My first layout HO scale

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Here are some questions which I need answers to:

1) I need rail joiners for Atlas 100 and my hobby shop supplier (1 hr drive away) is out of stock now for 1 month. Any suggestion on where I can order some?
2) Since my train knowledge is very limited, do I need a locomotive for every yard? (I would need 5?)
3) I have Atlas flex track, I was told to use Peco turnouts, is this right and do I need special joiners since 2 different companies?
4) Are the turnouts all manually triggered or are there any that can be electronically controlled?

That's it for now
Thanks
 
Hawkesburytrain said:
Should I isolate the freight and the passenger?
Maybe create a second track parallel so that they don't use the same track?
Click to expand...

In my personal opinion, yes, add the track so that they can work independently. This is how it would work in the real world - no freight company wants some passenger train holding up a few thousand tons worth of products. That's a pretty expensive hold up.
However, this is a model and you may choose to otherwise. How would you want to operate the layout? That's really what it comes down to.

Hawkesburytrain said:
Here are some questions which I need answers to:

1) I need rail joiners for Atlas 100 and my hobby shop supplier (1 hr drive away) is out of stock now for 1 month. Any suggestion on where I can order some?
2) Since my train knowledge is very limited, do I need a locomotive for every yard? (I would need 5?)
3) I have Atlas flex track, I was told to use Peco turnouts, is this right and do I need special joiners since 2 different companies?
4) Are the turnouts all manually triggered or are there any that can be electronically controlled?

That's it for now
Thanks
Click to expand...

1. I get most of my stuff from here: http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/ However, there are a few sources around the web, some better than others. Surf the forum for these resources, there's quite a few good ones. Beware: shop around on the web the same you would for anything else. Some shops have better prices than others.
2. Die hards will put a locomotive in each yard. I personally don't have the money to go buy 5 locomotives, even if they're just small switchers. If you have one or two right now, use those. As time goes on, you can decide if you want more.
3. This is exactly the setup I have. The only issue is the height of the ties. The PECO ties stand taller than the Atlas ties. The rails are same height (code 100 is code 100). Because of the ties, the rails end up at different heights. I ended up putting shims under the Atlas track just before/after the PECO turnouts to resolve the issue. A little bit of extra filing on the top of the rails after soldered together will also help smooth the transition.
4. They can all be electronically controlled. Tortoise machines are typically the weapon of choice. They mount under the table and are pretty reliable. With the mounting style, you can put ground throws on the surface that will turn with the track. It's a pretty cool result. The nicest ground throws (in my opinion and many others') can be found here: http://www.cabooseind.com/

I hope this answers your questions.
 
Thanks blky,

Yes you did answer my questions
As for the passenger train, it's a tour train (gone for 3-4 days), not a stop and go, so is it treated the same?

I've done lots of searching and can't seem to find a 1960's Canadian Pacific caboose (brown wood), could someone help?

Thanks
 


If you're getting Peco switches, you should use the Peco switch machines. They attached directly under the switch. They are selenoid driven, and you can control them using your DCC system by using a stationary decoder, like the NCE snap-it.

While the tortiose machines are popular, they are difficult to install, and they mount under the benchwork.
 
Motley said:
If you're getting Peco switches, you should use the Peco switch machines. They attached directly under the switch. They are selenoid driven, and you can control them using your DCC system by using a stationary decoder, like the NCE snap-it.

While the tortiose machines are popular, they are difficult to install, and they mount under the benchwork.
Click to expand...
I'll put in a vote for tortoises. Yeah, harder to install. But huge flexibility. Built in switches to power frogs. Tons of decoders for things like routing , automation and signaling, etc. But most of all, because they keep constant tension on the turnout, my turnout issues like splitting immediately went away when I moved to them from solenoids.
 
kjchronister said:
I'll put in a vote for tortoises. Yeah, harder to install. But huge flexibility. Built in switches to power frogs. Tons of decoders for things like routing , automation and signaling, etc. But most of all, because they keep constant tension on the turnout, my turnout issues like splitting immediately went away when I moved to them from solenoids.
Click to expand...
Ps. They do mount under the turnout, but there are several ways to mount them on a drop in basis that make it much easier. I recently posted how I do it, e.g.
 
Since you are not talking about a passenger train that is treated like it's listed in a timetable, you could have it stop and wait for switching moves, if you want it to do it that way.

I would suggest that you do go ahead and separate the track as was suggested, for the reason specified. However, it is your railroad and you can set it up any way you are going to be happy with. That is the important part-it's what YOU want the layout to do.

Not every yard is going to have a switcher assigned to it all the time. In large and medium sized yards, yes there would be assigned switchers. In small yards, maybe there would be and maybe there wouldn't be. It depends on the era you may be modeling and what you want the layout to do. On my layout, there will be two small yards; both will have assigned power to them only because I have the locos to cover the assignments. When not in use, they will be on a servicing track, just like they would be on a prototype railroad. If you don't have the locos to assign, so what? Use your road power to switch the yards when you need to do! If your collection of locos grows over time, then you might want to assign power to the yards.
 
Thanks everyone,

Sorry for not posting lately.

For the last week, I've added 4 more tables to my layout and that should be it for a while. I've also been reading and viewing more articles on "How to do.....". I've also ordered a few buildings to do from scratch.

A few dilemma's I have and can't seem to solve.
- It's been 6 weeks that I bought a bunch of Atlas 100 tracks and since then, can't find any track connectors. HELP!! where does everyone get them? Can I use something else? plastic? Switch to 83 tracks and keep the 100 for much later expansion? switch to peco tracks? or just wait for October as posted per Atlas
ARRIVING OCTOBER
HO Code 100 Track:
#170 HO Universal Rail Joiners (Nickel Sil.)

- I can't find a 60's CP Caboose (brown/red wood)

Until I settle the rail joiners issue, I will be working on my scratch buildings, making my layout better, attending a train show on the 27th of Sept. and going on a 10 day vacation in Arizona. We have 2 train trips plan, one to the Grand Canyon from William near Flagstaff and another in Sedona. Those will be my first train rides....LOL

Later all
 
I ran into the same issue when i was looking for the jointers i use atlas 100 too. i got some from my hobby shop after a 50 mile drive to it and found the atlas turnouts has extra and salvaged from some used track my wife bought for me off ebay.
 


Atlas has had manufacturing issues for going on 2 years now. If you see what you need, get it-who knows where or when youll see it again.
 
otiscnj said:
Atlas has had manufacturing issues for going on 2 years now. If you see what you need, get it-who knows where or when youll see it again.
Click to expand...

Yeah... I'm sitting on a box of 100 pcs of flex track... have half a box sitting open unused, will never need any more even if I build everything I ever planned... but im hanging onto that box cuz you never know when it'll go off the market again...
 
Thanks lasm,
I did get in touch with them and will be getting those rail joiners to get started

I also ordered more stuff (buildings, tracks, freight) and it's on it's way. It's soooo easy to buy stuff and I can't seem to stop.
Oops I had to, my wallet is now empty.
So I'll just have to wait for my orders to come in
 
FINALLY, something to report
Just got my first order in, mainly all buildings. This will definitely keep me very busy. I'm still waiting for 2 more deliveries, a bunch of freight cars, tracks and some much due rail connectors. Unfortunately, I can't get started yet since I'll be heading to Arizona on Tuesday for 10 days.

Can anyone suggest hobby shops or clubs to visit in Flagstaff or Phoenix?

I can't wait to post pictures to keep all of you informed

Later
 


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