Ran across an old video of my C&L layout when searching for 2' x 4' N Scale layouts on YT, and look what came up. If I need to see the progress I have made, mainly starting in 2020 I believe when I built new bases, purchased folding tables, and also added DCC over the years since this video. I started laughing but I am really glad I keep this video. When I think nothing has been done over the years all I have to do is look at this video. Crappy cell phone video from the day, music way too loud ( Turn Volume Down ), and just a piece of 2mm something as a base. Any of you have old videos on your YT channels? After watching this again, I am really happy with the progress I have made in the last year or so. Finally wiring for DCC after being freaked out about it for so long, wiring the Remote Switches, and just over all happy about where it is today! Memories, what's that song? TURN the VOLUME DOWN! You've been warned. And some FREE YT music whatever the heck it is? After I get the second 2' x 4' piece connected correctly for testing on The NEW C&L layout, I'll post it in my thread here. I'm still laughing.... What the hell was I thinking posting this?
Here is the first video I put on YT 13 years ago. My 1st 'train cam' video from years earlier. It was of my first 32 inch wide HCD set on top of our dresser in the bedroom...
mtntrainman, Thanks for the attached video that linked me to videos on how to build with Kato. It was very useful. Rich
Now that I have the Kapton tape and some new decoders coming after Christmas, hopefully I can get the NEW motors I bought month's ago, in the U25B's and get them running nicely? Need a few more Remote switches for the one base and not sure about the second base yet. I'm trying to figure out some easy scenery, but I must say I am having trouble with it so far. Think I am just gonna use my mat grass stuff for now, cause I can change it easily if I screw it up. I will say for the most part, first time I have been able to run trains in both directions with any kind of consistency, at slow speed. Funny on how small of a layout I have many options for running trains, backing them into a spur ( I think that's right ), and the 4 switches for getting trains in an out of the inner and outer loops is a lot of fun. A fellow train board member told me to do this years ago. And it's great too, and fun. Next is to try and mock-up some grass mat stuff see what I can come up with? I used some cheap Water stuff from Michaels but it's not good enough and I am having trouble of where to put a River, or Lake, etc... and actually carve into the foam. Cause once I do it, it's pretty much a can't go back thing, me thinks! Man the Remote Momentary Switches are a fantastic addition and is way more easy then me jumping out of my chair to go flip a bunch of switches Already avoided a few crashes cause I am right next to my STOP button on the Bachmann EZ Command. I love the ease of it, for me and family, but don't like I can't change CV"s and such. Didn't even know what a CV was month's ago, learning!
A friend 3D printed them for me. Sent me some Cessna's and Jet's too but they didn't come out real well, but good enough to use for now. Helicopters came out good. I'll have to ask him if it was Thingiverse or not? Here are the files for 3D printing them. https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/helicopter-n-scale
@mtntrainman Got the 3rd one painted. All of them won't end up on the roof of the warehouse, don't think. But for now it's fine. Not a great paint job, but you can't tell from a distance I really like them.
Done painting the second coat and looks good. Might end up making some grey areas, grass, etc... I like it cause it's different and has some color now, and different roads and such!
Connected the other 2'x4' base to run longer trains for a greater distance and to have some fun I'll have to secure the 3/8" 2'x4' corkboard piece and secure the 2" foam too and add roadbed to it at some point and drop feeders for DCC. But that's in the future!
Taking videos with my NEW iPhone 13 I just got today, and using the Cinematic mode where I can change the Focus. Did it several times between the DQ, Modern Gas Station, and locomotives. Pretty cool, and much better camera and everything them my iPhone 6S. I really, really, really, like DCC, but I didn't have maybe 5-6 cheap DC locomotives anyway, and I got really lucky at the beginning that a member here gave me a simple Bachmann EZ Command Controller all I had to pay was shipping of $5.00, and I bought a set of DCC Bachmann F7's here for like $45.00 to get started. Yes, it has taken me 3-5 years to really get going in DCC, actually 2019-2021, and now I am hooked and really into actually working on my layout(s) for the first time since I started this hobby 30 years ago. Hoping for even more in 2022 and beyond. Will I take time off from the hobby for month's, etc... probably, but I don't think like I did in the past? But who knows! Just know I have enjoyed myself in 2021, a lot!
Any ideas about how I should handle this? I am thinking about a thicker piece of Balsa wood or Styrene? Would rather use balsa wood, and I need to double check my clearance for locomotives getting stuff on that turnout to the other base? It also has to be removed when the second base is stored and the turnout leading to the bridge is replaced with a straight piece of track. Any suggestions appreciated!
I would add some sort of support pillar or wedge from the two bases you are spanning. Extend those such that they support the bridge. They can be removeable wedges, too, so transport is safe.
