The wagons and 3d printed loads I mentioned in the last post arrived to add some more variety:
They're nicely made and can be easily swapped between wagons. You can also see another new addition above - a Sonic Models 56xx.
Unfortunately this arrived with some damage, which the seller was quick to part-refund to account for, but in addition I also found it had a slightly split gear. Sam at Sonic Models was quick to reply but unfortunately they don't have any spares for these now. So I've glued it with some AC and it seems to be holding for now. We'll see how it goes.
I've also decided I need some more magnets for the easishunt couplings - one in the fiddleyard, and one here in the runaround -
This will just make operations easier in the long term I think for shunting wagons back into the two sidings.
Otherwise that's it for now - I have a list of NEM pockets and couplings I need to buy to convert the rest of my rolling stock so that's my job for the rest of May I think whilst the weather is improving.
It's been a while since I last posted - but some more progress has been made, albeit not as much as I'd have liked.
First I replaced the cheap 12V power supply with a Gaugemaster WM1 - this is a 16V AC supply which splits into AC and DC feeds which powers the blocksignalling CDU nicely!
I then replaced the PWM controller entirely as I wasn't happy with the slow speed performance and didn't want to faff about adding in diodes etc to try and improve it. I've since obtained a handheld AGW-built Graham Farish controller to replace the W in the picture above (which lives on my shelf OO layout).
In the above I have fitted the magnets for the Dapol Easi-shunt couplings... so you know what's coming next.
Fitting them to all the rolling stock of course - of which I have ordered a few more pieces. I decided I needed some plank wagons, so I have a 3, 5 and 7 plank coming in BR grey with some 3D printed loads to add variety. I've also ordered an insulted van and a conflat.
I'll need to order some more easi-shunt couplings to say the least! And Dapol conversions packs to replace the Peco and GF coupling pockets.
After a couple of weeks away on holiday, today I completed the wiring of the point motors and Peco PL26 switches -
This was straight forward but a bit fiddly. However, despite adding the CDU, I then found when testing that there wasn't enough oomph being delivered to throw the point motors far enough. At first I thought the CDU wasn't powerful enough, but having tested instead with a Gaugemaster 16V AC supply, it worked perfectly. So, my 12V DC PSU clearly isn't enough.
That leaves a few options -
Replace the DC supply with something higher voltage - however this would then require some resistors to limit the supply to the track as 16-18V DC would too much for N gauge.
Replace the supply with a Gaugemaster WM1 - this seems like the best choice as it provides 12V DC still (0.75a) AND 16V AC concurrently, much like the typical train controller (Gaugemaster Combi etc). It would be relatively simple to swap out.
I think I'm going with the second option.
My next task is to glue down the track securely as it's still loose in a few places and undulating in height.
Today I made a start on the wiring - after getting the track down with the Peco PL10 motors attached -
I use some 3D printed covers I got off eBay to hide the massive holes that this method creates - I could've gone with Seep motors or similar and not had to make massive rectangular holes but I already had these PL10s from my old Ffarquhar layout.
Here are the components I'll be using -
PSU - 12v 2amp adapter
12v PWM speed controller from eBay - I've been through a few of these and this model delivered the best results, although would still benefit from a couple of diodes on the output to improve the slow speed control
Rotary reversing switch
Couple of 12v LEDs - amber to show power is connected, and red when power is being delivered to the track
Peco PL26 passing contact switches in a PL27 switch bank - two red levers will move pairs of points, the rest are black for single points
I've also ordered a small CDU which I hope I can use with the same power supply to deliver a bit of extra oomph and reliability.
First I located and installed the fixed components - speed, direction and power with the two LEDs in situ. The bank of point switches will sit on top neatly.
Wiring is fairly simple, just two wires after the PWM and rotary switch using chocolate block connectors to split it to the 3 track feeds. I'm waiting until the CDU arrives before I wire the points up.
Whilst I take my time with the construction, let's turn to rolling stock choices for this layout.
My N gauge collection is predominantly era 4 and 5, covering the western and london midland region. I'm envisaging that this branch line exists somewhere between the two, giving me more choice to mix and match locos. It's not too far out in the sticks though, as suburban coaches provide a daily service with an occasional autotrailer from a different town. Mixed goods trains arrive late in the day, to be handled in time for the early morning pick-up goods, which will allow just enough shunting to be of interest.
I created the stock boxes today, utilising again the handy 2.5L really useful boxes - I order pick and pluck foam with a 35mm depth from eBay and had some left over to make up two boxes.
This is how the box results using one half of the foam for each box, with the removed padding lining the gap to the right to provide another storage spot.
So what have I chosen?
