joefryfry's layout - The Waynesburg Southern

[joefryfry]

The Digitrax auto reverse has a trim pot to modify the sensitivity for switching the polarity... if your using that one, then you could just adjust it so it makes the switch properly. It works great with the MRC system that I see your using (I use their entry level Prodigy Express unit myself)

I see you built the same bridge I did, looks great!

I found my reversers from Tony's, so I may use one of them when I hook the loop back up. I am using Prodigy Express and MRC reversers. I've found their products to be reliable. Would you be able to explain to me how I change the sensitivity setting for switching the polarity? Thanks.

[Wiredup]

Well I know on the digitrax auto-reverse modual they have a trim pot on it that you can use to adjust the sensitivity...but I'm not so sure on the MRC ones. All the pics I can find of the MRC unit seem to be a bunch of wires running out of a wrapped PC board.

[Brutus]

Oh no, you removed the helix? It looked awesome!

Wikipedia has a lot of info on relays, but it sounds like this is a simple adjustment on the board somewhere?

[joefryfry]

Oh no, you removed the helix? It looked awesome!

Wikipedia has a lot of info on relays, but it sounds like this is a simple adjustment on the board somewhere?

Yep, the helix is gone. I was very pleased with the helix itself, but I can do what my goals are without it, and have more space for scenery to boot. Plus the overall look of the layout will improve dramatically. I'm all ready happier with the new design and should be laying down roadbed tomorrow. Thanks.

[joefryfry]

I am having a problem with one of the reverse loops. There is a loop on the lower level that is wired the same way, both with MRC reversers that worked fine on my HO layout. But on this upper level, the train always goes into the loop fine, but stalls on the way out, something pulsates, and then it goes. I may have the insulated gaps too close to the turnout, but I would like some feedback before I start pulling things up. Wait to see the video before you comment. Thanks.

I finally got the revised track layed and hooked up everything. Turns out I was having the same problem. I was easily able to find my Tony's Trains reversers that I got and hooked one of them up and that seemed to fix the problem. Must be the MRC one I had on the upper level went bad somehow. This reverser makes no noise at all when it switches polarity. I may switch the other unit, but why fix it if it's not broken. At least I have a spare. I will post some new pics and a video within the next few days. Thanks all.

[nomad]

You have trains running again. That's good news.

Loren

[LynnB]

A good reverser makes the hobby so much nicer.

[joefryfry]

Here's the revised layout. I'll have a video uploading to youtube and will post a link when it's up. This version is a much better use of space and a smooth transition to the upper level and the train looks great climbing that long, curved grade.

[LynnB]

Those risers are great to work with.

[joefryfry]

Those risers are great to work with.

Something in me doesn't like using them, but they are so easy to use, I almost have to. There is a video up of a mainline run here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHsKxWgAhMM Enjoy!

[LynnB]

I would recommend lifting the track from the risers and covering the risers with plaster and paper towel or teri clothe then putting the rail back down with white glue or silicone that way your ballast won't be falling through the riser gaps, bin there done that.

[joefryfry]

I would recommend lifting the track from the risers and covering the risers with plaster and paper towel or teri clothe then putting the rail back down with white glue or silicone that way your ballast won't be falling through the riser gaps, bin there done that.

I've done plaster and ballast after placing track on the risers before and didn't have any trouble. It just takes more time that way. I thought about plastering first this time, but I just wanted to get the track done. I'm done working on the layout probably for a while. Money's tight and the baby is coming so I have many other things to be getting done. Thanks.

[Fluesheet]

Those risers are great to work with.

Something in me doesn't like using them, but they are so easy to use, I almost have to. There is a video up of a mainline run here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHsKxWgAhMM Enjoy!

Nice progress! One comment on the video - answer the phone!

Matt

[joefryfry]

Nice progress! One comment on the video - answer the phone!

Matt

Tell me about it. A phone sits next to my computer that I was posting this video on, and sometimes that phone doesn't work. I was playing the video, heard the phone, thought the phone next to me was broken, ran upstairs and it quit. It took until I played the video again to realize it was in the video. Duh. I hate phones, especially cell phones.

[joefryfry]

Well, summer is over, and now high school football is over and I'm back at it. I added landforms and fascia. I had to do the fascia now since I am building the scenery into it. The fascia was pretty simple and now my turnout switches are built into it, which is nice. Much easier to move the dog crates now. I would like to put a skirt on it, but can't. I use cardboard web for landforms. I've done the stacked foam before, and I don't know how anyone can stand sanding and dealing with the foam bits. Plus my dogs will eat them. I've been back on here and looking through the magazines for inspiration. I should be doing plaster cloth soon, then paint for the base and fascia, then to some real modeling. Here's the progress: