Atomic Systems

Hi all. My new layout is slowly taking shape, so i thought i'd post a few pics to let you all see.

The main baseboard was an absolute steal. I picked it up at a local exhibition for £45, brand new and unused. It still needs some cross bracing under the boards, but other than that, it has saved me loads of time and effort.

The layout is based somewhere between 1989-onwards, so i should be able to run several different periods, ie late BR, right through to EWS etc and will probably be based somewhere in the Northwest, possibly near to Warrington.

It's at a very early stage, with track/points placed in the position they will finally be in. Track is SMP finescale, with the points undecided. Either 'Tillig' elite, or i'll bite the bullet and handbuild them from some SMP point kits i bought on Ebay.

The basic plan is an elongated 'S' shape, with a fiddle yard/hidden sidings at each end.

Pic 1 shows the fiddle yard end, with the main line entering from the right and curving onto the main baseboards. The cement factory (built from a Walthers kit, imported from the USA), stands on the left, with three freight/or loco stabling sidings to the right. The cardboard wall at the end marks the position of a scenic break. Platform ends will exit under this, onto the main board, to give the impression of a larger station beyond.

Pic 2 shows the opposite end of the board. The 158 in the lower left is standing at the platform ends (marked by the flat pieces of card on the board), with the 66 in a bay platform. The 158 in the background is standing where the hidden sidings for this end of the layout will be.

Pic 3 shows the whole layout again. The main board is 12ft x 3ft, with the smaller extension for the fiddle yard being 5ft x 18".

Pic 4 shows the same end, with a temporary scenic break in position. This will be a road or rail bridge when finished. The twin Cargowaggon is standing on a siding of the cement works. This and the siding next to it will be filled flush, to represent a concrete hardstanding for lorry loading. etc.

As work progresses, more to be posted! Enjoy and any comments, feedback more than welcome!

James

Pic 1

http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 57930.html


Pic 2

http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 57931.html


Pic 3

http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 57932.html


Pic 4

http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 57933.html

Very cool!

Looks good! My new creation is still at the pencil and paper stage (oh yes, and we actually have to build the new house whose loft it will be going in!). Hopefully next year.

Hi all. Work on the layout is progressing in fits and starts. After the recent purchase of some assembled SMP scaleway points from an internet auction site, i indulged in a frenzy of track laying, which has seen a significant amount of the main lines/engineers yard laid.

Pic 1 http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 06158.html
Fiddle yard end. The two main lines disappear to the right, under a road bridge (when i build it!). Cement factory to the left. The cargowaggons are standing on what will be an inlaid section of track, giving a hardstanding for lorries/fork lift trucks etc.. Engineers yard/loco stabling to the right where the 66 stands.

Pic 2 http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 06159.html

More of the same. The signal box is a heavily modified Triang item. The original steps were cut off and a new end wall built up from plasticard. The base was then covered with Wills embossed brickwork plasticard and the upper story detailed with plastic strip. New steps built from plastic strip.

Pic 3 http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 06160.html

Pointwork at the entry to the engineers yard/loco stabling. Bought ready built via E*ay. Magnificent work by the guy who sold them!

Pic 4 http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 06161.html

Looking in the opposite direction. And yes, i am a messy worker!

Pic 5 http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 06162.html

Elevated view of the entrance to the small yard and main running lines.

Pic 6 http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 06163.html

Looking along the work so far. I'm pleased with it! Early days yet, but its looking ok in my eyes!

James

Well, after posting the last set of pics, i took a long hard look at the work so far and took the obvious step.................i ripped it all up and started again! The 'new' layout will be much simpler, but with the same operating appeal.
The bit that really prompted me to start again was comparing the handmade points i'd purchased off ebay, to the Peco ones i'd laid down. It was like comparing a Rolls Royce to an Austin Metro. So, the new layout will only feature the hand made points. Pics to follow!!

James

Handbuilt points are ALWAYS going to be the better choice. In the lates 70's I handbuilt ALL the track for a 20' by 16' layout. Almost 6 months work of 2 or 3 hours each evening plus some hours on weekends.
The finished result was something you couldn't buy. Unfortunately I no longer have any pictures of the layout.

Hello again all. Ok, too many ideas and not enough time is my big problem! The layout is on its 4th (and hopefully last) incarnation, but i am now stuck and need assistance. As you will be aware from the previous posts, i am using handmade, copperclad points, purchased off Ebay. The problem is this. The points require jumper wires between the frog and stock rails etc, but i do not know where to put them in order to get trains running in BOTH directions. IE, a temporary lash up sees trains running in the 'straight ahead' direction, but when the point is thrown, a short occurs and the loco stops dead. If anyone can assist, please have a look at the link, which has a rough (and i mean rough!) schematic of the point, with the gaps in the switch rails shown. Basically, how do i wire the points for running??

Many thanks, James

http://jamesbradley890.picturebook.org. ... 70039.html

Basically you need to switch the polarity of the live frog with a switch on the bottom of the point motor. I would expect when using hand made pointwork you will use slowmotion pointmotors rarther then the usual peco or hornby type as these have a very harsh motion.

Many slowmo point motors have inbuilt switches for this.

As for the point blades these need conecting to the rail they contact with. This will stop them relying on pure contact to energise them. Also at the frog end of each point you will need two insulating fish plates on the two inner rails to prevent shorts.

Great stuff. Thanks very much for the information. Trying to work out how to get things moving was driving me nuts. I intend to use 'Tortoise' point motors which (according to the blurb), have power routing/switching.

James

Austcoop wrote:I intend to use 'Tortoise' point motors

thats the one's coudne't remember the name of them.