Hi Geoff, some great progress there. It is always very satisfying to solve track problems and the gentle curves will certainly help and look so much better. You asked about the embankments. Personally Id make the whole embankment sections as drop ins, either as two individual sections where they connect into L shaped brackets screwed to wood which is attached to the board sides. 2-3 along the stretch brackets would face inward on both sides. The scenic sections made of poly styrene or foam but lined with 3mm ply to protect the rear and lower faces. Alternatively, one big drop in incorporating the tunnel portal also, this would hold the sides in place and a hoop at the other end, which could be disguised as an overhead line gantry or a cable hoop going over the rails. The base board would simply be widened slightly to support it. The door side scenery is tapered back towards the station to avoid the swing of the door. Have a think, but hopefully it provides ‘food for thought’.
Hi John, yes I agree that a gentle curve is better. I think it was lack of knowledge and skill that got in the way when it was done first of all as is with most of the layout, and anyones first major layout if the truth is to be known. You learn from these little mistakes and that is where the fun is in the building and progression of the layout. I did consider making the bridge embankments as a separate entity and then just offer it up into position when the layout was in use. However, the main reason why I decided to hinge the pullout section was that it would be easier just to drop g DCC own the section, lock it off and start running trains. Before, the section of track was sat on the floor aside the walk through area on the end of a cable which fed the tracks. Not only did the cables get damaged a few time so did the ends of the section and the track so alignment issues became a big problem. Having said that it worked well for some time but the idea of hinging it was suggested to me and do I went about doing it. The tunnel portal is well and truly fixed in position so would not be able to be part of the moveable scenic section. It’s food for thought though but I do think it will be a permanent fixture to the bridge apart from any pinch point above the hinges where I will drop it off n a small fillet of a scenic item.
Very nice ideas Geoff, look forward to seeing them come together. I would love a lift up section, but my plans don’t allow for it, will be doing a lot of crawling when the baseboards are built…simon
Hi Simon, I started off with a pull up section rather than having to crawl under the section as you may remember. Having a knee replacement just before I started the layout made me think about it long term. I can now scramble down and get out while trains are running but it is not comfortable. I did not think I could achieve having a hinged section at first as the section is on an angle but with a bit of thought I realised if I made a cut at 90deg to the run of the track at a short distance from the wall it would work. I designed the hinges to have their fulcrum point above the level of the track so when it starts to lift they would instantly move away from each other, I then 3D printed them. It took a couple of design changes but I got there in the end.
Hi Geoff, Looks like an interesting couple of projects the only thing I can think of is on the inserts to the lift up flap you could use Velcro to hold it on I did all of my embankments that were made out of paper with it and it worked ok but is a bit expensive. The trains were running and sounding well and shallower bends are better I do not have a 4th raduis one anywhere on my layout but do get by with 3rd & 2nd ones. Cheers Robert.
Hi Robert, yes I have to agree that the train now do run a lot better. It has never been too much an issue as I very rarely just simply run trains, I normally video the running of trains as a story do it’s more of stopping and starting and recording short bits so I didn’t get the problems you get in simply a loco or train running continuously. It was obvious when I was going to cover the area within the wardrobe the track in the tunnels had to be trouble free.
Hi Fred, yes the scenic area above the tunnels will be made to lift off easily, I am thinking of making the hinges available as a file download for 3D printers as I think they are quite a success
Hello new to the channel, came from Anthonys stream.. the train going through the wall is awesome, that is a lift up pass through? Great work on layout 😊
Thanks, I am well behind on my videos as I have been so busy pushing my 3D printing business as well as the other type of printing all at the same time as running my full time main work. I have done a lot more to this bridge and should be bringing out the video soon.
Hi Richard, the monitor is a Lenz LRC 120. You can search for it on the internet and associated products such as the LP 161. I did do a quick search and they are around at about £45-£50 but not many people have them in stock. You have to have decoders which have Railcom switched on and also a DCC controller that has also Railcom reporting switched on. I have a Z21 controller and it works fine with that. I was actually given this unit as they did not have a controller that allowed the thing to work. Hope that answers your question.
@@richardswallow1967 I had Railmaster with the DCC interface rather than the Elite controller and found that to be pretty much limited. It served me well until I wanted to do more things and have integration with other things but I do have to say setting up a route and to set a train on a journey was a lot of fun and easy as long as it ran smoothly.
Hi Geoff, Just to thank you for your advice on Naive Gauge's live stream last night now deleted and I will check the lengths of my blocks around were I only get the problems and as I commented about 8 months ago on this are you any nearer to doing the embankments would be nice to see it. Cheers Robert.
Hi Robert, it is in fact done and I really need to upload the video but not had time to edit it. I have been very busy getting my eBay shop and online shop up and running. I want to include products within my videos but got so much to do. I will get around to it soon and I will show off the embankments.
