Noel

I've only recently discovered this forum and wow yet another superb project and layout. Hat's off - respect.

A few more photos. As you can see it's very bare as it has been for past 15 years, but hopefully this winter will see a start to scenic work and landscaping one section at a time. The layout has three ground levels. Upper has two continuous loops through four track station, connected by twin track gradient to middle section which has two continuous loops (70% hidden under upper level). Middle section through station acts as a major junction with twin track branching off to the terminus and a single branch line to a lower level branch station on the bottom level loop which will also have a reversing loop via a viaduct. As you can see I still have some of the clunky toy buildings I had from the 60s and 70s (Dublo, Triang, Airfix), which I hope to replace with a mix of kits and scratch built buildings over the years.

Ultra wide angle

Terminus - May end up a 'poetic license' version of Heuston mid 70s

Terminus on middle level

Mainline station with junction to lower branch line which will have reversing loop across a diagonal viaduct. This will facilitate end to end linear run out from terminus around the loops and back in. Note the clunky old toy Triang station buildings, which will be replaced during the scenic phase. Hopefully with lime stone block buildings.

British style main line station on upper level. Note two 'Thomas the two tank engine coaches'

Steam service area. Will have ash pits and water towers.

Discovering your superb forum here has given me fresh interest and inspiration to restart work on our layout. The layouts and models I've seen so far on this forum are absolutely superb. I had no idea the hobby was so strong in Ireland. I had thought with the growth in gaming, portable electronics, social networking, etc, modelling in all forms had taken a nose dive, but obviously not. I am stunned by the sound possibilities. I used to play cassette tapes of railway sounds when operating this during test operation with classical music in the background. Can't wait to hear steam loco sounds and especially GM motors revving the genset as a CIE diesel loco starts starts to pull a load. I hope the sound effects on the 071, 141/181s also simulate coasting engine sounds. Cheers for now.

Thanks again

Thanks guys, I will check that out. What sound module do you recommend for the Murphy 141, or 181?

Also does 4 function mean (power/drive + 3 other switch on/off circuits for lights, etc). Thanks again.

noel - will you throw up a few more pics please? did have you a track plan or did you make it up as you go?

Yes, I drew up the initial track plan back in 1974/75 in school study time! I revised it in 1988 and finally started laying it around 1994 when I had completed the baseboards. It is buried in the attic somewhere, but I will dig it out and scan. Yes when I get some time I will take a few more pics. I have some old film photos I took of the baseboards during construction back in 93, but I will have to find them in storage boxes. The key concept was to be able to operate four continuous loops, or as one long linear section (i.e. using the loops) via a reversing loop for out and back operation into the terminus using all of the main track. Will have to figure that one out for DCC!

Just wow Noel!!

What are the overall dimensions? Do you have a track plan?

Thank you guys. Despite the layouts age it is early days yet. I would love to get my teeth back into it this coming winter. This web site and the amazing layouts you guys have built has inspired me to get going again.

It is 16ft x 12ft on six main bolted boards, plus a few removable smaller sections in case it needs to be dismantled or moved. I need to rethink how I will do the landscaping as modelling materials and techniques seem to have moved on somewhat since the chicken wire and paper mache day I learned with 40 years ago as a youngster. I am stunned by the quality of layouts and models on this web site. I will try and find the track plan as it's 18 years since I had it to hand.

"Respect" to you guys!

I've just spend the past hour looking at some of the superb layouts and skills on here. This one is absolutely incredible. Respect.

Absolutely stunning. I'm new here. Love the layout and others I've just found here this evening. Still browsing the forum. What a find. Do you mind me asking what you needed to achieve that sound with the CIE/IE loco? The sound of the general electric is etched in my memory since a boy. Is it part of a DCC module, or a separate add-on. Is the sound generator stored in the loco or on the layout? Many thanks.

Our new layout as really an old project that stalled.

I'm new here but have been a model train fan for nearly 50 years!