Motive Power
Graham Farish 372-211A 3F Jinty BR Black (early)
Graham Farish 372-325 3MT BR Standard Tank BR Black (early)
Graham Farish 371-987 64xx Pannier BR Lined Green (late)
Graham Farish 372-625 2MT Ivatt BR Lined Green (late)
Dapol 2D-012-005 Class 22 BR Green (late)
Dapol 2D-009-003 Class 121 BR Green Bubblecar
Rolling Stock
Graham Farish 374-280A BR Mark 1 Suburban Composite
Graham Farish 374-311 BR Mark 1 Suburban Brake
Graham Farish 374-611 ex-GWR Hawksworth Autotrailer
3x Graham Farish 377-250 16t Mineral Wagons (unfitted)
Dapol NB002-BR Gunpowder Van
Dapol 2F-014-004 ex-GWR Fruit D
3x Graham Farish Bauxite Assorted Vans
Graham Farish 373-675A 14t Tanker Mobil Oil
Graham Farish 377-300A ex-LMS Brakevan (fitted)
Peco KNR-48 ex-Midland Brakevan (unfitted)
In truth, the locomotives are overkill - you could get away with less. My intention is to be able to run the layout as early BR where steam still ruled the roost, and then switch to post-withdrawal early Diesel with the Class 22 and bubblecar. Over time I can always add a bit more variety with conflats, grampus', different brake vans, etc.
All the locos are DCC Ready, but I intend to run the layout with DC control - it seems simpler to my mind with typically one engine in steam.
I hope soon to get the track down and wiring complete, but that's for next time.
This weekend I started a new project - whilst I try to sell my TT:120 layout - I wanted to build something simple in N gauge with a bit a operational play value. Whilst browsing some track plan books, I came across this Peco plan that briefly appeared and then disappeared from their track plan books -
Total size is 2.5ft x 2.5ft so easily storable and fits on the dining room table. Rolling stock requirements are modest - a tank engine and a passenger coach with a few wagons would be enough. You could alter eras by swapping out with a Class 22 and DMU.
I'll compile a separate entry with my rolling stock for this layout but for now it was a case of getting started with the baseboard construction. After building my DCC plank, I though foamboard was the way to go with this as well considering it's relatively small size.
After cutting to size, the pieces were glued in place with tacky PVA held in place with masking tape until dried. This results in a solid construction when dried whilst still remaining extremely lightweight. I gave my board a height of 4cm which should be sufficient for the Peco point motors I will be using.
After deciding to give up on TT:120 last time, I was left with a sturdy baseboard 5ft x 2.5ft and nothing to do with it.
Having acquired some cheap bits of N gauge, I was reminded of the original Ffarquhar plan which the Rev. W. Awdry built before the one we all know today.
This was an oval layout, but utilised a neat trick to make it seem like and operate like an end to end layout. I believe this technique was originally popularised by Maurice Deane on their Portreath layout - and involves curving an end to end track plan into an oval shape and then using a hidden track to join it. It's easier to see in pictures -
The hidden loop hides the entrance to the fiddleyard and controls.
Using my baseboard and N gauge code 55 track, the plan was converted into this -
Control was DC, using a variety of controllers.
Initially I tried using the one shown in the second picture above which is a PWM kit from Handem but this didn't work too well with N gauge motors in the trains I had resulting in them shooting off with little control. I then tried a Fleischmann MSF 6735 which I picked up cheaply off eBay. This was better but still lacked slow speed control. Finally I settled on a new in box OnTracks MPC3 and HH3 handheld controller. This I believe delivers power in a similar way to the modern Morley controllers, but can be found more cheaply.
Points were controlled using Peco PL-26 switches, using a Gaugemaster CDU connected to the accessory output of the controller. I used Peco PL10 switches and a combination of PL13 switches and microswitches using 3D printed parts from eBay to manage the switching and electrofrogs.
Pointwork was a mixture of curved, small radius and medium 'Unifrog' code 55 points, combined with code 80 setrack curves (and crossing you can see above).
And it worked quite well. I got the layout to the point where scenery could be started, with the wiring and operations all completed. Here are a few pictures -
The rolling stock for the layout -
Dapol Pannier Tank, Dapol GWR 14xx, Class 22, BR Standard 2MT, Class 122 - all of these situate the layout firmly in the Western Region of British Rail
Rolling stock includes a few key choices, such as the autocoach, B-set, mineral wagons and then a mix of wagons to make up pickup goods trains
And a couple of early videos of it in operation -
So what happened with the layout and why did I not finish it? Well a number of reasons -
I didn't have space to keep it. This is also the reason why TT:120 didn't work on this baseboard. I don't own a massive house and a big rectangle needs a dedicated space with 360 degree access really.
The operations weren't ideal - and this was a result of rushing into building it too quickly. The way I had constructed the track bed meant the the track wasn't entirely level and made alterations difficult. I would've needed to fit undertrack magnets to enable handsfree uncoupling and that wasn't something I was willing to invest in at this stage - being unsure still if N was the right scale for me.
The scenery required skills that were a little bit too advanced for me at this stage - I had only really done ballasting by this points and this layout called for mountains, tunnels, water, etc. It was just too much too soon.
So with that, and having no need for the baseboard for another project, it was disposed of and most of the N gauge was sold.
The track is still not fully permanent but dropper fishplates have been installed, wiring has been permanently connected and I even added a convenient little holder for the controller.
I've decided to stick with the included R7229 controller, because despite all of its faults its just plain nicer to use than the HM DC bluetooth app and even after fiddling around with all of the circuit PWM settings I'm not convinced its doing any better. I may upgrade to a nicer gaugemaster combi or similar at some point but it's not a priority now.
I'm pleased with how easy the wiring turned out, and I can easily add in the HM 7000 adapter cable in the same way too when I go to DCC.
Just awaiting a pin vice drill from Amazon and then I'll be sticking the track down permanently. I also want to paint the non-scenic areas with some primer just so it doesn't look quite so unfinished.
