This is a question that surely is on everyone's mind (especially does that are starting to build a new layout). I was originally going for DC, but in the end decided to go the DCC way.
Main considerations are :
+ Controller: Since I have double main line, I would have needed to buy a 2nd DC controller. With DCC, I can sell my DC controller and get a DCC controller which should be enough to control the double track mainline.
+ Slow speed operation: since I saw a back-EMF demo on you tube, I came to a conclusion that DCC decoder with back EMF should help realistic slow speed operation. (My loco stutters at low speed and hopefully DCC will help)
+ Sound chips: these are getting more widespread and hopefully prices will go down. Better be prepared...
I've gotten a Hornby Select of Ebay on a good deal, so although it is not a great controller, it should do fine for now.
My hornby decoder just arrived by mail last week, it came all the way from the UK.
Now I just need to disect my loco and install the decoder. I am not even sure if my loco is DCC ready. Will keep you posted on how that goes ....
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
What is in a name?
Finding a name for the station is not easy. Took me a couple of days of quiet brain-storming, and finally the official name of my station is Almston Park. A special website a side from this blog is coming soon to chronicle in detail further development of my layout.
Is my baseboard strong enough?
After all the planning it was time to build an actual baseboard. I had to compromise some aspects because I wanted the baseboard to be at least semi-portable. To keep it light I just used 3 mm MDF on 20 x 40 mm dressed pine. Not the strongest material, I admit, but like I said, this is a compromise.
All set and as long as I don't sit on it, it should be ok. Pics should follow soon.
Update: Here is the plan...
All set and as long as I don't sit on it, it should be ok. Pics should follow soon.
Update: Here is the plan...
Sunday, January 6, 2008
How Many Things Can One Do at One Time?
Ok, I have to admit I am trying to do too many things at the moment. I am still working on the design - btw, i've read that others will do the design stage for weeks/months/even years. So, looks like it is normal that it takes a while before it gets to the actual start building phase.
Anyways, I am doing the track layout design, while also doing a lot of other planning stuffs, such as how many locomotives will I run (and which locos should I get next - always fun this one), what will the station look like, will there be streets/bridges, will there be other buildings, which buildings look right which each other, what will the scenery look like .... this is really filling my head. Hence the title, am I trying to do too many things?
The fact that I am researching from the internet does not help. So many information from so many different websites/forums, and most of the time after I read it, I can't remember where I read it and I can't find it again (duh!).
Solution: I am switching to books, the real ink on paper stuff. A quick trip to Border got me a prototype railway book and the November edition of "Railway Modeler" for around $20. Another trip to the local library got me another 3 books, which I haven't touched yet. These ones I can keep and I can refer back to as long as I have them. Will let everyone know how good the book strategy is in upcoming posts ...
Anyways, I am doing the track layout design, while also doing a lot of other planning stuffs, such as how many locomotives will I run (and which locos should I get next - always fun this one), what will the station look like, will there be streets/bridges, will there be other buildings, which buildings look right which each other, what will the scenery look like .... this is really filling my head. Hence the title, am I trying to do too many things?
The fact that I am researching from the internet does not help. So many information from so many different websites/forums, and most of the time after I read it, I can't remember where I read it and I can't find it again (duh!).
Solution: I am switching to books, the real ink on paper stuff. A quick trip to Border got me a prototype railway book and the November edition of "Railway Modeler" for around $20. Another trip to the local library got me another 3 books, which I haven't touched yet. These ones I can keep and I can refer back to as long as I have them. Will let everyone know how good the book strategy is in upcoming posts ...
Monday, December 31, 2007
How Does One Create the Blueprint for Tranquility?
Quickly browing for model train track layout software on the internet, I've manage to find two promising cadidates: Hornby Virtual Track and XtrkCad. Other candidates are train simulation games, such as Microsoft Virtual Train and maybe Railroad Tycoon style games.
From all the above, XtrkCad is the only one which is an open source initiative (i.e. it is free!). It is also the most 'professional' looking app, where it produces blueprint style sheets as opposed to full 3D colourfull landscape found on the Hornby app or the other train/railroad games above.
