My Settle & Carlisle style viaduct - OO Gauge Layout

[reddragon]

Well, the vote was 3 to 0 to do the loop!

I completed the loop which used the entire box of track, only a few short bits remain, so I need another box now.

Here it is the pictures

Viaduct approach



Viaduct - yes I need to realign a bit



Lemmington



Transition curves







The gap to P9/10



I tested the loops & noted my old Lima locos do not like transitions between power sections.

Still a lot to do, but to run each loco on each section will take a while!!

 

[Cowley]

I’ll say it again, those sweeping curves look wonderful!
Great work mister.

 

[Iskra]

Those curves do indeed look excellent and I can't wait to see a few long trains negotiating them!

 

[Peter C]

I think I should just get a card saying "See posts from @Cowley and @Iskra" - the only thing I can say would echo their posts in saying you've done a good job there @reddragon! The curves look brilliant and the separation of the two pairs of two tracks is a cool addition.

-Peter

 

[Cowley]

I think I should just get a card saying "See posts from @Cowley and @Iskra" - the only thing I can say would echo their posts in saying you've done a good job there @reddragon! The curves look brilliant and the separation of the two pairs of two tracks is a cool addition.

-Peter

Good that we’re in agreement.

 

[reddragon]

Today we had trains running on all 4 loops. The route length and train lengths are really sorting out the men from the boys loco wise!

Once the sidings are built to clear the station, one train starting in the suburban station, running all 4 loops will be able to run for 190m non-stop without using a track twice!

The 24 & 86 cannot hack it, whilst the 42 & 50 struggle. Ebay beckons for my 24, 86 & 110, all 1980's low power Hornby.

The Hattons / Legomanbiffo chipped class 66 takes 20m to stop from full speed! Long trains do force you to drive like a real railway. A fast approach with 10 coaches / 14 wagons is a no no.

Some old locos that pick up on the motor one side & the trailer the other track are stalling on power transitions - they didn't before.

A few coaches like to derail and un-couplings occur too!

Plenty of tweaking needed!

 

[Iskra]

That’s great that you have trains running, not so good that you need a new fleet...

DCC forces you to drive like the real railway too, it can take some getting used to- much less danger for you on a loop but I’ve had some near misses on my end to end runs

 

[Cowley]

That’s great that you have trains running, not so good that you need a new fleet...

DCC forces you to drive like the real railway too, it can take some getting used to- much less danger for you on a loop but I’ve had some near misses on my end to end runs

You can alter the CV settings to change the acceleration and deceleration characteristics but I wasn’t able to do that until I bought a higher end controller. Once I’d done it though it made a huge difference to my fleet.
My 37 for example picked up like snail and from top speed it took almost an entire circuit to stop!

 

[reddragon]

You can alter the CV settings to change the acceleration and deceleration characteristics but I wasn’t able to do that until I bought a higher end controller. Once I’d done it though it made a huge difference to my fleet.
My 37 for example picked up like snail and from top speed it took almost an entire circuit to stop!

I bought the 66 exactly because it drives like a real loco. Apparently there are brakes to slow it down quicker, another function! It works because I have long runs on a loop, no good on a tiny line = #crash#

 

[Iskra]

You can alter the CV settings to change the acceleration and deceleration characteristics but I wasn’t able to do that until I bought a higher end controller. Once I’d done it though it made a huge difference to my fleet.
My 37 for example picked up like snail and from top speed it took almost an entire circuit to stop!

I think I will need a better controller before I can do that, all my loco's are fine however, it was just initially getting used to the driving style that was a challenge and learning that some of the commands are slightly different from different manufacturers.

I bought the 66 exactly because it drives like a real loco. Apparently there are brakes to slow it down quicker, another function! It works because I have long runs on a loop, no good on a tiny line = #crash#

The F2 button on my controller applies the brakes (and sound) when appropriate, it's definitely worth using! Luckily my controller also comes with a big red emergency stop button that has saved the day once or twice before

 

[Cowley]

Yep same on mine @Iskra. Timing it right with the air brake is very satisfying.

