Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« on: July 17, 2008, 10:29:51 AM » |
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Hi everyone.
Well, after much deliberation and tweaking, I have settled on my 1st Z-scale layout (well 1st layout - full stop/period). The approach to the loco shed could still change but the main loop won't. I am still not sure about signals but, as and when they are finalised, they will be semi-automatically controlled - hence the plethora of train detector rails. The first length of track is pinned down ready for ballasting (though goodness knows when); I'm dreading it! I know the layout could do with a lot more storage tracks but its purpose is to test the station concept, not to give an hour long display at an exhibition.
And, I would like to thank the Anyrail people for being part of my 'team'.
Best wishes to all,
Chris.
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David
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« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2008, 10:26:00 PM » |
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Hi Chris!
Impressive and well thought out plan you've got there!
Are you already in the building phase? And if so, do you keep a log on your website?
One thing worries me slightly, can you reach 60cm to fix something at the back of your layout?
Or does the table stand a bit from the wall so you can walk around it...
One more tip: work out the signals as soon as you can! I had a lot of trouble adding them afterwards, especially combined with the automatic train control.
David.
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2008, 10:46:21 PM » |
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Hi David; thanks for the response.
At the moment it is against a wall, but the idea is to have it free-standing. I was so appalled at the standard of modelling (some was excellent though) at an exhibition I attended last October that I felt that I could possibly do better myself even as an absolute beginner. That was last October and it has taken thus far to get started.
If I ever do get to exhibit it at one of our local shows, it will, of course, be operated from the back (top) side and any problem in the station will require the operator (me) to come round to the front. I will be putting up photos on my website but not until there is something worth showing. I will also have to update the various drawings that are there at the moment.
As far as the signals are concerned, I sent off my plan to he help desk of a society of which I am a member. Hopefully someone should be looking at it as I write. (They don't have a website at the moment but I am working on that.)
Best wishes,
Chris.
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« Last Edit: July 17, 2008, 10:54:05 PM by Chris »
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kimbo
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« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2008, 10:41:38 AM » |
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Looking really good, well conceived, it looks like you've gone very far down the conception path!
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Kim
Living in: Brussels, Belgium
DRail user since: 26/12/2007
Dream layout: An HO-Scale freelance layout set in an imaginary European country located close to Belgium, Germany, and Netherlands
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2008, 12:18:35 AM » |
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Hi guys.
Well, it's a strange thing - I laid all three station roads on Saturday and mocked up the east end throat. First thing I found was that I had to move or remove some of the 'special' tracks because the contact blocks/solenoids that stick out of the sides of the rails interfered with adjacent tracks. I bet none of the design applications tell you about that!
Today I built the east end throat. Well, 'tried to' would be a better way of putting it. In spite of what AnyRail said, it just would not line up and I was left with a 1cm gap at one point and strained joints elsewhere. So it was out with the good ole' Marklin Gleisanlagen-Buch, 15 minutes amending the design, and all is now laid ready for wiring and ballasting. A couple of not-very-good photos can be seen on my website. I'll do the west end throat in the next couple of days.
But, my goodness, all those Marklin contact plates make a real mess. There is a whole conglomeration of them at the east end of the down platform and relief roads. :o(
Well, that's all for now. I've appended the modified track plan.
Best wishes to all,
Chris.
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« Last Edit: August 11, 2008, 12:20:30 AM by Chris »
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David
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« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2008, 10:09:16 AM » |
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Indeed, all these blocks sticking out of the track could be problematic. Most of the time you can get away with it by laying the part the other way around, but for turnouts that's not an option of course. Some manufacturers allow you to put the motor at either side of a turnout, or even under the board. Unfortunately, as far as I know, Märklin Z does not allow that very easily.
I'm sorry to hear that you were left with a 1cm gap. In Z, that's a lot! Could you tell where that gap occurred, and if that points to an error in the definition of these curved turnouts in AnyRail?
David.
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2008, 01:55:45 PM » |
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Hi David.
Sorry, it was not AnyRail's problem. Originally all three station roads were supposed to be uncut 660mm lengths but having rechecked, I see that two of them had actually been lengthened to 660.3mm and that must have been the source of the discrepancy. The difference was so small that it was not noticeable on the drawing.
