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Following much interest in
Derek’s displayed models we have decided to use up some spare space
and build a new Model Railway. We hope to have this on view to any guests
wishing to see it sometime in 2010. It will take many months to complete.
Building of the railway has
commenced during 2009.
The Model Railway will be DCC
and run locomotives fitted with sound chips for realistic running of
trains. The layout will not be as big as I had hoped to allow for storage,
but at the moment it is 12 ft by 5ft constructed on 3 levels and growing.
I intend to build this layout
to exhibition standards, but only using recycled materials, and some
surprising natural products from the house and the countryside. More about
this later!
The layout will be 3 layouts in
one! Comprising a country terminus based very much on “Swanage”
in Dorset, which will hold 5/6 coach trains. A Stone Terminal based on my
childhood home in Fareham, Hampshire and a busy Junction from another home
in Kent. The good thing is that they are all connected together, but will
look like separate layouts!
There will be no tight curves
on show, points and crossings will all be the longest ones you can buy, and
motorised (around 15 eventually).
I wanted a convincing working
railway, but also one that I could sit back and watch the trains go
by........
DCC Running
Don’t let anyone tell you
DCC is just two wires and easy to run. I have wires running everywhere
under the baseboard. Two buss wires leading into a great bundle of them,
for point motors, lights etc.
On testing some freshly laid track
(Peco Code 100) I used an old
Loco on 12v dc to check the connections – great until I put a
couple of new DCC Locos on track! You don’t expect new locos to have
such poor pickups. The Bachmann 37 is particularly bad even running over
live frog points. I will need to look at this. The Bachmann Class 20 is
excellent despite being shorter. Bachmann class 57 is brilliant, so is the
Hornby Class 60. Not had any time to try other loco’s as yet. Steam
on the way!
Factory Junction (Lower Level)
Trackwork on the lower level is
complete, Track motors have been added and hooked up to my Hornby Elite.
Not as easy as I had hoped. The Peco point return springs are too tight and
cause the motors to lock up. Fixed the problem by easing the springs and
using a little oil to relieve the tightness. Many people have had problems
using Hornby’s Accessory Module – Not with me! It’s great
to use.
Ballasting started on low level
and 10 Large Peco points all hooked up to 3 Hornby DCC Accessory Decoders.
Update 14/07/2009
Side walls around 4ft in length
constructed with Tunnel Portal (East End) all assembled and glued in place.
Gilder Bridge side wall added, embankment started, and more testing using
different locomotives. Deltic 55001 “St Paddy” is pictured
above testing the track, It’s fantastic sound pulling 4/5 coaches
takes me back to the good old days when it roars past. I Now have 15 Bachmann
Deltic’s – where is it going to stop!
Terminus (High Level)
Track added – 24th
June 2009! Work in Progress
Stabling point (Scenic end of railway)
Nothing to say at the moment
Come back soon!
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Locomotives currently on display
around our House
 
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Factory Junction (3rd week of
progress)
Factory Junction (Testing using my
Bachmann Class 57)
Factory Junction (Sidewall added
10/07/2009)
Terminus Track Testing with a
Class20, Class37 and Class57
Factory Junction ballasting started
with track weathering
Ballasting north end of Factory
Junction (June 29th 2009)
A Hornby MGR hopper weathered with
real coal added
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