Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
- -steves-
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Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
Also looking forwards to seeing the finished turnouts, as Rik said, I am surprised they are not produced commerciallyby someone already.
The buck stops here .......
Ditton Meadow Light Railway (DMLR)
Member of Peterborough and District Association
http://peterborough.16mm.org.uk/
Ditton Meadow Light Railway (DMLR)
Member of Peterborough and District Association
http://peterborough.16mm.org.uk/
- gregh
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Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
So having proved that the circular turnout works, now to prove I get get the 3 wagon train up a 1’ radius, 6% grade. I had made a bit of aluminium 1’ rad track earlier (see post #1).
It is very rigid but I was able to put it on a 6% grade for tests. And the train worked OK.
See this video…..
Here is the layout plan ‘so far’ Since it will be in my wife’s old pottery ‘studio’ it will be a line that connects a clay quarry and a pottery factory. It’s two-level, if you can follow the dwg..
One last problem to overcome – I use hook and chain couplings on the garden line, but since the indoor will be for shunting. I’ll need couplings that are easier to operate. Hmmmm…. Something magnetic? Or hook and loop?
It is very rigid but I was able to put it on a 6% grade for tests. And the train worked OK.
See this video…..
Here is the layout plan ‘so far’ Since it will be in my wife’s old pottery ‘studio’ it will be a line that connects a clay quarry and a pottery factory. It’s two-level, if you can follow the dwg..
One last problem to overcome – I use hook and chain couplings on the garden line, but since the indoor will be for shunting. I’ll need couplings that are easier to operate. Hmmmm…. Something magnetic? Or hook and loop?
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm
- gregh
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Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
Much as I love electronics, I doubt that will ever happen. Nice dream though.
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm
- tom_tom_go
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Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
That's good, you are cooking with gas now.......
I'm not much help with couplers, especially on that sort of curve. Hook and loop are pretty much bullet proof though, if you can stand the appearance.
Maybe experiment with something like Rik's bent wire ones, which are unobtrusive, especially if you use magnets for uncoupling instead of ramps.
Regards,
Graeme
- idlemarvel
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Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
Very carefully planned and tested, Greg, it deserves to be a success. Well done and thanks for documenting this for the benefit of others.
Dave Miller
currently building the 5" gauge Circle Line
currently building the 5" gauge Circle Line
Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
It looks to be a real masterpiece in the making. One question though, what are the O/A dims?
Philip
- gregh
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Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
You can scale off the plan but it is 2.0m on the right side, 2.8m across and 1.2m on the left side (triangular bit)
They are a fantastic idea Tom. Very, very clever. I have always liked the centre chopper types. BUT how would they go on the tight curves? They would have to 'swivel' a lot. Can they do that?
When I said magnetic I was thinking of this type of thing - 2 magnets - one north pole and one south pole so a wagon could always 'grab' another. These were just experiments - not completely successful. They are too 'wiggly' and can get all tied up!
I haven't really thought about how to get them uncoupled.
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm
Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
Greg,
Just a thought for you - I've also always liked the way Tom's magnetic choppers work, but only having one Accucraft fitted loco it has never been economically viable to retrofit them to everything. I've played with various other DIY couplings thoughts but never found anything that I'm happy with. Then about 3 weeks ago, looking again at Tom's video of them in action I remembered that I had 3d printed some extra coupling pockets for him some while back, and that got me wondering whether I could actually print a whole coupling.
So far it's looking hopeful, the only bit left to do is fit the self-centring springs, which are currently somewhere on the way from China. The printed couplings I've played with so far have been to basically the same dims as Accucraft, but there is no reason as far as I can see why the pockets couldn't be made as wide as necessary to allow for whatever side play is required to go round your curves. The only slight unknown is the size of spring necessary to not get knotted. That then might require the pocket to be made longer and that in turn might increase the amount of swivel required, and that then might in require a longer spring, etc ....!
I can't post any pics atm, because I'm away, but will when I get back.
Philip
- tom_tom_go
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Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
Hi Greg,
They negotiated 2ft 6" with ease, I reckon they will work for you.
I will get a photo of two items coupled together so you can see how much they can swivel.
They negotiated 2ft 6" with ease, I reckon they will work for you.
I will get a photo of two items coupled together so you can see how much they can swivel.
Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
This is so brilliant Greg. Can't wait to see how you end up with a running line. It's one to contemplate for indoor winter running here.....
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: Dreaming of a small Indoor layout
Very interesting. I'll follow your work with interest.
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