A Challenge: Designing A new modular layout section

[torikoos]

Thank you Jonte. When I started out I could not begin to imagine what it would become to represent , but it gives more value to it to me. To be honest, it gave me additional resolve to get it reasonably finished ( and it isn't finished yet)

Scenery wise my main influences were Jon Grant's sweet home Alabama , and the Algash by Mike Cofalone ( nice article about it in the current MRH magazine ( January 2014), along with bits of myself.

I will work on it some more in the near future.

Koos

[jonte]

I'll look forward to that, Koos.

Incidentally, did you persevere with the Roco track? It certainly looks good; how do the locos perform across the turnouts?

Hope you don't mind me asking.

Regards,

Jonte.

[torikoos]

Hi Jonte,

Yes the roco track is used along with atlas turnouts and one peco. The atlas turnouts are ok but it is very hard to attach a wire to the frog ( they are designed for a screw terminal which is awful , but the chemical blackening process used on the frog makes soldering a nightmare so for that reason I don't think I'll use them again, btw these are atlas ' super track', which is more detailed than their basic range called custom track )

The roco flex is great and highly detailed ( as is to be expected from Roco) but it has European tie sizes and distances, for a us railroad it is more realistic to use Peco code 83 for example . That has the proper tie size and spacing, and uses rail spikes and tie plates, instead of large bolts as is the case on the roco track ( common in Europe) .
I chose roco mainly for its availibilty. However I will try to use US style track for my next projects exclusively. ( peco probably).

Koos

[faraway]

....The atlas turnouts are ok but it is very hard to attach a wire to the frog....

I had the same problem when I had to attach a wire to the frog of my first Atlas switch some years go. A couple go Germans wrote in a German forum they had no problem soldering a wire to the frog. I ruined one switch due to overheat and got lousy soldering on another one.
I stopped soldering after that experience and use a small brass screw (about M1.3) and a nut only. Soldering the wire to the end of the screw is easy of course.

[torikoos]

Yes I think I will have to give in and use a screw. The wires are not attached properly so some of my frogs are still not powered, causing some issues with short loco's etc. I don't understand why atlas did this on an otherwise good looking turnout.

Koos

[jonte]

Thanks, Koos, for sharing that (and Reinhard too).

'Tis indeed a minefield out there!!

Btw: Re the new Code 83 Peco range: I read recently that the distance from the crossing nose (frog) to the far edge of each check rail (check rail clearance?) does not conform to NMRA standards. I wonder what the realities are i.e. significant or not?

Time will tell, I suppose. Nevertheless, good looking track work as you point out.

Although of limited experience in such matters, and I realise their not RTR, so far the only track I've seen - on video anyway - that gives consistently smooth running across turnouts is the Fast tracks range. I've also heard of Chad Valley but not seen any footage of their track in operation. Their range (Fast Tracks) of handy tools and jigs appear to be excellent products, however, they're a little pricey so I suppose one would have to be building a layout of significant size to justify the initial outlay. Love to have a bash though

Jonte

[torikoos]

To be honest, I've read the same, but so far I haven't had any issues with them. As long as your wheels are in gauge etc, it seems not to have an impact, but others might have different experiences.
Yes Fast track stuff is nice, but as you say, the initial outlay (incl jigs etc) is a bit pricey indeed. I think once you build 16 plus turnouts of one size, you start to save money. Less than that and you'll just have to view it as an investment in the hobby and get the enjoyment of building your own without thinking of the costs too much.

A few more pictures:


Western Union 21 sept 2013 by K2K Koos, on Flickr


Western Union 21 sept 2013 by K2K Koos, on Flickr


Western Union 21 sept 2013 by K2K Koos, on Flickr

Koos

[jonte]

Thanks, Koos.

Top drawer ballasting and vegetation. The trees are especially convincing.

Jonte