Category: Bench and track work

Posted on in Bench and track work, model rail details, Model Rail overcoming Derailments, Model Railway

Overcoming Model Railway Derailments

Derailments are sent to try us and boy oh boy, do they put your brain into a spin, trying to work out exactly what is causing the derailment. You can have 3 locos with 2 of them going over the track easily but the third loco derails. Go figure!

This derailment is on a new section of track that has been inserted with a new turnout . This new turnout is also in an awkward location which makes it hard to visualize the problem. The front section goes over the track but carriage derails.

I have been struggling to work out why the train derails, so I made these tools to assist me to narrow down what the trouble is. Turns out, there are a few different issues that need to be fixed.

Derailment tools I have found handy.

I have found these self made tools very helpful at checking the rail gaps. These are easily

made and assist you to check the track in a number of different way.

These tools are really home made gauges from styrene sheet. Inside,outside and rail gauges

Posted on in Bench and track work, Model Railway, Model Railway Structures, Track Planning

Swing up bench

Extending a model railway especially when you are trying to keep the overall footprint to a mimium requires careful planning and thought. This swing up flap enables me to roll out the model railway, swing up the flap and enjoy extra functionality in the operation of the railway. The closed down flap footprint only adds approximately 12mm to the width of the layout.

Swing up flap in the closed position. The blue foam is to protect the wall from becoming marked and to provide a safety barrier for the locos and trains.
Swing up flap in up position
Swing up flap under frame – aluminum hollow tube.
Posted on in Bench and track work, Layout Control System, Model Railway, Track Planning

Track plan circuit board

This was an interesting activity to have a go at, with one unforeseen side issue. After I had completed this, I later realised that I was going to undertake an extension to the layout, which meant I not longer had a place for the new turnout on the track plan. But I found that using Train Controller software that a new track plan could easily updated and changed to suit my system. I have since done a couple of other changes to my layout that can be incorporated as well. (Still have one more change to go) The train controller software uses Hot Keys to toggle the turnouts (as well as clicking on the turnout) and you get a visual of the computer monitor to show turnout position. I find this very good, but it is also very handy to have the old system as it can be used when I don’t have the computer on.

Push button track plan turnout indicator and switch.
Lots of wires to hookup to get the circuit board working, but we’ll worth the effort and rewarding after it was finished.
Train Controller track plan. The labels inside the track plan are manual driving routes for automatic and manual driving together.
Posted on in Bench and track work, Model Railway

Laying some track

This was my first time laying track, made a few mistakes, realised some after it was finished which needed to be repaired. I also used a 3 way switch which caused all sorts of trouble and derailments. So I swapped it out for a left and right hand turnout. Problem elimated. I also got confused about the effects of electrofrog and insulfrogs and I still am not sure what to do. I did install a current keeper on my Railmotor which has alleviated to situation but not completely solved the issue. But I will continue to think over the issue.


Posted on in Bench and track work, Model Railway

The journey so far …

After retiring at the end of 2016, I ventured into a new hobby – Model Railway. Wow! Things have changed since I was a boy with my train set, who watched his train and wagons run around that so small and circular track. I found that the whole model train hobby had been turned up on its head (some time ago) with the introduction of DCC (Digital Command Control). I found a new adventure to investigate and learn about.

Living in a very small rural community without easy access to hobby stores or a near by model rail club has meant reliance on the internet, Model Railroader magazine and Video Plus and YouTube. Thankfully there is plenty of good information about my new hobby.

One of the appealing parts of developing my own model railway was the ability to control the whole system via computer. While this has been an adventure, it has had its rewarding challenges. Just recently I have entered the world of Traincontroller Silver software which provides a new and novel aspect to learn about.

The journey begins after much research and planning, deciding on the track plan is the hardest part. (This is an early photo, right at the start)