Topherisme
Chris wants more hobby time!!!
Good deal 
Building My First Layout
- Thread starter Marlin338MX
- Start date
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
It works. That's all that matters.
Absolutely!
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Yesterday I made some progress on my control panel. I updated my other thread, but there doesn't appear to be any interest in a DC control panel over there, so I'll update this thread and probably stop updating my control panel thread.
I've got blocks 1 & 2 wired now, which are the 2 mainlines. I have my 2 Railpower 1370's for controlling the trains and track, and an older Bachmann cab for operating my remote turnouts. I have 2 more Atlas selectors on order so that I have enough for my 16+ blocks.
I'm wiring my blocks through a distribution block with the common wires, and wiring the gap wires into the Atlas selectors.
Spike handle to raise the top
It took me most of the day yesterday, trying to figure out the wiring stuff, but I think it will go much faster now that I've got it somewhat figured out.
I've got blocks 1 & 2 wired now, which are the 2 mainlines. I have my 2 Railpower 1370's for controlling the trains and track, and an older Bachmann cab for operating my remote turnouts. I have 2 more Atlas selectors on order so that I have enough for my 16+ blocks.
I'm wiring my blocks through a distribution block with the common wires, and wiring the gap wires into the Atlas selectors.
Spike handle to raise the top
It took me most of the day yesterday, trying to figure out the wiring stuff, but I think it will go much faster now that I've got it somewhat figured out.
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
Looks good, wiring is always my downfall.
migalyto
Well-Known Member
Looks nice and cleanly done, and it works is always a bonus!
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Yesterday I finished wiring all 16 blocks. I also finished nailing down all the track. All 16 blocks work perfectly, with both power packs. I can run 2 trains at the same time, in the same direction, and in opposite directions.
I think I'll wire the turntable and 7 stall tracks tomorrow. I also have to glue down the cork roadbed after I get the turntable attached to the table, and the turntable motor mounted and wired.
It feels good to be at the point where I can run trains if I want to take a break from working on the layout.
I think I'll wire the turntable and 7 stall tracks tomorrow. I also have to glue down the cork roadbed after I get the turntable attached to the table, and the turntable motor mounted and wired.
It feels good to be at the point where I can run trains if I want to take a break from working on the layout.
I am so green with envy, with your ability to successfully complete DC electrical without throwing something across the room or stopping for a drink.
Old 97
Hogger
Keep it simple and have fun Todd.
Topherisme
Chris wants more hobby time!!!
It does wonders seeing the trains finally move, like the home team crowd cheering you on to keep going and get the win lol
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I am so green with envy, with your ability to successfully complete DC electrical without throwing something across the room or stopping for a drink.
I have to give credit to my friend who taught me how to rewire my two previous boats (a 19ft and a 21ft). Nothing big or super complex, but learning from a licensed boat electrician helped me interpret and understand the information in the Atlas wiring book.
That being said, it was a struggle at times, and I ran into my fair share of bumps along the way. My drink breaks were for coffee, so I could continue to see straight
. After I got the first 2 blocks figured out, the rest of the 16 blocks went real smooth.Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Keep it simple and have fun Todd.
Four months into this layout, and I am absolutely having a ton of fun!
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I've never put together anything other than a simple oval track on a hardwood floor, over 40 years ago. So to have 2 trains running at the same time, in either direction, feels like a big win to me. I never knew what a block was until last October, so to have all 16 blocks working after the first try... that feels like winning a playoff game!
Smudge617
Well-Known Member
Glad to see all has gone well with this layout, I think you have done exceptionally well, I only ever managed one simple track and a couple of turnouts when I last did DC.
I'm 63 and disabled, this is my fourth layout, not including variations of the original, which the present one is, so I'm sure you'll build a new one at some point, maybe even a DCC one, but first you've got to "finish" this one, which I might say, like all of them, they never are.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
Glad to see all has gone well with this layout, I think you have done exceptionally well, I only ever managed one simple track and a couple of turnouts when I last did DC.
I'm 63 and disabled, this is my fourth layout, not including variations of the original, which the present one is, so I'm sure you'll build a new one at some point, maybe even a DCC one, but first you've got to "finish" this one, which I might say, like all of them, they never are.
From what I've seen in these past few months, looking at countless layouts, I'd say you speak the truth about a layout never truly being "finished". It seems like something could always be modified or updated. The adventure continues...
Edit to add - Thank you for the kind words, much appreciated!
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Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I finished the turntable today, along with the 7 stall tracks and the turntable motor. I wired all 8 common wires into a separate 8 terminal distribution block, and the gap wires are wired to 2 Atlas selectors next to the Atlas controller, marked TT thru T7. Everything works as it should, with both power packs.
I used Atlas wired track joiners for all powered track connections. The gap wires on these stall tracks had to be wired outside the tracks because I only have a 9" track connected to a track bumper, and there's not enough room to mount 2 terminal joiners facing each other
I think I'll start adding the structures on the layout next.
I used Atlas wired track joiners for all powered track connections. The gap wires on these stall tracks had to be wired outside the tracks because I only have a 9" track connected to a track bumper, and there's not enough room to mount 2 terminal joiners facing each other
I think I'll start adding the structures on the layout next.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I posted this video on my new YouTube channel
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
This video as well
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I have most of the buildings on the layout now. I added 3 short videos to my YouTube channel, but this one shows the buildings in place.
Marlin338MX
Well-Known Member
I spent about 2 hours yesterday, and another 2 hours today testing all of my engines on my mainlines and sidings. My PA1 doesn't have the traction it needs to pull 4 passenger cars over the bascule bridge. That's disappointing because the PA1 was going to be my primary engine for the 2 sets of Santa Fe passenger cars I have. The war bonnet F9 isn't running right either. It runs good at slow speed, but anything close to half throttle and it squeals real bad. I tried the blue and yellow F7 Santa Fe with the 4 passenger cars and it has no problem pulling them over the bascule bridge.
All of my curves are 18" radius, but I was concerned about the longer passenger cars not working properly on the curves. The passenger cars in the video below are made by Model Power.
I hooked up my Miller Engineering animated Burlington Northern billboard and made a short video of the F7 pulling the passenger cars for my YouTube channel.
All of my curves are 18" radius, but I was concerned about the longer passenger cars not working properly on the curves. The passenger cars in the video below are made by Model Power.
I hooked up my Miller Engineering animated Burlington Northern billboard and made a short video of the F7 pulling the passenger cars for my YouTube channel.
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Topherisme
Chris wants more hobby time!!!
NICE!!!!
