Starting the new layout!
- Thread starter Myowngod
- Start date
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As a matter of fact, Fast Tracks are an exact match for the NMRA turnout templates on XtrkCAD since Fast Tracks uses the NMRA standards.
Also, if you are going to be buying Fast Tracks stuff, you can get a 10% discount by ordering off my site. Click on the logo on most RR pages. It takes you to Fast Tracks site, but you can use a code and get the discount.
Got it, don't know how I missed it. What is your min radius on the mainlines?
I have the red arrow pointing at about a 24" to 24-1/2" radius. This is the tightest spot on the mainline. It is hidden, so visually it's no big deal. But if you have long freight, they might hickup. All the other mainline curves are 26", 36", and then extreme radii .
You can use the "?" tab to see any of the radii, angles, lengths, etc. That is the properties tab.
Unfortunately, nothing. I just got money and I'll treat myself to some decoders to get all my engines running on my Dad's layout. I guess it's better that way, I'll get what I really need.
Jos,
I already started planning a warehouse front to go up against the backdrop. The first floor or 2 will have solid walls or bricked up windows to conceal the trains behind the wall. I was aware of this area even before we start construction because of the Xtrkcad plan I made. That program is priceless.
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SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
As a matter of fact, Fast Tracks are an exact match for the NMRA turnout templates on XtrkCAD since Fast Tracks uses the NMRA standards.
Also, if you are going to be buying Fast Tracks stuff, you can get a 10% discount by ordering off my site. Click on the logo on most RR pages. It takes you to Fast Tracks site, but you can use a code and get the discount.
brubakes
Member
It's under the section called files, about half way down the list you'll see PRR Schuylkill Div .
Good luck and enjoy. Believe me, I saved you alot of work if you use it.
Good luck and enjoy. Believe me, I saved you alot of work if you use it.
brubakes
Member
It's under the section called files, about half way down the list you'll see PRR Schuylkill Div .
Good luck and enjoy. Believe me, I saved you alot of work if you use it.
Got it, don't know how I missed it. What is your min radius on the mainlines?
I have the red arrow pointing at about a 24" to 24-1/2" radius. This is the tightest spot on the mainline. It is hidden, so visually it's no big deal. But if you have long freight, they might hickup. All the other mainline curves are 26", 36", and then extreme radii .
You can use the "?" tab to see any of the radii, angles, lengths, etc. That is the properties tab.4Starcstms
Member
Hey Ron, what'd Santa bring you and your dad this year??
Unfortunately, nothing. I just got money and I'll treat myself to some decoders to get all my engines running on my Dad's layout. I guess it's better that way, I'll get what I really need.
After a long time away, I finally got to work on the layout.
The major work that I accomplished was installing the turntable and roundhouse. Both of these structures are from Walther's, the 90' built-up turntable and the modern 3 stall roundhouse and 3 stall add-on kits (total 6 stalls).
Here is what the area looked like after I cleared all the tools and junk that was piled up in the work site.
View attachment 8708
I put in the main structures of the engine service facility. I still have to build the yard office. It will be put next to the turntable, about in the 10 o'clock position. The office is the American Model Builders interlock tower #702.
View attachment 8709
View attachment 8710
This is a shot of the rear of the roundhouse.
View attachment 8711
That is the beginning of the install... still more to come.
The major work that I accomplished was installing the turntable and roundhouse. Both of these structures are from Walther's, the 90' built-up turntable and the modern 3 stall roundhouse and 3 stall add-on kits (total 6 stalls).
Here is what the area looked like after I cleared all the tools and junk that was piled up in the work site.
View attachment 8708
I put in the main structures of the engine service facility. I still have to build the yard office. It will be put next to the turntable, about in the 10 o'clock position. The office is the American Model Builders interlock tower #702.
View attachment 8709
View attachment 8710
This is a shot of the rear of the roundhouse.
View attachment 8711
That is the beginning of the install... still more to come.
Jos,
I already started planning a warehouse front to go up against the backdrop. The first floor or 2 will have solid walls or bricked up windows to conceal the trains behind the wall. I was aware of this area even before we start construction because of the Xtrkcad plan I made. That program is priceless.
To help support the back of the roundhouse I cut out some plywood. Well, I didn't realize that it was 3/4". Ahh... the rest of the bench work plywood is 1/2"... Oops!