 

[Peter C]

Today we had trains running on all 4 loops. The route length and train lengths are really sorting out the men from the boys loco wise!

Once the sidings are built to clear the station, one train starting in the suburban station, running all 4 loops will be able to run for 190m non-stop without using a track twice!

The 24 & 86 cannot hack it, whilst the 42 & 50 struggle. Ebay beckons for my 24, 86 & 110, all 1980's low power Hornby.

The Hattons / Legomanbiffo chipped class 66 takes 20m to stop from full speed! Long trains do force you to drive like a real railway. A fast approach with 10 coaches / 14 wagons is a no no.

Some old locos that pick up on the motor one side & the trailer the other track are stalling on power transitions - they didn't before.

A few coaches like to derail and un-couplings occur too!

Plenty of tweaking needed!

Sounds as though you've got quite the layout now @reddragon! I'd be interested to see the eBay listings for any items you sell (if you do sell them, of course).
My Class 121 has one of those fancy new (they're new to me at least) Bachmann Next 18 decoders in it, and it's really quite fun to try and stop it in the station from speed, so I know what you mean about driving like the real railway It all might as well be magic to me, though!
The main thing I've found about model railways is the need for trial and error (my layout is a prime example of this really!). Changing little things bit by bit seems to help locate, or at least fix, issues. One of the main issues on my layout is stock derailing on a point; never used to do it so that's a real Countdown conundrum.

-Peter

 

[reddragon]

Sounds as though you've got quite the layout now @reddragon! I'd be interested to see the eBay listings for any items you sell (if you do sell them, of course).
My Class 121 has one of those fancy new (they're new to me at least) Bachmann Next 18 decoders in it, and it's really quite fun to try and stop it in the station from speed, so I know what you mean about driving like the real railway It all might as well be magic to me, though!
The main thing I've found about model railways is the need for trial and error (my layout is a prime example of this really!). Changing little things bit by bit seems to help locate, or at least fix, issues. One of the main issues on my layout is stock derailing on a point; never used to do it so that's a real Countdown conundrum.

-Peter

Model Railways require ongoing maintenance like real railways. Loco servicing, track cleaning & adjustments, power issues and now IT issues added!

As James May found, running a model on full power under load for long distances can be terminal! I try to limit my locos to a lap of 2 at the time.

 

[Peter C]

Model Railways require ongoing maintenance like real railways. Loco servicing, track cleaning & adjustments, power issues and now IT issues added!

Oh my! I dread to think how much effort normally goes into a garden model railway; indoors is difficult enough!

As James May found, running a model on full power under load for long distances can be terminal! I try to limit my locos to a lap of 2 at the time.

Ah yes - wasn't that his Barnstaple-Bideford project? I seem to remember he raced some Germans in a second attempt...

-Peter

 

[reddragon]

Today I made the harsh decision to sell my last 2 working locos that are DC only. Despite sentimental value, I have no future purpose for them at all.

My Hornby-Dublo A4 and my Joeuff 40.106 will be listed at the next £1 selling fees offer.

Also a Lima BG & an old Hornby VTG van will go as part of my next update plan.

 

[Iskra]

Today I made the harsh decision to sell my last 2 working locos that are DC only. Despite sentimental value, I have no future purpose for them at all.

My Hornby-Dublo A4 and my Joeuff 40.106 will be listed at the next £1 selling fees offer.

Also a Lima BG & an old Hornby VTG van will go as part of my next update plan.

I'm sure you can put the funds you secure towards something you will appreciate more!

Selling redundant stock is part of the hobby and a good way of (part) funding new additions. I'm always doing it!

 

[reddragon]

I'm sure you can put the funds you secure towards something you will appreciate more!

Selling redundant stock is part of the hobby and a good way of (part) funding new additions. I'm always doing it!

I fund much of my railway via eBay sales, helped by years of thoughtful collecting

 

[Cowley]

It’s great the way things hold their value and it kind of takes the sting out of investing in it a bit.
Kind of.
Honest...

 

[reddragon]

I have managed to get another box of track from another supplier new to me! Due next week so I can complete the western approach.

