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Author Topic: Lightweight modular layout  (Read 18651 times)

Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #45 on: February 16, 2015, 12:04:48 PM »
They do, but as a rule I don't like extendable tracks. In the photo's I have them in but I removed them all this past weekend - they would flex and catch the snow ploughs - just too much trouble then.

I like the old Ntrak way - set track with specific lengths. Works like a bomb!
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #46 on: February 17, 2015, 07:38:51 AM »
Tonight I'll be fitting my Digitrax Zephyr for the firs time. I have found DCC systems to be good debuggers of track... :biggrin:

Las night we found an offending point that was not transporting power. Kato points actually have power routing "switches". Little screws that you have to move from one place to another. I now understand why these pieces of track can be so expensive. Clever little buggers... :P

Then again, I might have misunderstood the whole point of the settings and have to rip it ALL up to reset the power routing switches... :'(

You'll know first thing in the morning...
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #47 on: February 17, 2015, 09:30:32 AM »
Check this. Quite nice these Kato chaps... :thumb:

If ever you want to figure something out for DCC wiring, this is the site to go to. http://www.wiringfordcc.com/
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Offline capeklr

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #48 on: February 17, 2015, 10:14:04 AM »
So you turn the screw out of the one hole and into the other one to make contact?
Neat idea.  :thumb:
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #49 on: February 17, 2015, 11:14:08 AM »
Exactly :thumb:
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Offline Steve Smith

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #50 on: February 17, 2015, 06:24:30 PM »
And it all comes down to reading the instructions first !

Steve
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #51 on: February 17, 2015, 11:08:27 PM »
Quote from: Steve Smith on February 17, 2015, 06:24:30 PM
And it all comes down to reading the instructions first !

Steve

Ah, but I bought it all secondhand - zero instructions... :innocent:
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For long you live and high you fly
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And all you touch and all you see
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Dark side of the moon
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #52 on: February 17, 2015, 11:16:28 PM »
So, the DCC fitting started out fine tonight. The first 7 connections on the one side were connected without any problems. On to the other side and the system tripps for every connection.

I made a stupid mistake. The Kato connection track is a very specific track. The wire plug can only go in one way. If you now change the orientation of the track you end up with a dead short. Man, I was pissed at myself... >:(

The result? A working layout. Tomorrow night I pack it all up ready for setup on Friday night! :thumb:
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For long you live and high you fly
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #53 on: February 18, 2015, 07:51:55 AM »
Looking back at the last few weeks experiences I noted the following:

1. Made a few mistakes, but learned from them.
2. Kato Unitrack is a simple and quick way to enjoy model railroading.
3. Made a few MORE mistakes and hopefully learned from them too.
4. Blue foam is a winner. Works easily, weighs nothing and is quite strong.

So far so good. The big test will be this weekend with the setup and take down and then the next exercise.

I LOVE MODEL TRAINS!!!! :thumb:
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For long you live and high you fly
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And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be

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Dark side of the moon
Pink Floyd 1973

Offline LooVille

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #54 on: February 18, 2015, 08:18:10 AM »
Yea, Ed, it is awesome  :thumb:

Layout really works well, I enjoyed running the trains last night.
Yea, few issues, but it is the way we learn hey.

My only concern is the stability, yes I know it is still very temporary and still in the beginning.
I'm just worried that the knocking and movement will cause issues eventually.
But overall, I think it came out awesome. Really impressed.

See you Saturday at the show.
Cheers, Evert
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #55 on: February 18, 2015, 08:21:07 AM »
Thanks for your help Evert - couldn't have done it without you. :thumb:

Another nice thing about our hobby - the sharing and camaraderie. :thumb:
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For long you live and high you fly
And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be

BREATHE
Dark side of the moon
Pink Floyd 1973

Offline capeklr

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #56 on: February 18, 2015, 08:44:21 AM »
Quote from: BigEd on February 18, 2015, 08:21:07 AM

Another nice thing about our hobby - the sharing and camaraderie. :thumb:

+1000000
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Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #57 on: September 22, 2015, 10:03:53 AM »
So, I got gatvol of watching TV last night and had a flash of inspiration and jumped the modules in the garage.

I made wooden connectors to link up the modules. A change I'm going to make - turn them inside out.

Tonight I'll take it further and add wheels! Did I mention I am lazy?
« Last Edit: September 22, 2015, 11:25:19 AM by BigEd »
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For long you live and high you fly
And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be

BREATHE
Dark side of the moon
Pink Floyd 1973

Offline BigEd

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #58 on: September 22, 2015, 10:07:20 AM »
Oh yes, I lost my ruler (see second last picture) only to find it when I moved the setup.

Wild guess where the metal ruler landed? Yes, my friggin' foot!
« Last Edit: September 22, 2015, 11:24:45 AM by BigEd »
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For long you live and high you fly
And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be

BREATHE
Dark side of the moon
Pink Floyd 1973

Offline LooVille

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Re: Lightweight modular layout
« Reply #59 on: September 22, 2015, 10:23:54 AM »
Nice :) I like it.  :thumb:

Now all the landscaping must be done according to that height.
Should be easy to transport as well.
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