New to N Gauge, help required

Started by mildon49, December 27, 2018, 03:13:59 PM

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Railwaygun

The UK model shop website lists all local clubs, reMR shops and shows in your area.

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Delboy

 :welcomesign:
You will find us a friendly and informative bunch. Good luck with whatever you choose as your track, but do a lot of research before laying your track on here, You-tube or the internet. You can learn from others the pitfalls to avoid before having a go. Best of luck.
She who must be obeyed says I am spending too much time on this forum. I love her dearly but what does she know?

mildon49

i never realised it would be like going back to school all this research :)

My idea for first set is....what i like, trains, carriages and wagons that i like and dont care about period and compatibility in real life.
Then i will move onto doing a recreation of something from my localish area (i am near brighton).

looking forward to get stuck in, going to work out track planning etc over the weekend, on that note....what do people use to plan track in n gauge?

Delboy

To plan my track I use Anyrail which does cost but is excellent. I believe Scarm is free and another option but have read that it is more difficult to use than Anyrail. Hope this helps.
She who must be obeyed says I am spending too much time on this forum. I love her dearly but what does she know?

RailGooner

Quote from: mildon49 on December 28, 2018, 02:25:41 PM
i never realised it would be like going back to school all this research :)
...

..
looking forward to get stuck in, going to work out track planning etc over the weekend, on that note....what do people use to plan track in n gauge?

There's a wealth of opinion archived within the forum Lee. A search for track planning software throws up many results including:

   https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1736.msg17629#msg17629

HTH

mildon49

Right thanks to you all so far.
I now know and sorting track, and much else beside.
I also been having fun in scram to work out layout.

Which leads me to another quest!
I have challenged myself to build a layout in 2 x 4 foot,
I want to get a train up a slope to give bit of height, is that possible on this size?

mildon49

Oh and of course I don't expect anyone to reply tonight!
Happy new year to you all
Lee

crewearpley40

i just lay my track on the board and arrange, pencil in curves, points, try seeing what fits where, as am not a fan of technology

ntpntpntp

To be honest I think attempting a gradient in that sort of space is ambitious but not impossible.  You'll find some of the pre-formed layouts offered by continental manufacturers achieve it in that sort of space but it does look very "train-set" like.

For example Noch's "Bergun" layout is 4x2 ish:
https://www.noch.com/en/product-categories/model-railways/preformed-layouts/fertiggelande-bergun.html

If you work on a ruling gradient of maybe 1 in 30 then you need a run of 6' to rise 2" which is the sort of clearance you need to get one track to bridge another.  The curves will be tight will will add further drag to the train and severely reduce the length and number of wagons you can expect a loco to be able to haul up the gradient.
Nick.   2021 celebrating the 25th anniversary of "Königshafen" exhibition layout!
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=50050.0

dannyboy

#24
Quote from: mildon49 on December 31, 2018, 04:38:21 PM

I have challenged myself to build a layout in 2 x 4 foot,
I want to get a train up a slope to give bit of height, is that possible on this size?

My first layout was in a 4' x 2' coffee table. The layout does have a gradient, but I can not tell you what it is at the moment, so, yes, it is possible.  :thumbsup:
The best way is to build a mock up of the layout and gradually add blocks or whatever under the track to create the incline and see what is possible.
David.
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DarrwestLU6

#25
Quote from: ntpntpntp on December 27, 2018, 04:00:27 PM

4) Electrically operated points is certainly possible. Peco sell motors for their points which mount underneath.  You may like to consider alternative track systems such as Kato Unitrack which have neat motors built into the point itself.  If you're going to change track systems, probably best  to do that before you invest in more Peco track?

Hi there and welcome to the Forum! It's a mine of information and friendly advice.

I love the Peco track myself. Just wanted to say if you build a layout where you can't get access from underneath for any reason or have limited space, Peco also do a surface mounted point motor that operates sideways - see https://peco-uk.com/products/side-mounted-turnout-motor - It is built for OO/HO but I have it working fine on my N gauge points. You just need to cut the mounting lugs off on the side nearest the point to get close enough and it'll fit. Or use a short stiff wire like a paperclip to connect the motor arm to the point, and you can then hide the point motor under a building, platform, scenery etc. This might suit a coffee table if you can't access from underneath.
Hogwarts to King's Cross - My layout under construction: http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=43358.msg536504#msg536504

DarrwestLU6

PS - If you have tight spaces BUT want to go multi-level then you could consider putting in a helix. You could hide some of it in a tunnel or behind a backscene? It's true though if you have tight curves you need to reduce the gradient. A good thread on this here: https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=41912.msg539768#msg539768 which covers the curve radii and inclines...
Hogwarts to King's Cross - My layout under construction: http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=43358.msg536504#msg536504

mildon49

right i have decided on layout order everything i need (for now to get me going....)
I have also built my own dc transformer and speed controller!
Now i want to power points etc, so need this elusive 16v ac power supply.....
has any one built their own 16v supply?

ntpntpntp

#28
Quote from: mildon49 on January 05, 2019, 05:47:34 PM
Now i want to power points etc, so need this elusive 16v ac power supply.....
has any one built their own 16v supply?

Yes, I simply used a readily available 240V - 16V step down transformer  (actually I used Gaugemaster  T1  twin 16V output transformer). The same transformers I use to power my controllers, so I have two of these transformers in my unit, plus another which drives a CDU for point power.


http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=GMC-T1

Obviously if you build your own it needs to be cased safely and earthed/fused etc.



Nick.   2021 celebrating the 25th anniversary of "Königshafen" exhibition layout!
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=50050.0

Bealman

That's a nice looking unit you've put together there!  :thumbsup:

Multiple outputs via banana sockets I guess, but can I ask what the heat shrinked connection is, please?

Actually, I wouldn't mind see a pic with the lid off!  :beers:
Vision over visibility. Bono, U2.

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