to be repainted or buy a new one and paint hopefully better ), just to see how it worked. Good thing is if I mess it up bad I can buy some new black foam board. I am happy with it so far as I am still learning. Next thing is maybe some parking spots if I can figure that out. And where the mock up road is, mark it up with the white crayon to make the road lanes, and remove the mock up road, here is hoping it works out
Well as I posted in another thread the finally cool Fall weather ( and my nieces coming over last week ) has motivated me once again to work on the C & L Layout once again, after a long break. It's actually right next to me in the same room. Amazing how you can ignore something when your not in the mood for that hobby. Anyway it appears people get a kick out of my never ending changes on the C&L Layout. This thing will never be finished or a permanent track plan Was time for a Fall cleaning, removed everything and starting all over again This time I am going to try and document things I do with pictures and Youtube video's, try being the optimal word there. Am I the only ones that have a million idea's as they are moving things around or do you follow a track plan exactly. Apparently, that's not what I enjoy in the hobby. So far ever changing is me. Will try to post pictures soon, if I do this right. Don't know how long it will last but really enjoying this right now!
Here is the new C & L Layout hopefully YouTube playlist: Is there a way to link a playlist? I can't figure it out!
Added the other 2' x 4' section to give me an idea of what it will look like and get some ideas. I am planning on adding a siding somewhere, and also adding the Woodland Scenics Grass Mat to this section too and see what it looks like. I can remove the few piers and bring the 1/8" cork up to the other 2' x 4' section, or I can level it and make it all level. Was just wanting to try some different things as always! Any ideas or suggestions from anyone?
I think you’ve got lots to work with. I’ve always found defining my end goal is helpful to make changes I’ll be happy with. I’m more of a switching layout type especially on a small layout so I’m not concerned with continuous running. My suggestion is to define your railroads purpose, define the industries you want to serve, and then make that plan fit your idea of what your railroad should be. Doing that will keep you from buying too many locos or cars, too much track, or buildings and scenery materials that’s you don’t really need. Hopefully that’s helpful as you work towards your goal. You can do a lot with the space you have and end up with a great railroad that you’ll enjoy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Using the free Atlas Track Planning Software. My first attempt! Not 100% but very close, and something I can refer too and change! Just in case you don't know it's 2' x 4', and I have an L the same size! Hopefully I'll get better at it the more I use it.
Driveways, curbs, street lights, tree's, etc.. As you can see have to vacuum, make adjustments, get the lights working better, and continue work on the scene Obviously the truckers are in kind of company homes as those are the cab's that pull the trailers at the nearby trucking company, and I don't have anymore vehicles yet Sent from my SM-G550T using Tapatalk
Alright I think I kind of have it figured out, for the most part. In my constant changes thing's around I came up with this, which will let me run 2 trains at the same time without running into each other ( I think ) , and when the niece's and such come over I can kind of let them enjoy watching them go around the layout. Sorry of the horrible pictures took them with the iPad old mini as I was too lazy to get the new one My question is I know I need at least one spur, siding, whatever you call it and am thinking of putting it behind the transfer / warehouse building. I will also have to leave room on the far 2 x 4 piece to add track too and get the original loop, for when the L is stored under the bed. Now, the big question is scenery? I want it extremely simple, and just can not get going on it. I just want huge parking ares's by the warehouse and refinery, and other road's interconnecting. Can anyone give me some suggestions on that. And ohh yeah I will finally have to see if I can do simple DCC wiring for a BUS in the future. I think I can. And suggestions, simple drawing you would like to make would really be appreciated. And Thank You in advance! Next pictures I'll get the iPad with the better camera out I may even retake these soon and repost them. But I am pretty lazy, so don't count on it
Wow, I actually uploaded the better pictures, yeah me I know it's a mess right now and I'll clean it up than mess it up, clean it up, you get it. Planning on adding some templates for things, like a lake, road's, more building's. Hope I stay motivated for a bit
Alright so after month's of changing my layout plane around by simply moving track manual to all sort's of configuration's until I found something I like, I think I finally hit on the design I pretty much want with maybe small tweaking. To test adding bus wiring, can I take the rail joiners with wires ( pictured below ) and use them for testing in a few places by coming off the lead's from the DCC power, as long as I keep the polarity correct, just for testing, before I wire a bus? I have one set now coming off the DCC controller providing power and I want to add a second for testing and maybe a third, before wiring a bus. Is is possible, and will hit hurt anything? And after I test it, wire a BUS, which I am guessing would be 2 wires that will connect eventually to the DCC Controller. I just need 2 wires underneath each 2' x 4' section continuous, I'll have to have a connection as one 2' x 4' section is stored under the bed at times. Here is an overall shot of the layout how I want it now. Thanks for your help with this! There is also a spur now in the far left side to the right of those 2 tracks along the row of tree's and the grey road!
Hooked up the temporary BUS line, as I just connected both to the DCC Control System output wires for testing. Everything appears to work fine. Now I will work on adding the permanent BUS line to hook into/ Any suggestions for how to hook it up? Splice the wire and connect? Use a terminal block? And other ideas? Thanks! Might be hard to see but I have two aires for the outer track and two wires for the inner track coming off the MAIN red wires on the DCC controller. Of course I have to look through my train stash and find the RED wire too so I can have BLACK on one and RED on the other to help me Or GREEN or another color I find! Just want two different color's!
Something I learned the hard way was to be consistent with your wire colors, whatever you wind up with. I keep a notebook with stuff like that listed. It helps down the road where you may not remember, there are a lot more wires under there, or someone else is helping to work on or troubleshoot the layout.
