I don't think it really qualifies for the "Layout Construction" board, but today I finally got to put together an simple oval of track on my desk and run a train!  Small potatoes, I know, but it's made me 

I had an initial false start in that my digital commuter set did exactly nothing out of the box.  Checked the wires, re-checked the wires, pushed all the possible buttons on the controller - nothing.  Finally, in desperation, popped the body off the loco, to find the decoder had shaken half-out of the socket in transit.  Re-seated, and everything sprang to life!

I've given it the appointed 30 minutes in each direction without a load while putting my MRS baseboard kit together, and now it happily trundles round the loop with a couple of maroon Mk 1s in tow.  The baseboard has a frame and legs individually assembled, once the glue is dry tomorrow (and my drill is recharged), I should be able to put it all together and pop the sheet of ply on top.

Happy days

Have fun. Looking forward to seeing some pics as it develops.

Well done Tim, its always nice to get things started, good luck with your project and please post pictures.

Hi Tim - you're in that dangerous position of running trains. It's a well known phenomenon that prevents progress

Hehe, as well as playing about with plans, I'm also thinking about ways of building them that don't cut into my ability to run trains for too long at a time!  I certainly can't afford to - nor am I ready to skills-wise - go out and buy up front all the point motors, working signals, DCC accessory controllers that I'd like to include eventually, without even thinking about rolling stock!  So, I need to do something I can add things to as I go along without ripping the whole lot up and starting again, or being "under construction - no trains" for years...

Tim,
I have always kept a basic loop of track that can be used for the times when layout building/design grinds to a halt.
It means you can run in that new loco, just watch a train going round, use it to program DCC decoders or whatever takes your fancy.
If it is made of the minimum radius you plan to use,it also confirms your rolling stock will go round the curves

Day 2: baseboard is complete, bar some bracing which I need a bigger drill bit to fit the bolts for.

I've put a longer test track down, this time including some points, and also having a try with some Woodland Scenics risers.  I'm pleased to report that she runs fine through the points in both directions, and up and down hills.


DSCF1126 by TimPelican, on Flickr


DSCF1127 by TimPelican, on Flickr


DSCF1128 by TimPelican, on Flickr


DSCF1129 by TimPelican, on Flickr

Nice work, what's going on the upper level, reckon there is space for a small goods yard up there 

I'm still on a basic oval running round the table till Mrs SJ shouts at me to put it away (the set that is, nothing sordid(.

What baseboard are you using, that looks very much like a door?

Job's a good 'un, Tim. The Farish 24 is probably one of the best locos they've ever made.

Lawrence: Thinking at the moment is to make it all a bit longer, trim some width off the upper section, split out into double tracks, and put a station up there.  Then some kind of good yard / carriage sidings / engine shed / something with shunting at the base level.  I'll post a picture and a write-up of my track-planning thoughts later.

Joe: It's an MRS kit, 5' x 2' ply top with a supporting box frame underneath, braced legs and castors.  The whole thing has been sized so the legs wheel in either side of my existing hobby desk and the baseboard sits well above it.  That way I don't take up any more room in the conservatory than I did before, but I can wheel it out into the middle of the room for a while if I want to build stuff at the desk or get underneath the board for the wiring.  Or just for better access on all sides of the board, I guess.

Quote from: newportnobby on December 27, 2011, 09:20:54 PM
Job's a good 'un, Tim. The Farish 24 is probably one of the best locos they've ever made.

I was playing with the CV`s on one of these this eve. The one I was experimenting with had a 'jerk' on start up (as if it was getting a lump of voltage to start the motor, then settling down to the correct speed. by adding momentum (cv`s 2&£) and adjusting the start up voltage (CV4) smoothed it out a lot!

if your using the bachman controller then you wont be able to adjust CV`s
If you have the ability to use function 7 then you can also dim the lights

Quote from: polo2k on December 27, 2011, 10:17:47 PM
If you have the ability to use function 7 then you can also dim the lights

I'm missing the joke here... mine has no lights

Oh yes it does ! Lights are usually F0 on the controller or it may have a dedicated button.

OK, now I feel stupid 

There's no mention on the data sheet, and I couldn't see any when I took it apart to re-seat the decoder.  Definitely on the list to try tomorrow!