Background

My first memory of model trains was my Dad running Hornby-Dublo 00 GWR Castle class under my cot as a toddler. I've been collecting model trains and rolling stock for over 45 years. Everything from Hornby-Dublo (two rail), Triang-Hornby, Hornby, Bachmann and just recently some Murphy Models. When an 8yo I build my first very simple layout in my dad's attic, when 12 we moved house and I built my first 'scenic' layout in the attic of our then new home. The layout was effectively built into the attic structure, the track was all glued with ballast and pinned. When my Dad died a few years later and we moved house again the layout had to be left behind with only rolling stock and buildings salvageable. I vowed then that if I every built a layout again that it would not be 'nailed down' but semi-portable or at least transportable without too much damage. I dreamed up and designed many layout plans in those years (doodling with a ruler, pencil and compass), forgot about them and then eventually decided to built a layout once again when our son was born 20 years ago. I had still kept collecting rolling stock in the intervening years in the hope one day I might build a layout.

The idea

• 00 layout - Hybrid Irish and English countryside
• Bolt together baseboards on foldable leg system.
• Four continuous loops with some sections hidden
• A large terminus station - a suedo mock up of Heuston/Kingsbridge with dual steam era/diesel infrastructure and some poetic license
• A main line junction connected to a branch line
• Operate as four loops or one long linear section effectively allowing steam loco to leave terminus and return facing in opposite direction
• Two turntables

Steam Engine Sheds at Terminus yards

The build plan

The layout plan was a reworking of one I had designed in school study hall one night. But over 20 years later I was not about to start building it (i.e. 1993). I started with a design for the baseboards that facilitated bolt together joints where track could be cut at reasonable angles to the board joints. The base boards would have up to three levels to facilitate hidden sections, gentle curves, gentle transition gradients between the continuous loops on the upper and mid levels. I spend about 6 months building the base boards using mainly 9mm ply on 3"x1" structure, and legs made by 2"x1" lattice, butterfly bolts, and dowels for the joint alignment. After that I provisionally laid the track to ensure the curves would work with the geometry on the paper plans which often don't work out with the real practical world. Some adjustments and then laid the track (peco) provisionally on foam underlay. The long term plan was to get the track work wired and fully operational, then do the scenery and then relay the track by gluing it onto cork underlay using PVA, paint and ballast. Anyway I got the base boards finished, got the track laid, first fix electrical done for a 12v block section system, build a few control switch panels, scratch build the station platforms virtually all of which were curved, and drilled baseboard under all the points for future motorisation. The wiring and sectional insulation took forever, especially making up the control panels. I got most of the track running and then scratch built a few buildings, amended some of the old 'toy' hornby and airfix buildings I had since the 1970s. A few years had past so we 'played' with it and then a combination of family life and work commitments effectively had me abandon the project for the past 16 years. I did manage to move the layout over two days from a farm outbuilding to a converted attic space.

• 1993 - Build Baseboards and legs
• 1994 - Lay track
• 1995 - 1st fix wiring of block sections and isolation sections
• 1996/7 - build control panels + scratch build curved station platforms

The plan now?

• Rewire the layout for DCC and remove all the old block section wiring.
• Start the scenery in sections - need grass embankments, hedges, some trees, and also city scapes with brick raised sections.
• Finish some additional scratch buildings (stations buildings + signal boxes)
• When initial scenery is done, relay track on cork underlay and fill track with simulated ballast using PVA, etc
• Motorise points
•  

Anyway, very rusty but hope to make a start back at it over the winter months. Looking forward to learning from folks on here and getting some advice from time to time. I feel humbled when I see some of the stunning layouts and craftsmanship on this web site. Our layout is meant to be fun, hence it will have an unusual mix of UK and Irish rolling stock from steam to diesel because that's what I grew up with and I love GWR and LMS rolling stock. DCC sees to offer much simpler operations without the need for all the isolation sections I have already wired, but I am quite excited about what sound and lighting possibilities DCC may offer. I'm sure the next 'phase' of building our layout will take anything for 4 to 10 years.