My Lima BG sold on eBay very quickly, but I still have a van on there. Today 40.106 and LNER 4468 Mallard list at 8pm. An era is to pass!

 

[Peter C]

I assume these are the listings - I hope it's alright to share them?

HORNBY DUBLO 2 RAIL 2211 A4 LOCO & TENDER BOXED MALLARD repainted Golden Fleece | eBay

Condition is "Used".

www.ebay.co.uk

Jouef 891352 BR 1Co-Co1 Class 40.106 Green - 00 Gauge | eBay

Original loco repainted as 40106 when new. Ran on exhibition layouts in the 1980's.

www.ebay.co.uk

-Peter

 

[reddragon]

I assume these are the listings - I hope it's alright to share them?

HORNBY DUBLO 2 RAIL 2211 A4 LOCO & TENDER BOXED MALLARD repainted Golden Fleece | eBay

Condition is "Used".

www.ebay.co.uk

Jouef 891352 BR 1Co-Co1 Class 40.106 Green - 00 Gauge | eBay

Original loco repainted as 40106 when new. Ran on exhibition layouts in the 1980's.

www.ebay.co.uk

-Peter

Yes you can share or bid . . . !

My Hornby 86 passed its haul an 8 car train test so a stay of execution. My Class 110 though being outside my modelling interest is at risk next for DCC to DC un-conversion & eBay

 

[Peter C]

Yes you can share or bid . . . !

Ah excellent. I'm probably not going to be able to bid unfortunately but I'll be watching them closely.

My Hornby 86 passed its haul an 8 car train test so a stay of execution. My Class 110 though being outside my modelling interest is at risk next for DCC to DC un-conversion & eBay

Lovely - always nice to find something which works. Shame about the 110 but there's little point in keeping things you're not going to use.

-Peter

 

[reddragon]

Ah excellent. I'm probably not going to be able to bid unfortunately but I'll be watching them closely.


Lovely - always nice to find something which works. Shame about the 110 but there's little point in keeping things you're not going to use.

-Peter

I also have the problem with the older locos which pick up on the motor one track & the trailer for the other track. They stop on section changes, an issue as I have 3 sections!

I an going to add capacitors to the ones I plan to keep. Any ideas why this happens? Anyone!!

Just posted Q on RMweb

 

[Cowley]

I also have the problem with the older locos which pick up on the motor one track & the trailer for the other track. They stop on section changes, an issue as I have 3 sections!

I an going to add capacitors to the ones I plan to keep. Any ideas why this happens? Anyone!!

Just posted Q on RMweb

Hm no, although it’s late now and I’d probably be able to think about it in the morning with a clear head.

 

[reddragon]

I assume these are the listings - I hope it's alright to share them?

HORNBY DUBLO 2 RAIL 2211 A4 LOCO & TENDER BOXED MALLARD repainted Golden Fleece | eBay

Condition is "Used".

www.ebay.co.uk

Jouef 891352 BR 1Co-Co1 Class 40.106 Green - 00 Gauge | eBay

Original loco repainted as 40106 when new. Ran on exhibition layouts in the 1980's.

www.ebay.co.uk

-Peter

Mallard has sold already, just 40.106 & the van left.

Maybe I'll de-DCC convert the class 110 next to sell with some older coaches.

 

[Peter C]

Mallard has sold already, just 40.106 & the van left.

Maybe I'll de-DCC convert the class 110 next to sell with some older coaches.

Oh wow - that went quickly! £40 isn't bad for that engine.

-Peter

 

[Cowley]

Oh wow - that went quickly! £40 isn't bad for that engine.

-Peter

That’s a good price. Well done @reddragon.

 

[reddragon]

Oh wow - that went quickly! £40 isn't bad for that engine.

-Peter

I got £73.50 . That's about right for it.

Got £8 for the old Lima BG too

 

[Cowley]

Even better!

 

[Peter C]

I got £73.50 . That's about right for it.

Got £8 for the old Lima BG too

Oh - as @Cowley says; even better! eBay shows £40 for me. I'll be watching the Class 40 with interest.

-Peter