Greater Loftchester

[Michaelaface]

Hi Michaela,

Now this one is going to keep you busy for a LONG time !!
Moving from Budget to Sound ! I hope your current job pays
well.
That is quite a large space to have available, lucky old you.

Geoff T.

aha "sound" I just thought I'd try out some of those TTS decoders, still trying to decide if it's worth delving further down that rabbit hole, besides I should really get everything finished before messing about with that, and I'm still on a budget! I've hardly bought anything for this layout so far, been able to recycle almost everything from my old ones, the only "big" cost is that I've had to replace all of my C&L track (it had been used on 3 layouts, plus it was a nightmare to ballast) also I'm still going to be using the section where I build all the track myself (which is the next task)

[Michaelaface]

Started work on getting the automation set up on my layout, here’s a video

https://youtu.be/ENRUZd5E8Tc

[Dad-1]

Hi Michaela,

Nice, but I'd like to see where & how your automation holds and rotates traffic.

Geoff T.

[Montfort]

Seems that automation works fine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTT7k-N1qfU

[Michaelaface]

Hi Michaela,

Nice, but I'd like to see where & how your automation holds and rotates traffic.

Geoff T.

I see Montfort has beaten me to it and already posted the time-lapse video I made of my fiddle yard

[Dad-1]

Thanks for that, quite impressive.

Geoff T.

[TimberSurf]

Yes, I too was wondering how different trains were using the same track, very good! Clever idea to use the time lapse too!

[Michaelaface]

should probably get some photos into this thread

Here are a load of station buildings I've been working on



Fiddle yard trackwork



and the longest train I can get into said fiddle yard

[Dublo]

Wow very nice all looking good there Michaela.

[Dad-1]

Hi Michaela,

Very neat and clean construction.
I do like your weathered one at the back.

Geoff T.

[Montfort]

Well done. What kind of points did you use ?

[Michaelaface]

thank you everyone, and the points are peco code 75 small points

[Montfort]

...and the points are peco code 75 small points

Thanks.

[Michaelaface]

Give me some thoughts please fellow modelers, I keep putting off building the next sections to my layout, here's why

The terminus section, my plan for this would be that I'd build all the trackwork myself, I started this task and it was all looking great! then a slight accident with some plastic weld melted a small part of the pointwork, but the thought of having to rebuild that section completely destroyed my motivation, so my question here is, do I persevere and build the track here, or do I just buy some RTR points and get on with it, broken down a bit more this argument is time vs money, I'm leaning more toward just buying points now as I just want to get a move on with the whole lot, but it does mean spending a bit more money than I'd intended

The second thing I've been putting off is the raised section, firstly, I'm not sure what height to commit to with this, I've worked out there need to be a clearance of around 8-10cms for trains, but do I want minimum or do I go a bit higher? but with higher would that blend in with the lower scenery as well? and as for the track plan I'm not sure whether to keep the top level pain like the lower level or add in some points for scenic interest

thoughts gang?

[TimberSurf]

Re pointwork, as you have the skills, could you not cut a section out and repair it? (pictures, please)
Re height, what you have laid is not quite as per the previous diagram, could you give us an up to date diagram? I have issue with the previous diagram that the upper track would be obscuring access/sight to the lower track.
You need 6mm (better 12mm) above your highest train clearance for structural thickness and a bit of reality, but height always tends to be compromised to be the absolute minimum to keep the the interconnecting incline gradients as shallow as possible, if the two levels are not connected, then it can be as high as you like!
The use of rocky cliffs and retaining walls will assist with the scenic connection between the two.