murrayec

Thanks for comment murrayec

Hi Dave Here is that video of a guy doing the track on his modular layout;- murrayec

Hi All Here is the previous drawing revised with the wiring layout and colours from the NMRA specification. The Clinch connectors are not available here so I have changed them to banana plugs & sockets. The skyboard has also been added and here is the drawing in pdf format Modular OO Revised Taple Layout - Sep 21 2013.pdf murrayec

Wow! Walter They are great- looks like you've been very busy. How many layouts and dioramas do you have? it seems to be endless murrayec

Hi BosKonay Brilliant idea Myself and Dave were discussing last week on pulling together a sample modular board to bring to the shows we exhibit in, so that people can see an actual module and how its done in the flesh. Anything you can do to assist on this would be appreciated and of course we would document it on the forum- that was the plan anyway. We need to finish the specification first and then we will make it, possibly with the Martellow Tower diorama on it. We are looking at having it prepared for the Blackrock Show if we can- it wont be complete but it will help to promote the idea. murrayec

Hi We should also have it to the NMRA spec- this connecting wires is in the NMRA pdf in my previous post. This will actually dictate the polarity murrayec

Hi Broithe Yes, sorry I miss read that, I will do that on the next issue of the drawings. We need to settle the direction the main track runs in- and have the polarity right for Analogue running;- I'll suggest that the track runs say - Dun Laoghaire to Dublin direction! murrayec

Hi Broithe Yes the outside track is nearest the sea- the viewing side of the layout. I reckon specifying the wire colour will aid the modeller getting the connections right so that their layout integrates with no fuss. uniform colours will aid problem solving if a problem arises. murrayec

Hi all Some more ideas Electrics Proposal;- The main line 2 track system is connected throughout the modules, the side tracks are controlled separately at each layout. The main line points are controlled separately at each layout also- this can be motorised or manual rod control from under the board through the rear down-stand of the boards. Side tracks and accessories may be controlled by whatever means the modeller of that layout decides, but there can be no wired connection to the main lines- side tracks have to be insulated from the main. (except where DCC cab control is connected for hand-off) 220v power connectors and extension leads are to be at floor level and only the low voltage leads can rise to the board to run side tracks and accessories. Power leads are to be earthed and have a safety circuit breaker installed. Track boosters again will be on the floor and the low voltage leads rise to the board. Main line module leads are to be 300mm long max, so that these leads do not extend to the floor area where the 220v is. Parental Control plug blanks are to be used to close un-used sockets on all 220v plug boards Cinch 320 connectors as per the NMRA specification seem to be hard to source, so we may need to go with another type! two pin speaker connectors- the type with a flat pin and a round pin could be an idea? One main line track or possibly both should be wired so that the can run DCC or Analogue- but not at the same time. Main Line wire colours;- Inside line = Black & Red Outside line = Blue & Yellow These colours are exclusively for main line wiring, these colours are not to be used elsewhere on a layout. What do you think? murrayec

Yes Broithe I saw that a couple of weeks back they announced 2 car units. Can you imagine the modular system with a fleet of 20 two coach DARTs running! That will be the number of units built by the end of the year if all preliminary orders go through!! Though some have gone to foreign homes, maybe in the future they'll bring them home for a reunion if the modular track is built. murrayec

Hi Broithe You got it- do it that way or we supply drawings to be downloaded with a full size template for the end-plates? murrayec

Hi Dave Yes, that's an idea to supply the plate, but its still up to the modeller to get that aligned with his track- could still lead to problems. Just thinking- if there is problems, we remove the dowels on that board? Here is an interesting diagram for DCC from the Fremo site;- http://fremodcc.sourceforge.net/dcc_e.html and in this area a wealth of electrical stuff for modular building. murrayec

Hi Dave Looking again through the NMRA spec, they set the size of the boards at 610mm wide and 1220mm long which fits the supplied sheets exactly! Is that correct? and we stay within the standard adopting their size! A sky-board or back scene board has not been shown on the drawings above- minimum = 200mm, nominal = 382mm as per NMRA. Though I reckon we should have a minimum, but some layouts may need a board higher than 382mm to compliment the scene? murrayec

Hi Guys I watched a couple of vids last night and came across one of a guy building modules and he had a good point to say about alignment dowels;- 'using the C-Clamps eliminates the need for dowels, which can cause trouble if a builder gets them slightly off line. The forces in the clamp hold the boards rigid with no movement, thus eliminating the dowels and makes life easier' murrayec

Hi Dave Deadly murrayec

Hi Dave I reckon they would only be run separately - analogue or digital. Computer scheduling is a good idea and probably the only way to set up timetable and keep an order to the system. DCC control systems should comply with the most compatible system over the different makes - we will have to look into this? The Royersford Modular Club Rules pdf document I posted earlier has a section on this- refer to pdf. murrayec

Hi Walter No, have not been back to it- building 7 DARTs at the moment, 4 on the go and 3 waiting for parts murrayec

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Hi BosKonay I just did a calculation on an 8 coach DART;- it is 2157mm long so going on this a station platform would be over 3 boards to allow for trains of 8 coach and the engine. Here is a sketch idea for a Viaduct and this design could be used for the Dalkey Hill Tunnel- the lower section would be the beach! The sketch is over two boards in this example. murrayec

Hi All Here is the Royersford Club Rules in pdf format;- Royersford MMR Club Rules-00.pdf These guys have it quite well worked out, this document refers to running trains and the methods they involve to do so- very helpful. Note; I have not done any editing on this yet Have a read and post your comments murrayec

Yes Walter When I saw that diorama in Parks Hotel I thought of modular system- it also spurred me on to get at the Martellow Tower thingie! murrayec

Hi irishthump Most modular systems seem to be running them by DCC. This will have to be discussed with the modellers that get involved- I think it would be great the have a dual system so that analogue could run to- there is a lot of analogue users out there. I know this might cause a lot of difficulty and discussion but we should at least look at the possibility and the problems. murrayec

Ah just worked it out pdf drawings and spec sheets Modular OO Layout-00 Sep 13 2013 Prelim Drawings.pdf Free-mo Standard-00.pdf IRM NMRA 00 Modular Layout Spec - Prelim Sep 2013.pdf murrayec

Hi All Here are a few sketches and extracts from NMRA & free-mo for discussion;- Anyone know how to attach a pdf to a post? - I have the drawings and thinned out versions of the NMRA & free-mo specs in pdf format. murrayec

Hi Walter Looks excellent, your up and running already murrayec