Where to build a railway, I know, dining room table!

[-steves-]

I thought I would download and try the loco remote track, I didn't get on with their controller in the slightest little bit, shame as a great idea. Anyway, their free downloadable track is quite superb for small wheelbase 4 wheel drive loco's. I put this together today, it's not finished as I am yet to print the buffer stops. Neat for anyone not wanting to go outside in freezing temperatures. NOT recommended for steam I wouldn't think, lol

I have yet to print the rest of the turntable too, awesome

Total measurement of layout is approx 25" x 16", the outer radius is around 8" and inner radius is around 6", not really for the larger ones in the fleet, lol

[ge_rik]

Now that looks intriguing.

Rik

[philipy]

Now that looks intriguing.

Rik

Yes indeed.

[-steves-]

Now that looks intriguing.

Rik

I think for the sake of a few quid on PLA, it's a good test track without going outside in the cold. Only thing I had to do is there is a sharp corner on the inside of both points which it kept riding up on, out with the scalpel and get rid of it so it runs along it rather than up it.

[philipy]

Steve, I'm not sure what you mean by "the loco remote track"? Is that the stuff on Thingi or is it from somewhere else?

[-steves-]

Steve, I'm not sure what you mean by "the loco remote track"? Is that the stuff on Thingi or is it from somewhere else?

It is direct from the loco remote website.

http://www.locoremote.co.uk/home.html

[SimonWood]

I have printed some of this, it's a really clever design. Had a bit of trouble with derailments on the point though - doesn't look like you've had any such problem? I'm not sure if it's down to the issues with the accuracy of my printer...

[-steves-]

I have printed some of this, it's a really clever design. Had a bit of trouble with derailments on the point though - doesn't look like you've had any such problem? I'm not sure if it's down to the issues with the accuracy of my printer...

I said above somewhere, but I had to get a knife to both sets of points as there is a sharp angle where it derails when going on the curve of the point. You just need to nick the angle off and make it smooth. After that, it's fine, I doubt it's the printer and would guess it's the design as both of the sets I printed do it too. Just push a small wagon round it and see where it lifts off the track and get rid of that sharp angle

[SimonWood]

I said above somewhere, but I had to get a knife to both sets of points as there is a sharp angle where it derails when going on the curve of the point. You just need to nick the angle off and make it smooth. After that, it's fine, I doubt it's the printer and would guess it's the design as both of the sets I printed do it too. Just push a small wagon round it and see where it lifts off the track and get rid of that sharp angle

Oops yes, sorry, that's the issue. I'll give that a go... Then maybe I can get on with that micro-layout...

I have noticed that a big problem with the 3D printer is it makes it very easy to download something, print it, and suddenly find you've started yet another project. (I'm very good at starting projects, but rarely finish them!)

[philipy]

I have noticed that a big problem with the 3D printer is it makes it very easy to download something, print it, and suddenly find you've started yet another project.

Ahh, that probably explains why I've got two straights sitting on the chair beside me and half a turnout on the printer as I speak!

Seriously, I'm not sure if I may have the answer to the 'sharp bit that needs to be cut off" the point. As downloaded, the point was a bit of a tight fit on my printer bed and to make it easier I imported the stl into Sketchup so that I could move the two small pieces to a more conducive position. That was no problem, but SU always adds loads of extraneous lines when importing an stl. They don't affect the subsequent print but look messy so I usually get rid of as many as I can. In doing that I found a couple of defects in the actual drawing, with two sharp edges that need to be deleted to allow the switch rails to sit neatly against the stock rails.

The other thing I have found is that the mating nobbles don't sit properly into the matching holes. Not a big deal but I suspect that it is a manifestation of the print shrinkage issue we were discussing recently.

[SimonWood]

In doing that I found a couple of defects in the actual drawing, with two sharp edges that need to be deleted to allow the switch rails to sit neatly against the stock rails.

I found those sharp edges after printing - and deleted them. With a file!

The other thing I have found is that the mating nobbles don't sit properly into the matching holes. Not a big deal but I suspect that it is a manifestation of the print shrinkage issue we were discussing recently.

Yes, this track was the main thing that brought the 'shrinkage' to my attention, so it sounds like you are experiencing the same thing I did...!

[-steves-]

Test run 2 using a directional driver and directional lighting.

[-steves-]

The track as it stands today, it was actually fun to use as it was extremely slow running, very nice and relaxing.

IMG_20210103_112104.jpg (294.21 KiB) Viewed 4641 times

[FWLR]

Now that is brilliant...

Where did you get the files to print them please Steve...

[-steves-]

Now that is brilliant...

Where did you get the files to print them please Steve...

The files come the loco remote website main page. Download the zip file and extract on your computer, then slice the stl files and print away.

[BorisSpencer]

Has anyone determined the smallest footprint for a balloon loop, and wether it's possible with the available curves?
I'm trying to plan a continuous run micro layout, but as mentioned in my previous thread I can't yet print the track pieces.

[Andrew]

Just catching up on this, and it looks very interesting - I'm finding myself tempted to get stuck into some sort of quirky micro-tramway, with tiny 4-wheeled trams...

Lovely loco, by the way Steve.

Andrew.

[-steves-]

Has anyone determined the smallest footprint for a balloon loop, and wether it's possible with the available curves?
I'm trying to plan a continuous run micro layout, but as mentioned in my previous thread I can't yet print the track pieces.

There are loads of different curves, the smallest is 6" radius, the larger being 8" radius. I would imagine anything is possible to make given the track parts provided.

[-steves-]

Just catching up on this, and it looks very interesting - I'm finding myself tempted to get stuck into some sort of quirky micro-tramway, with tiny 4-wheeled trams...

Lovely loco, by the way Steve.

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew.

Tiny little trams do sound very interesting

[Andrew]

Tiny little trams do sound very interesting

I haven't actually built any, and probably won't for years, but I do like the idea... I reckon trams would be quite easy to condense, length-wise, without losing the character, and they could look great swing round those sharp curves. I'm day-dreaming about a little tramline set in Sicily, inspired by the lovely architecture, the, steep hills and sunshine in the Montalbano books/TV series...