Weekend Update 10/2/16

[SP-Wolf]

@arbomambo -- Another wonderful module.

Looking forward to seeing it completed.

Wolf

[CNR5529]

The NTrak Roadshow set up a 25ft x 27ft layout at the Brampton model railway show this weekend. Not only was this one of our largest setups yet, it was also the first train show in southern Ontario to feature FreemoN modules!

Thanks to @Big Train for kick-starting the Free-mo N craze in the golden horseshoe area! Over the summer he built Kerdi Jct., a reversible NTrak module which will allow us to branch off either inside or outside of the Ntrak loop with all the FreemoN-y goodness we can handle. There was a lot of interest from other modelers and the general public alike.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Here are two of my CNR steam engines, an E-7-a mogul and an S-3-a mikado, running a doubleheaded wayfreight.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Finally, later on in the day my friends at the S Scale Workshop let me run a special movement over their layout.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Fun was had by all!

[JMaurer1]

CNR5529: How do you overcome the height difference between NTrak and Fre-mo?

[C855B]

CNR5529: How do you overcome the height difference between NTrak and Fre-mo?

From the photo, it looks like they don't. Perfectly reasonable situation when you have a FreeMoN group willing to keep a second set of legs handy for N-Trak compatibility. Certainly a better solution than building a helix and schlepping the monstrosity to shows where you want combined operation and insist on keeping the FreeMoN bits at the standard height.

[Scottl]

The NTrak Roadshow set up a 25ft x 27ft layout at the Brampton model railway show this weekend. Not only was this one of our largest setups yet, it was also the first train show in southern Ontario to feature FreemoN modules!

Thanks to @Big Train for kick-starting the Free-mo N craze in the golden horseshoe area! Over the summer he built Kerdi Jct., a reversible NTrak module which will allow us to branch off either inside or outside of the Ntrak loop with all the FreemoN-y goodness we can handle. There was a lot of interest from other modelers and the general public alike.

(Attachment Link)

Here are two of my CNR steam engines, an E-7-a mogul and an S-3-a mikado, running a doubleheaded wayfreight.

(Attachment Link)

Finally, later on in the day my friends at the S Scale Workshop let me run a special movement over their layout.

(Attachment Link)

Fun was had by all!

That looks great.  Any other Ontario shows planned for this?  Any links to organizers?

[glakedylan]

Dremel + Shop vac = rockwork for the Queenman Canyon end cap!

this is such very creative and skilled work
i admire your ability to take foam to a place of realistic land forms


i am wondering if there was a reason for changing from pink to blue foam
other than what materials you had on hand.


thanks for sharing!
sincerely
Gary

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Doing tedious stuff this weekend on the CSX Hanover Sub.  Picked apart a box of SuperTrees to get ready for painting and leafing.  (Another topic, what does anyone do, if anything, with the scrap, broken pieces, box on right)

Send them to me to populate the undergrowth!

But seriously, prep them like real trees and banish clump foliage forever from your layout.

[CNR5529]

CNR5529: How do you overcome the height difference between NTrak and Fre-mo?

From the photo, it looks like they don't. Perfectly reasonable situation when you have a FreeMoN group willing to keep a second set of legs handy for N-Trak compatibility. Certainly a better solution than building a helix and schlepping the monstrosity to shows where you want combined operation and insist on keeping the FreeMoN bits at the standard height.

Close, but its actually the other way around! After years of bravely fighting in battle, the war was finally won: the NTrak Roadshow is no longer Ntrak compliant. We chose to raise the layout to a height of 50" (while also changing cinch jones connectors to powerpoles and updating the wiring). The new height has had many benefits for our group, we can look at our trains instead of down on them, the duck-under is almost a foot higher, and there is less damage to the layout because parents now have to hold up their kids to see... no little hands grabbing at stuff and less big fingers poking at everything while asking "what's this made of?" Did I mention that the new height just happens to be FreemoN height? It has been a generally positive change.

That looks great.  Any other Ontario shows planned for this?  Any links to organizers?

We usually participate in a dozen or so shows every year. Ancaster, Paris, Woodstock, Brantford, Brampton, sometimes Kitchener, Doors Open Toronto, and the occasional other show here and there. A good place to keep tabs on Ontario train shows is this site: http://www.railwaypages.com/ontario-show-and-event-calendar. If ever you are in the area, come by, say hi and run some trains with us!

[C855B]

Close, but its actually the other way around! After years of bravely fighting in battle, the war was finally won: the NTrak Roadshow is no longer Ntrak compliant. We chose to raise the layout to a height of 50" (while also changing cinch jones connectors to powerpoles and updating the wiring). The new height has had many benefits for our group, we can look at our trains instead of down on them, the duck-under is almost a foot higher, and there is less damage to the layout because parents now have to hold up their kids to see... no little hands grabbing at stuff and less big fingers poking at everything while asking "what's this made of?" Did I mention that the new height just happens to be FreemoN height? It has been a generally positive change. ...

Well then, very cool! I agree with the advantages, being one of the few left in our N-Trak club limber enough to crawl under the layout for the necessities of setup. Of course, I say this after converting our five yard modules (one of many projects I don't have time for!) to a new leg system at the standard 40". I might mention this idea again to our crew, but given the pushback I get from daring to mention Code 55, it won't get a lot of play. Even a couple of the younger ones refuse to give-up their pizza cutters. Sad.

[CNR5529]

I might mention this idea again to our crew, but given the pushback I get from daring to mention Code 55, it won't get a lot of play. Even a couple of the younger ones refuse to give-up their pizza cutters. Sad.

Go for it! I wont tell you that the change came easily at first, but it was worth it. Some of our members were sold from day one, while others refused to even consider it. What we ended up doing was getting enough legs for a core amount of modules and just tried the new height for one of our smaller shows. Worst case scenario, we could just revert back at the next show. We haven't looked back since! Some members who have seen the same trains on the same modules from the same viewing angle for the last 30 years now have a renewed interest in participating because of this new perspective. The only downside is we can no longer connect to other NTrak groups, something we haven't done since 2003!

As for the pizza cutters and code 55, I can sympathize. The way we see it, we will always have some members that want to do the roundy round thing, and get to run their pizza cutter equipped rolling stock. Fine. They can stay on the Ntrak loop. The rest of us who yearn for more get to operate the FreemoN "branch". The key is right out of the gate we are aiming high for our FreemoN modules. We are striving for flawless operation and top notch modeling. There will possibly be a day when the two layouts will become independent of one another, and that is ok, but we also acknowledge that there is a need for both within our group. The future is looking bright!

[Scottl]

We usually participate in a dozen or so shows every year. Ancaster, Paris, Woodstock, Brantford, