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Non Tool Forum => The Break Room => Topic started by: Chako on December 18, 2010, 05:17:24 AM

Title: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on December 18, 2010, 05:17:24 AM: When I was a kid, my father built a simple railroad on a piece of plywood. I was too young to appreciate it and consequently, it hardly got used. Well, I just bought a Bachmann DCC train system with an extra track pack. The idea is to possibly build a table diorama that is portable and all. Not sure if I will get to that point, however, today, I did lay some track in my living room to test out the DCC system. It works nicely. I have 3 DCC equipped engines, the pride being my Kato Algoma Central Railway engine and 8 passenger cars. The ACR is the local rail, and you all saw my August trip to Agawa Canyon on this same train. Now I have a model of it.

The DCC system is rather neat. I can control several engines on the same track, with switchovers, etc. Each DCC enabled engine can be programmed with up to 10 ID addresses.

Anyways, you may have already seen the video I took of my small Canadian Pacific train set that goes on a circular track through the Christmas village, well here is a short video of the ACR train running along a quick test setup in the living room.

The lighting wasn't the best.

Central Algoma Rail (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUNnAvGHK1s#ws)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: cerbera147 on December 18, 2010, 10:29:20 AM: Pretty cool :tu:

My Dad had really large railway set in the attic of our first house. I can't get more technical than that I'm afraid but I remember it being really amazing :D

It was on two levels with papier-mâché grass banks and little people. I must ask him if there are any old photos.

Looking forward to seeing this develop Dan :salute:
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Neil on December 18, 2010, 01:33:00 PM: I quite like model railways. Not enough to have one myself but... I have a five and seven year old so all is good ;)

Up until now they've been more than happy with wooden track. Admittedly wooden track to extremes as I've been buying them bags of the stuff from carboot sales for the last five years. As a result most layouts take up eight square meters or more. Which is cool until you try and negotiate the living room floor at night, in the dark :ahhh :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: ryan1835 on December 18, 2010, 01:43:20 PM: Quote from: Neil on December 18, 2010, 01:33:00 PM
I quite like model railways. Not enough to have one myself but... I have a five and seven year old so all is good ;)

Up until now they've been more than happy with wooden track. Admittedly wooden track to extremes as I've been buying them bags of the stuff from carboot sales for the last five years. As a result most layouts take up eight square meters or more. Which is cool until you try and negotiate the living room floor at night, in the dark :ahhh :D

you mean brio? i used to love that stuff
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Neil on December 18, 2010, 01:52:20 PM: Brio, ELC, etc. yes. Loads of companies make compatible stuff these days. They have boxes full. Christmas will bring the arrival of Lego trains. We shall see if it usurps the wooden network or if they consider that Bee Land can deal with running two different gauges :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on December 18, 2010, 04:33:15 PM: :D

I am sort of branching out right now unsure what I want to focus on. The video shows my ACR HO train with an SD40 #180 engine. It is rather long as each passenger car is a foot long and with 8 different cars...it is lengthy. My biggest beef with HO is that it takes up so much room.

I also have a few N scale items coming in. I am thinking of buying a train set later today at the local hobby shop. However, this set won't be DCC compatible, even though I do have the DCC controller for the HO system which is also N scale compatible. If I decide to get into this scale because of its much smaller size, I will have to buy a few DCC equipped engines at a later date.

I also just bought off of eBay a T scale train set with all the fixings. These come from Japan and are the smallest commercially sold scaled trains. The tracks are only 3mm apart. I bought houses, cars, people, trees, extra track, and a 4 car passenger train. My idea is to make a portable diorama. I am fascinated with the scale of the whole thing.

New Braunfels 1st Annual Model Trainshow Competition T scale Z scale train layout SanTrak (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUGmgcIKw_0#)

Yes, I know, I am into too many things. :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Neil on December 18, 2010, 04:40:32 PM: Wow, that is tiny! :o
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: J-sews on December 18, 2010, 08:58:23 PM: Yipes! My handful of thumbs would never get on with a train set that small. :-\
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: ufox9al on December 19, 2010, 11:35:45 PM: When I was growing up in Ukraine, my "treasure" was a DDR-made TT scale model railroad set. When we emigrated I brought a couple of pieces with me, and having recently discovered that my kids showed some interest in them, re-built my collection. Ironically, while TT scale was invented in the US, it is practically non-existent in North America. It is a leding scale in Europe though, and some people are trying (again) to bring it to these shores. Check out www.ttnut.com (http://www.ttnut.com). I would be happy to send you a few pieces to try the scale out for size. Fitting between HO and N, it is considered by some to be the "ideal scale" :)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on December 30, 2010, 05:47:46 PM: I just got something a little special yesterday. The smallest commercially sold train produced by a single company in Japan. This T gauge train (T standing for three because the distance between the tracks are only 3mm) is very small.

