Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Plus, this firewood helps keep my full walk-in attic warm during the winter months so my model railroad (and I) don't freeze
Building My First Layout
- Thread starter Marlin338MX
- Start date
Plus, this firewood helps keep my full walk-in attic warm during the winter months so my model railroad (and I) don't freeze
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Very nice detail!
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Help needed...
I finally had a chance to run some trains last night, just on my 2 mainlines and my 2 eastern "loops". I moved the turnouts closer together on the top, or northern edge, of the layout. I then added a dropper wire there for my 2 mainlines. Mainline 2 has no issues.
Mainline 1 in the attached diagram is shown in green and red. The red shows where mainline 1 has to power now. But it worked just fine a few months ago. I added a dropper wire where block 25 meets the red line to the right, and a dropper wire in the middle of mainlines 1 & 2. The trains run fine on the green sections, and on blocks 17 and 25. I didn't change anything else on the section of track that doesn't work. I can't figure out why there is no power there now. The engine suddenly stops when it hits these 3 areas, as if it's entering a new block that has no power. I have the Atlas switches turned on for blocks 1, 17, and 25, so the engine should make a seamless transition like it used to.
This is where the engine (blue Conrail) stops where block 17 meets block 1 (when going forward)
This is where the engine stops when going from Block 25 to block 1 (when going forward)
This arrow shows where the rest of the dead space is on block 1. The green circle shows where block 25 meets block 1, where the engine also stalls (when going in reverse)
I've double checked to make sure my dropper wires are spliced into the block 1 gap wire. I didn't make any other changes yesterday.
I'm looking for ideas and suggestions, thank you!
I finally had a chance to run some trains last night, just on my 2 mainlines and my 2 eastern "loops". I moved the turnouts closer together on the top, or northern edge, of the layout. I then added a dropper wire there for my 2 mainlines. Mainline 2 has no issues.
Mainline 1 in the attached diagram is shown in green and red. The red shows where mainline 1 has to power now. But it worked just fine a few months ago. I added a dropper wire where block 25 meets the red line to the right, and a dropper wire in the middle of mainlines 1 & 2. The trains run fine on the green sections, and on blocks 17 and 25. I didn't change anything else on the section of track that doesn't work. I can't figure out why there is no power there now. The engine suddenly stops when it hits these 3 areas, as if it's entering a new block that has no power. I have the Atlas switches turned on for blocks 1, 17, and 25, so the engine should make a seamless transition like it used to.
This is where the engine (blue Conrail) stops where block 17 meets block 1 (when going forward)
This is where the engine stops when going from Block 25 to block 1 (when going forward)
This arrow shows where the rest of the dead space is on block 1. The green circle shows where block 25 meets block 1, where the engine also stalls (when going in reverse)
I've double checked to make sure my dropper wires are spliced into the block 1 gap wire. I didn't make any other changes yesterday.
I'm looking for ideas and suggestions, thank you!
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Have you tried a voltage tester? Also trace the wiring back for any issues.
You'll eventually find the issue. I definitely know your frustration.
I became so fed up with DC wiring issues that I went DCC. I know you're not able to do this, but out of the last 3 layouts I only had 2 frogs that needed to be powered.
You'll eventually find the issue. I definitely know your frustration.
I became so fed up with DC wiring issues that I went DCC. I know you're not able to do this, but out of the last 3 layouts I only had 2 frogs that needed to be powered.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Have you tried a voltage tester? Also trace the wiring back for any issues.
You'll eventually find the issue. I definitely know your frustration.
I became so fed up with DC wiring issues that I went DCC. I know you're not able to do this, but out of the last 3 layouts I only had 2 frogs that needed to be powered.
I have a voltage tester, and for some reason, that section of track isn't getting power. I'll take my time and retrace the wiring. I might have some loose rail joiners, but checking that would require me to remove all kinds of track nails first. I hope I can narrow it down to a small area before I doo all of that.
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
I'd say loose rail joiners are the culprit. You may be able to fix that with a nail punch and small hammer, or a pair of needle-nose pliers. Then there is the option of soldering.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I'll try the needle nose pliers first. I never thought of that, so thanks for the idea.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the suggestion.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
It's fixed!
So, all I had to do was to add a dropper wire for the common rail, close to where I added a dropper wire for the block 1 wiring. I'm glad it was that simple. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions, much appreciated!
As soon as winter gets here (and I'm in no hurry for that to happen), I hope to finish the layout.
So, all I had to do was to add a dropper wire for the common rail, close to where I added a dropper wire for the block 1 wiring. I'm glad it was that simple. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions, much appreciated!
As soon as winter gets here (and I'm in no hurry for that to happen), I hope to finish the layout.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I finally added the new siding on the north side of my layout. It's about 8ft long, and it's wired as my 28th block (the track on the left with the Amtrak train on it).
Yesterday I spent several hours taping off the track and roadbed so I can cover the brown paint with green paint. The green is lighter than I wanted, but it will be covered with grass, or buildings, or roads, or landscaping anyway, so it's not a big deal. Having the green paint helps me visualize how things will look when I finish placing the buildings and roads. I'll continue to paint over all of the brown with this green color, then start placing the structures.
Slow progress is better than no progress.
Yesterday I spent several hours taping off the track and roadbed so I can cover the brown paint with green paint. The green is lighter than I wanted, but it will be covered with grass, or buildings, or roads, or landscaping anyway, so it's not a big deal. Having the green paint helps me visualize how things will look when I finish placing the buildings and roads. I'll continue to paint over all of the brown with this green color, then start placing the structures.
Slow progress is better than no progress.
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Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I have most of the brown paint covered with green now. The residential area is about all I have left, besides the waterfront scene and the area where the valley is going. I like the green paint much better than the brown paint. Of course I still have to add roads, grass, trees, and other details.
I added 3" of straight track to my Burlington Northern spur so I could fit the engine, a gondola and the maintenance car at the depot.
The downtown area looks better with the green paint, in my opinion
This is the residential area that I will paint this Friday.
These are the 2 schools I have, both from my dad's collection. I added the buses to make them look more like schools.
Many things are not in their final places yet. I have a lot of work to do before I make those decisions.
Behind the school on the left is where the valley will go.
I added 3" of straight track to my Burlington Northern spur so I could fit the engine, a gondola and the maintenance car at the depot.
The downtown area looks better with the green paint, in my opinion
This is the residential area that I will paint this Friday.
These are the 2 schools I have, both from my dad's collection. I added the buses to make them look more like schools.
Many things are not in their final places yet. I have a lot of work to do before I make those decisions.
Behind the school on the left is where the valley will go.
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Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
The brown paint is now covered with green paint. The first pic shows most of my layout. It's an "L" shape that is 16ft long by 11ft long, and 5-6ft wide.
BigGRacing
Aka. Gary Russell
That’s looking awesome!
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Thank you! Progress always feels good.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Thank you!
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Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Thank you! Have you made any progress on your layout recently?
migalyto
Well-Known Member
No, I haven't done any building since the end of July, other than run trains.