After I screwed it in place I noticed if I cut out the cork to fit up to the new plywood it would match up almost exactly. Can you say "LUCKY".
The plywood screwed in place prior to cork.
View attachment 8718
This is the cork weighted down with just a few heavy power tools and scrap plywood.
View attachment 8719
Here is the new cork with the lines redrawn on it. Waiting for the track crew to come in and get to work.
View attachment 8720
More on it's way...
After I screwed it in place I noticed if I cut out the cork to fit up to the new plywood it would match up almost exactly. Can you say "LUCKY". The plywood screwed in place prior to cork.
View attachment 8718
This is the cork weighted down with just a few heavy power tools and scrap plywood.
View attachment 8719
Here is the new cork with the lines redrawn on it. Waiting for the track crew to come in and get to work.
View attachment 8720
More on it's way...
These next few pictures are of the track just temporarily tacked in place so I could eye up the curves going into the turntable, then I marked the center lines.
View attachment 8736
View attachment 8737
It also helped me locate the base of the coaling tower I'm going to start building soon. The rectangle outline is the base, and you can see the dotted center lines I made.
View attachment 8738
View attachment 8736
View attachment 8737
It also helped me locate the base of the coaling tower I'm going to start building soon. The rectangle outline is the base, and you can see the dotted center lines I made.
View attachment 8738
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OldGettysk
Running the MC & Buffalo
Two thumbs up !!!!
Thanks guys,
The track crew is finally ready to lay some ties and rails.
I would line up the TT bridge to the spot where the tracks intersected the pit edge, and then I would eye up the incoming track to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Here are the 1st 2 tracks coming onto the TT. That's an Athearn Genesis F-7 sitting on the bridge.
View attachment 8739
This is the first run on the table.
F-7 takes a spin
This is the outside storage tracks. The 2 tracks on each side of the pin vise have not been trimmed back yet. You can see them overhanging the pit edge.
View attachment 8740
Once I trimmed the rail to the very edge of the pit, I filed the rail ends to almost a point to make the wheels transition easier from the bridge to the surrounding tracks.
After I installed all the roundhouse tracks I ran a set of buss wires over to the area. I dropped feeders down from ever rail, red and blue pairs. I used the 3M suitcase connectors to attach them. I really like these connectors, easy and reliable (so far). If I had to solder all of those wires under the layout I would have been driven nuts (although it's not a very far drive anyway).
View attachment 8741
This is what the TT area looked like just before I left my Dad's house for this trip.
View attachment 8742
All of the tracks around the table were programmed and indexed to the bridge. I had to index it to each side of the bridge. I found this Walther's Turntable a very nice kit to install, program and use. A nice investment if you want a turntable for your layout.
Here's a few videos of the TT.
Here's my newer K-4 pulling into the roundhouse.
K-4 going home
The track crew is finally ready to lay some ties and rails.
I would line up the TT bridge to the spot where the tracks intersected the pit edge, and then I would eye up the incoming track to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Here are the 1st 2 tracks coming onto the TT. That's an Athearn Genesis F-7 sitting on the bridge.
View attachment 8739
This is the first run on the table.
F-7 takes a spin
This is the outside storage tracks. The 2 tracks on each side of the pin vise have not been trimmed back yet. You can see them overhanging the pit edge.
View attachment 8740
Once I trimmed the rail to the very edge of the pit, I filed the rail ends to almost a point to make the wheels transition easier from the bridge to the surrounding tracks.
After I installed all the roundhouse tracks I ran a set of buss wires over to the area. I dropped feeders down from ever rail, red and blue pairs. I used the 3M suitcase connectors to attach them. I really like these connectors, easy and reliable (so far). If I had to solder all of those wires under the layout I would have been driven nuts (although it's not a very far drive anyway).
View attachment 8741
This is what the TT area looked like just before I left my Dad's house for this trip.
View attachment 8742
All of the tracks around the table were programmed and indexed to the bridge. I had to index it to each side of the bridge. I found this Walther's Turntable a very nice kit to install, program and use. A nice investment if you want a turntable for your layout.
Here's a few videos of the TT.
Here's my newer K-4 pulling into the roundhouse.
K-4 going home
Last edited by a moderator:
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