My new layout design.

[BigEd]

Well done Jörg! As someone who have seen your display "racks" I can fully understand where you are going with this. Seems like a great concept.

Silly question: won't piano wire as guides be easier to slide the rack in position? I wonder if that "click" will not jar the locomotives off the track?

[capeklr]

Silly question: won't piano wire as guides be easier to slide the rack in position?

I am trying to figure out how you want to use piano wire as guides?

[BigEd]

Silly question: won't piano wire as guides be easier to slide the rack in position?

I am trying to figure out how you want to use piano wire as guides?

Solder it to the sides of your rails on one side - will both guide and keep in place.

[capeklr]

Been quiet for a while.
Was running some tests on my staging yard and it was not working as I had hoped it would.
The copper wire as centre rail did not give a reliable contact to the pick up. 
After considering various options I decided to give it another try.
But instead of 0.9mm wire I used 1.8mm wire now, of course this just can not be glued to the tie, but I have to screw in brass screws between the ties and then solder the wire to this. Quiet a bit more work, but the first test has been positive.
So I am now trying to finish one track so I can run more tests.
Spot the difference in the wires.

[capeklr]

Had a bit of time today between jobs so I started cutting some threaded rods.

Placed in their spots.

[capeklr]

Next level on, checking for fit, fits perfectly.
I had planned on 20cm between levels, but spaced it down to 16cm which will allow me to reduce some of the gradients. 

[Steve Smith]

On the upper deck being installed, I would suggest you look at either doubling the thickness of the deck layer to stiffen it, or add longitudinal / cross braces to reinforce the deck to prevent sagging between the threaded rods.

Cheers,
Steve

[LooVille]

Looking awesome Jorg.

Comming along real nicely. 
I have to agree with Steve, just make 100% sure. The scenery will also add some weight to it.

Hope you have a good day, enjoy.
Cheers.

[capeklr]

Hi Steve and Evert,
I specially used plywood as it is not supposed to sag. Chipboard will sag that I know.
I have removed the threaded rods near the wall and fitted a 44x22 batten to the wall for the board to rest on and keep it nice and straight there.
They are visible in the photo.

I am pretty sure that I won't have a problem with this and if it does happen then I will just have to add some bracing later.
Currently I want to keep it without bracing as that would reduce access in case of a derailment.
Cheers.

[capeklr]

Refer to post #108 I have now finished one track with the thicker copper wire and tested lots of Loco's last night and its is a major improvement.
Not a single Loco stopped once on that track.
Now to buy some more wire and brass screws and do the other two tracks.

[LooVille]

Cool, looks good. Yea the battens will make a huge difference I think.
Cool, happy the thicker pick-up wire works better. Nice 

[wesley]

Very nice. I really admire you guys with layouts. Makes me jealous.

[BigEd]

Me too Wesley. No space...

[Steve Smith]

Me too Wesley. No space...

Flog one of  the cars ..........

 

[capeklr]

Good idea.
But then again you should be able to fit some layout in somewhere in your preferred Normal scale.