Access roads to the terminus

English style mainline through station

Good night, looking forward to chatting to folk on here

Noel

Thanks BosKonay, this is really helpful. They are impressive. I'll do a bit more web searching on the controller options. I need to figure out which DCC modules types to install in my old locos. I'll do this slowly a few locos at a time. I presume I can use the simplest types for power only modules unless I need lights, sound, etc, but I may install small running lights in some of the steam locos which presumably need DCC modules with more wires attached to power the lights, and on the few diesels I have change the lights based on direction.

1. Have reliable automatic couplings been made for OO locos (e.g. bachmann/hornby style)?
   
2. How does DCC sound work? Is the sound built into the DCC module or is it a separate module connected to the DCC module?
   
3. Aside from horns, whistles, etc, are there sound modules the simulate diesel engine noises and steam engines running?
   
4. Any recommendations for DCC module brands? There seem to be modules from €20 to right up to €120
   
5. For lights in coach rakes I presume I need to either hard wire the rake together with power pickups on one coach and a single DCC accessory module, or do folks put independent power pickups on all their coaches with a DCC module in each?
   

Re scenery the way I learned 40 years ago was using various combinations of chicken wire, paper mach, 1/4 aero board, plaster, fabric + PVA glue, etc. I presume there are now more modern techniques using modern materials such foam insulations, ultra light weight plaster/filler materials, spray on foams, etc. The way I learned was a very messy and wet process, but there may be newer materials that are easier to carve/sculpt in place with a PVA skin applied later ready for painting and scatters, etc. If there are any web sites covering same I'd be grateful for a pointer and I will read up on it. If things have moved on, it may save me a lot of effort to use newer techniques and newer materials. The layout is made of six separable baseboards, so the scenery will need splitting at joints also for rare transportability or storage.

Many thanks again for taking the time to answer my flood of questions, many of which I'm sure are rather silly ones.

Noel

Block Switch Panels I hope to make redundant with DCC

Welcome to the site Noel!

 

That's a lot of questions

 

- I'd recommend the Lenz System or Ecos

 

- 5A should be plenty

 

- Most systems will now run from iphone and ipad apps, might not be rotary, but gives you a lot of flexibility and 'wifi' control (so no line of sight worries like with some of the older IR based systems)

 

Some of the older models may not be DCC compatible, or may be too much work to get there, it all depends on how you want to run the layout, and the range of stock. Depending on the layout structure, you could even have some loops or lines run DC, while others run DCC

Thanks. The current track electrics are working via switched sections and scratch built twin rotary knob interia controllers (ie brake simulators), combined with old guage master electronic track cleaners which were very effective. Few further questions:

1. Do DCC systems behave like the old electronic track cleaners which gave smoother 12v running?
   
2. Should I just join all track sections and feed power to one area or multiple areas to avoid voltage drop?
   
3. Should I consider replacing my points with electrofrog versions?
   
4. Are there cab controllers with two knobs (ie power + brake simulation)?
   

Thanks

Hi Guys

New here. Great site.

I've been collecting models for about 45 years from Hornby-Dublin, Triang-Hornby, Hornby, Bachmann, etc, and recently a few Murphy locos. 20 years ago I started to build a layout. Got as far as structural work with joining base boards, folding legs, laying track, first fix electrical 12v block system, scratch built stations, buildings, and built sectional block switch panels. About 15 years ago due to family committements I parked the project. I am now ready to start with the scenery and landscaping.

But it looks like I should really adjust the wiring for DCC and put modules in my collection of older locos (70 approx over 45 years). I don't have an issue wiring in the modules as nowadays the modules look small enough to shoe horn into the smallest tank locos.

Any recommendations for a DCC system?

Need to be able to operate up to 8 locos independently at the same time - 5amp enough?

Like the idea of wireless hand helds with rotary knob

Like the idea of iPad integration for programming and control

Layout is approx 17ft x 14ft on three levels.

There seem to be a vast array of DCC module options. Any suggestions for older models? Any suggestions for simplifying the rewrite which at least is unobstructed as I haven't yet filled in the scenery.

Advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Noel