Thread: My OO Scale Model Train set Build.

Yep, spot on Ian, just some wires running from the hinged end, but they’ll also be some switching involved so I can’t accidentally run a train off the end or into the raised section. This will just entail some contacts that will isolate the last section before the bridge, so when broken, any train running into the last 1/2 meter or so will just stop dead. DCC makes life very easy for things like this, 2 wires and I have the 3 tracks sorted. 👍

Each section of track - even on the bridge will have its own set of droppers running to a main bus, but at the end of the day, it’s just those 2 wires that are needed. Points get trickier as you have to switch the frog power when the switch changes so there’s 5 wires involved for each point, with 2 running back to the switch from each - they’ll be around 30 odd points on the layout all up, so it will still be a jumble of wiring, but I’ll show all that later.

Not doing any PC sectional control or anything, so it will be fairly simple electrically. (To start with) 😇

No pic today, but a quick update. The baseboards are 100% finished as far as woodwork goes now, including the bridge section. Still waiting on the XPS foam which should be here mid week and some magnets to latch the bridge section in the down position to make absolutely sure it stays flat over the transition. Have also ordered some spring contacts for the switching of the track either side of the bridge.

As the bridge doesn’t have foam going on it, I could actually start laying the track on it - given its only going to be 2 tracks straight across it at the moment (a third may be added later) then there’s no reason I couldn’t do this.

Will see what tomorrow brings.

So tomorrow is now today and I spent the day laying out an overview of the track on the boards and laid the track across the bridge. This took a long time as I’m doing things different on this - all corners will have correct easements leading into and out of them. This means a bit of math and some extra time but you end up with curves that look like the real thing - using the same guidelines Engineers use to design real railways. Basically the first 30% of the curve ‘eases’ into the corner at a diminishing radius.

This guy explains it well if you have the time - his how to’s are very good and easy to understand.


Anyway, got the cork laid for the 2 mainline tracks across the bridge and one track glued down too, but this is now drying so no more to do today.

A couple of pics -

One side of the cork glued down and drying
Untitled by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

A shot from above -
Untitled by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

Both sides of the cork glued down. This gives a good view of how gentle the curves start at -
Untitled by Gavin Gregory, on Flickr

For the eagle eyed, no, this isn’t a prototypical width for track spacing for 00 - I might tighten this up a bit on the main boards depending on rolling stock clearances - 00 gauge is a bit of a compromise when it comes to this. I’m running 55mm here between track centres whereas it should be 45mm. I think my curves will allow closer spacing, my minimum radius on the mainline is 600mm - slightly over a third radius bend, which I’m pretty happy with.

Looking fan-bloody-tastic Gav!

Some people used to do it solely for the glass of beer but that got knocked on the head for various reasons. Mind you, not for me Gunga Din.

I suppose it was ok for the old blokes that went, in days of yore, all they had to do was let the horse find it's way home.

Gav, I hope you are going to install buffer stops at the end otherwise the locos will finish up on the lawn.

Ron seems to have omitted a transition on both ends of the curve.

Neat little telegraph poles Gav. Just needs wire.

Originally Posted by 4bee

Neat little telegraph poles Gav. Just needs wire.

Luke will tell him how...