I bought this thinking I would like to make a diorama in a suitcase or something of its ilk. I also bought extra track pieces, buildings, trees, vehicles, and people.

The train is so small, that there is a tool to set the train on its tracks...otherwise, it would be super difficult thing to do.

In the following short video shot with my Canon S5 Is (excuse the poor quality), you can see the 4 cars in motion around a simple oval track. In the background is an N scale blue passenger car, and behind that, a light blue stock car in HO scale. The two middle cars are the engines, and the two outer cars are unpowered. I was amazed that there is an actual working headlight and taillight on something so small.

(Excuse the typo in the title. Too much work to fix it at this point as it doesn't affect the scale ratio I am trying to convey anyways). :D
T guage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTMRPLv8O2A#)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Sazabi on December 30, 2010, 05:53:40 PM: It's cute, Chako. :) I can't believe how small it is. o.o;
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Neil on December 31, 2010, 09:51:46 PM: Wow, that is really tiny. I like your idea of doing a scene in a case :tu:

At the opposite end of the spectrum we have Lego trains running in the living room since Christmas. I can't believe how big they are :ahhh :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on January 09, 2011, 06:36:27 PM: I was looking for a nice place to store the HO cars when I came across this nice method on eBay. I just installed it to my wall. Turns the trains into room decor. The top engine is the model for the Algoma Central Railway engine #180, which my friend worked on before his retirement. When I told him I had one, he showed me a few pictures of his days working at the ACR rail yard. Neat history there.

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0556small-1.jpg)

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0560small.jpg)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on January 10, 2011, 04:56:26 AM: Here is a quick video of an N Scale track test run that I made on the kitchen table.

N Scale test run (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRsPbTlGBgE#)

Yes, that is my Knifeless Fuse doing jury duty on the build.
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on February 13, 2011, 04:08:08 PM: Well a little update and a few more photographs.

I decided to up the ante and make a nice diorama to go with the N scale trains that I have. I looked all over and saw a kit that fit the bill. It is a Woodland Scenics "Scenic Ridge" kit. The kit comes with everything to make mountains, trees, pavement, tunnels, etc. Once build, the diorama will be 3' X 6'. I also bought the accessory Atlas track pack that was made for this kit, knowing that the Bachmann EZ tracks that I currently have would not fit the diorama. I also bought a low temperature glue gun and hot wire foam cutter for the build.

In lieu of the specific building kit, I decided to buy some buildings off of eBay. I liked the Tomytec N scale buildings, and bought a lot of those. Along with a few other mixed buildings, I now have everything except for people and cars which are hopefully here before March Break...which is my planned build date.

I just placed the buildings and some Bachmann track and my trains on the top of the box for storage, and rough planning. Here are some photos.

Scenic Ridge came with a lot of accessories inside this box, along with a lot of foam building materials and plaster cloth. The hot wire cutter and glue gun did not come with the kit.
(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0659small-1.jpg)

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0655small-1.jpg)

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0657small-1.jpg)

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0658small-1.jpg)

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0660small-1.jpg)

(http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r207/Chako_photo/Leather%20Projects/IMG_0654small-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: David on February 13, 2011, 04:59:39 PM: Looks like your getting the makings for a good layout there Chako.
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Whoey on February 13, 2011, 05:13:37 PM: needs a busted up Delorian on the tracks...
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Gareth on February 13, 2011, 07:11:11 PM: Looks like you have lots of stuff to play with there Chako. :tu: Looking forward to seeing the whole diorama.
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Neil on February 14, 2011, 12:20:44 AM: Quote from: Whoey on February 13, 2011, 05:13:37 PM
needs a busted up Delorian on the tracks...