I have found AnyRail to be very accurate and that is why I was so surprised that there was a discrepancy. It would probably have all worked if I had cut back the up (east to west) road but I didn't discover that until after I had redesigned the throat layout. Hopefully the west end layout will work OK as it is, in essence, the mirror image of the east end.
BTW, I have appended the first draft plan for the extension board. Note that the 3 'power feed' racks at the bottom left are in fact a Reversing Loop Set.
All the best,
Chris.
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2008, 02:11:16 PM » |
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Hello again.
A quick check on the geometry of the curved points (right hand) shows it to be spot on. I have also checked the error flagging for the overlength 660mm tracks and, although it was on the colour didn't change to red. I guess that .3mm really isn't significant. I seem to remember you writing once that there was a certain amount of tolerance in the aligning of track and I can only assume that that was the problem. I cannot think of any other reason.
All the best,
Chris.
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2008, 11:31:10 AM » |
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Hi Everyone. One criticism of my layout was that there are not nearly enough tracks in the 'fiddle yard'. (The person concerned has 20 tracks all for a single track Swiss main line exhibition layout!) So, as a possible future expansion to the layout, I have sketched out a second board, the same size as the main board, with extra holding loops (see file below). The main board was modified to take this into account (three tracks running off the left edge and an additional crossover between the relief road and the down platform. [I have already posted the draft for this below. I should read what I have already written before posting!] Hopefully I will finish laying the station tracks (including replacing one dodgy curved turnout) this week, at which point I will take a break before tackling the holding loops at the rear of the layout. For the time being there are just two tracks along the back joining the two ends of the station. Latest updates on my website at http://trains.manvell.org.uk/z-scale/layout/ (note new address). Best wishes to all, Chris. |
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2008, 11:59:22 AM » |
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Hi All. On Saturday my layout had its first outing at an exhibition in Inverness (capital of the Highlands of Scotland). It was a great success with very few problems (mainly 2'C1' locos not being able to pull into the east end of the station due to sloping table - I hope). Rather than clutter up the forum with photos, have a look at my website to see what the public saw. Enjoy. (I did.) Best wishes to all and a special thanks to AnyRail, Chris. |
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David
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« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2008, 04:27:33 PM » |
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Hi Chris,
Congratulations with your successful performance!
Can you share some more details? Was it crowded, what did people think of your layout (some are always amazed when they see Z scale!).
I heard that they'll move to a much bigger venue next year. If that's to give you some more room, you'll be very busy this year!
David.
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2008, 07:12:39 PM » |
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Hi David, everyone.
As there was no let up on my stand (right next to the door into the upper hall) and I didn't have a helper I was hardly aware of what else was going on, even on teh next stand. All I can say is that the Henschel-Wegmann-Zug hardly had a break all day. And apart from when someone knocked the stand and derailed some of the smaller stock, didn't let me down once. Indeed, the only problems were those I mentioned and the fact that I had to shave away part of the Faller platforms as they fouled the coupling rods on the B VI loco.
Reactions to the layout were all very positive, especially considering that I only started building seriously mid July. The kids loved it and were fascinated by the small size. I was surprised how may knew what gauge it was, at at the number of club members who admitted to owning a few items of Z scale.
Yes they are going to bigger premises next year. The hall was not suited to disabled access and having it on two floors made it difficult for setting up.
My next date is for the Elgin Model Show on 22nd/23rd November. I am hoping that by then I will have all the track laid and at lease part of it controlled electrically, including switched section and points. I am also booked for Inverness next year and hope that the layout will be fully operational and that most of the landscape will be in place even if it hasn't been painted etc. Still, that is a long way away.
Best wishes to everyone,
Chris.
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kimbo
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« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2008, 09:26:38 PM » |
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Congratulations on your success in any case  |
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Kim
Living in: Brussels, Belgium
DRail user since: 26/12/2007
Dream layout: An HO-Scale freelance layout set in an imaginary European country located close to Belgium, Germany, and Netherlands
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Chris
Jr. Member
Posts: 87
K.Bay C II
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« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2008, 01:09:29 PM » |
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Hi All.
Being somewhat dissatisfied with my original design for my extension board, I had a total rethink last night and came up with a new design. The sidings in the reverse loop can act as a display area rather than being hidden. I am not sure, at this stage whether I will put the direction changeover switches into the sidings or use the Marklin system inside the tunnel.
All the best,
Chris.
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« Last Edit: September 26, 2008, 04:59:47 PM by Chris »
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