To cut a long story short, I decided to try XtrkCad. It is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/xtrkcad-fork/
The learning curve is quite steep, at the beginning the app is not quite intuitive. After one night of trying different things, I finally manage to get a loop using true to scale Hornby tracks. After another 3 days, I've managed to get something that looks like a final track layout: (insert picture here)
At this point I realise that the part where I planned the station will be (upper right area) does not have enough space for the actual platforms between the tracks. Ouch! Time to go back to the drawing board...
From all the above, XtrkCad is the only one which is an open source initiative (i.e. it is free!). It is also the most 'professional' looking app, where it produces blueprint style sheets as opposed to full 3D colourfull landscape found on the Hornby app or the other train/railroad games above.
To cut a long story short, I decided to try XtrkCad. It is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/xtrkcad-fork/
The learning curve is quite steep, at the beginning the app is not quite intuitive. After one night of trying different things, I finally manage to get a loop using true to scale Hornby tracks. After another 3 days, I've managed to get something that looks like a final track layout: (insert picture here)
At this point I realise that the part where I planned the station will be (upper right area) does not have enough space for the actual platforms between the tracks. Ouch! Time to go back to the drawing board...
Where to Begin?
The decision to start making Tranquility comes with the realisation that moving from a single train set to a full blown layout/scenery model railway is a long and winding road ...
And that is where I am now. I have some tracks which can form a loop, I have a steam locomotive (the flying scotsman) and that's about it.
"Where to begin?" is the main question. All I know is that the Hornby OO gauge set which I have is fully expandable and compatible with different products out there which should allow me to build Tranquililty.
Time to do some research, serious research: Internet style research.
After digging and googling around, I've stumbled on a very useful forum : http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Forums/index.php
It has plenty of information on starting a layout.
From the wealth of information available, I concluded the start has to be with the one word: 'Design'. Everything has to be pre-planned, from track layout, station position, sidings, points, where to put it, etc ...
Well, at least this is one part where I shouldn't have too much problem with - compared to the actual process of making the set ;)
And that is where I am now. I have some tracks which can form a loop, I have a steam locomotive (the flying scotsman) and that's about it.
"Where to begin?" is the main question. All I know is that the Hornby OO gauge set which I have is fully expandable and compatible with different products out there which should allow me to build Tranquililty.
Time to do some research, serious research: Internet style research.
After digging and googling around, I've stumbled on a very useful forum : http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Forums/index.php
It has plenty of information on starting a layout.
From the wealth of information available, I concluded the start has to be with the one word: 'Design'. Everything has to be pre-planned, from track layout, station position, sidings, points, where to put it, etc ...
Well, at least this is one part where I shouldn't have too much problem with - compared to the actual process of making the set ;)
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Welcome to Tranquility
What is Tranquility? Tranquility is my planned model railway layout.
See, I'm starting a new hobby: model trains. The start of it all is rather silly, my wife and I got our first Christmas tree. What do you need with a tree? Accessories, and lots of them. So the story continues, what do people put under the tree? Among others: trains. After contemplating buying one of those cheap plastic train toy, just for the tree, we finally decided on a 'real' model train. Although it is more expensive, it would be far better investment (and enjoyment) compared to the first option.
See, I'm starting a new hobby: model trains. The start of it all is rather silly, my wife and I got our first Christmas tree. What do you need with a tree? Accessories, and lots of them. So the story continues, what do people put under the tree? Among others: trains. After contemplating buying one of those cheap plastic train toy, just for the tree, we finally decided on a 'real' model train. Although it is more expensive, it would be far better investment (and enjoyment) compared to the first option.
After some research, this is what I got: a Hornby model of the 'Flying Scotsman'. It went straight under the christmas tree. (insert picture here)
Of course now that a model train is sitting in my house, it would not be complete without a complete layout, with model train station, scenery, cars, etc, etc.... this is the story behind the creation of Tranquility.
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