Planning is progressing well for the lower level staging yard. Using AnyRail, I’ve been trying out a few designs for the two staging yards, one for the freight and one for the Metra passenger service. While using track planning software helps a huge deal, nothing beats laying it out in situ. In fact, doing so showed up a huge flaw in the AnyRail plan I’d done, or rather, the way AnyRail does the turnout drawing (I’ll show you what that was in a future video). In the meantime, I printed out the adjusted track plan and overlaid it on the […]
HELIX BUILD: Block Detection – Episode 9
Follow along as I continue the build of my N scale model railroad. In this episode I complete the helix build by showing you the hardware I use for the block detection of my helix and give you a demonstration of the block detection in use. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow my layout building progress. Also please follow my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/chicagosubnscale as I will be adding photos and updates to that as I build my new layout.
HELIX BUILD: Wiring and track layout – Episode 8
Follow along as I continue the build of my N scale model railroad. In this episode I complete the wiring and track laying in the helix. I explain how I did the blocks for train detection and how I wired the helix. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow my layout building progress. Also please follow my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/chicagosubnscale as I will be adding photos and updates to that as I build my new layout.
Helix completed!
Productive day today – finished the wiring of my helix and connected it to the Digitrax BXP88 block detector. Successfully ran 2 shuttle schedules using Railroad & Co, testing two locos up and down the helix. Now just to wait for the first baseboard kits to arrive and I can get started on my yards.
Layout update: Helix track
The exciting part has started…gluing down the track on the helix and adding the wiring! Busy filming it all, so new video out soon!
LAYOUT UPDATE: Building a new (N scale) Model Railroad – Episode 7
Follow along as I continue the build of my N scale model railroad. In this episode I do a test of the helix using a freight and passenger train, as well as giving an update on my track planning using AnyRail. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow my layout building progress. Also please follow my Facebook page, as I will be adding photos and updates to that as I build my new layout.
Quick Helix update
Bit of a delay with the next video, but in the meantime the rest of my Kato track has arrived for the helix…so here’s a photo of the first train to the top!! New video out later this week!
HELIX BUILD: Building a new (N scale) Model Railroad – Episode 6
Follow along as I continue the build of my N scale model railroad. In this episode I unbox the laser-cut N scale helix kit, and then progress with the building of this kit. I’ll show you all the steps and explain the process as I build this helix. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow my layout building progress. Also please follow my Facebook page as I will be adding photos and updates to that as I build my new layout. The laser-cut helix kit was bought from Gleiswendel Shop (Track Helix shop) https://www.gleiswendelshop.de/ This is a […]
Build an N scale Helix in less than 2 hours?!
Yep, it’s possible! This helix took me about 1.5hrs to build, including cutting the base it’s going to be sitting on. Thank goodness for laser-cut helix kits! Build video out soon, hopefully later this week.
Building a new (N scale) Model Railroad – Episode 5
Following on from my fourth video, in Episode 5 I finally start on my track planning, beginning with the helix, which will be the anchor point from where the track planning starts. Follow on as I explain why I’m doing this, as well as what track I have chosen for the helix, and how I’ve decided on a size for the helix. More to come in the following months (& years!), including researching and photographing locations, deciding on a track plan, and then the fun bit…the actual construction! Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel to follow my progress!