LoL :D

:pok: Go on, you know you want to.
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: kirk13 on February 14, 2011, 01:03:58 AM: You've showed us yours,so I'll show you mine :D

My layout is built on three baseboards,and is just over 4 feet in length.It operates on the terminus to terminus principle,and represents a steam preservation line,loosely based on the old Northern Irish NCC railway.It also means I can run whatever I like >:D.It is in N Guage,and roughly 1/148 scale,or 2mm scale equals one foot real.Buildings are either kit built or Hornby Liddle End(usually repainted).Motive power is mostly based arround Midland designs of the mid 30s(the NCC was a subsiduary of the LMS),but I run Fleishmann and Bachman German and US engines as well.

And yes...I should get out more! :think:

(http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy104/kirk130013/th_JWRMOVIE.jpg) (http://s782.photobucket.com/albums/yy104/kirk130013/?action=view&current=JWRMOVIE.mp4)

(http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy104/kirk130013/thorwithtolworthstock.jpg)

(http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy104/kirk130013/tigerntankengineatstaton.jpg)

(http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy104/kirk130013/overheadofhalt.jpg)

Oh yeh,the railway is the B+DCR,or the Broke and Done Cheaply
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on February 14, 2011, 01:04:16 AM: :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: J-sews on February 14, 2011, 01:10:23 AM: I saw a GP9 go by. :)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: David on February 14, 2011, 04:52:50 AM: Quote from: J-sews on February 14, 2011, 01:10:23 AM
I saw a GP9 go by. :)

Was that GP9 still a high nose or has it been chopped? :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: J-sews on February 14, 2011, 05:36:29 AM: Quote from: David on February 14, 2011, 04:52:50 AM
Quote from: J-sews on February 14, 2011, 01:10:23 AM
I saw a GP9 go by. :)

Was that GP9 still a high nose or has it been chopped? :D

High nose. :D (no idea how they got it across the Atlantic though) :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: dks on February 12, 2021, 09:21:53 AM: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9251581/And-stop-200ft-Man-recreates-rail-junction-Britains-biggest-model-railway.html

UK's biggest model railway
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Reinier on February 12, 2021, 10:28:05 AM: Nice thread bump dks!

When Neil was still around :cry:
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Reinier on February 12, 2021, 10:33:19 AM: Quote from: Sazabi on December 30, 2010, 05:53:40 PM
It's cute, Chako. :) I can't believe how small it is. o.o;

Quote from: Neil on December 31, 2010, 09:51:46 PM
Wow, that is really tiny.

Show content
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/2e3b7dbd501ddbb039a59ea9172d9191/tenor.gif?itemid=16786963)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on February 12, 2021, 11:13:12 AM: :iagree: :facepalm: :rofl:
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: pfrsantos on February 12, 2021, 01:49:20 PM: Model railroading... I can just imagine you...

(https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/03/eb/04/c7/abbotsfield-park-miniature.jpg)

:D :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Ray S on March 01, 2021, 09:29:03 PM: Some great stuff being shown here! Although I had a Marx train set when I was a child(I still have it around here somewhere)I never really got into trains.When my wife and I were cleaning out her aunt's house after her passing we came across a train set(actually a couple)that was stashed away in an attic that was almost impossible to access.It was behind a chimney and there was a huge old steamer trunk(empty) and a bunch of cardboard boxes that held the trains and a bunch of cardboard buildings. One train was wrapped in newspapers that were dated 1947!
That train was a Lionel standard gauge 400e with tender;searchlight car,crane,box car,gondola,and caboose.A number of track sections;switches;controllers including a whistle controller,a station and a bridge.
The other train was made of cardboard and was supposed to be made by Lionel during WWII as metal was not available. I still haven't been able to verify that but it is pretty detailed. The buildings and accessories are made by a company called Built Rite.
Since then I have also acquired a battery operated train and cars that is a copy of the monorail used at DisneyWorld and a couple of small Tyco futuristic trains.Sadly I do not have anywhere to set up the trains.Here are some pictures.
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Ray S on March 01, 2021, 09:30:13 PM: Some buildings
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Ray S on March 01, 2021, 09:32:05 PM: Lionel 400e and cars
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Ray S on March 01, 2021, 09:33:33 PM: Standard gauge accessories
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on April 03, 2021, 08:17:52 PM: This is phenomenal...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQTfo32EjvY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQTfo32EjvY)
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Reinier on April 03, 2021, 08:35:05 PM: I got the same recommendation today :P
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: Chako on April 03, 2021, 09:31:39 PM: :D
Title: Re: Model Railroading as a hobby.
Post by: ToolJoe on April 03, 2021, 11:14:32 PM: That railway in Britain is impressive! :tu: