I have settled on a plan for my new N scale layout having searched the net for a long time for a good intermodal plan for use in the future & have come back to Kingman a layout which was built to portray area 41 ..... my intermodal theme will be based on it using the main three outer tracks with some adaptation in the centre depending on how things go again i intend to use code 55 track with the boards to be 13ft long 2ft wide in the centre the ends out to 2ft6'' -3ft to allow a turnaround for the locos.
Just need to clear the boards of the track underlay from the HO & i can make a start.
Many thanks to B17 fortress the orginator of this plan for his permission to use it for my new venture.
upnick
Hi All,
Today i finished laying track & wiring the bus in on the first board & tested it all especially the outer curve for smooth running & clearence for the #4001 Big Boy.
All went well took a couple of pictures.
What goes in the centre of the turnaround in the centre is in the planning possibly a hill with a short tunnel up to the end backboard
poliss
Will you be creating a reverse loop as it looks like you will from the plan?
upnick
poliss wrote:
Will you be creating a reverse loop as it looks like you will from the plan?
Hi Poliss,
Do you mean at the right angle crossover in the first two pictures a reverse loop ?
As i thought using the Kato right angle would be suffice to isolate the rails from each other.
poliss
The Kato crossing certainly looks to be isolated and the description on the German website seems to confirm it, but even if you find it isn't then it's a 20 second job to add the isolated Unijoiners.
upnick
Yes Poliss looking at the crossing it should be ok you had me worried for a moment i had missed wiring somewhere else then
Dont know about the joiner replacment as i soldered peco ones to all the rails as even new peco ones were slack on the rail
poliss
Ohhh, you have the crossing fitted already. Shows you how bad my eyes are getting I didn't see it.
Easy to test if it is isolated.
Teleman
Should be okay , because the inside rail of the loop becomes the outside rail of the run .
upnick
Yes i will get the other two tracks fitted /wired up tomorrow night to test it Poliss
poliss
Did you do the test Nick? I have a feeling that if there's a reverse loop then you will still need a reverse loop module even if the crossing is isolating as when the front wheels have passed over the crossing the back wheels will still be on the other side completing the circuit.....I thnk.
upnick
Hi Poliss,
Got home later than planned & didnt get a chance to try the track .... have a try tomorrow before work on a late night shift.
I can see what you mean though fingers crossed the plastic centre of the crossing isolates the lines though i have an AR1 spare if needed let you know how i go on
upnick
Curiosity got the better of me & tried wiring up one track to the crossover ......... & it works fine no short at all with the test loco
The other track should work ok as well the Kato crossing isolates the section & a lot cheaper option to buying a reverse loop module.
Not sure if other crossing pieces they do isolate as well as 90 degrees isnt always possible in a limited space .... the inner tighter track will run geeps anyway so a longer chassis isnt a problem.
Thank you for pointing it out Poliss it started me wondering when you mentioned it
Teleman
Teleman wrote:
Should be okay , because the inside rail of the loop becomes the outside rail of the run .
Told you so just did not explane it very well
poliss
Hands up all those who know what geeps are. Not you Nick.
Even older tom
poliss wrote:
Hands up all those who know what geeps are. Not you Nick.
It's a small hairy mammal found in SW Australia. What you want any on your layout for is beyond me...
poliss
The bristles on them clear up loose ballast Tom.
upnick
Good one Tom
No one so far has got it though Poliss
poliss
Don't suppose they'd know what a U Boat is either Nick.
upnick
No probably not Poliss
Cherangell is one of them mixed up words (forgot what they are called now )
First prize for guessing what Cherangell is properly spelt
poliss
Anagram, and I'm totally rubbish at them. On Countdown I can only usually make a 4 letter word.
Teleman
Is it a class 57 sort of thing ? geeps that is , because its got a genral motors sound to it ?
poliss
It's made by general motors yep. Think 4 wheel utility vehicle nickname thing.
poliss
After lots of thought I came up with Challenger.
upnick
poliss wrote:
After lots of thought I came up with Challenger.
You got it Poliss
Could turn out to be a Challenger of a layout as well
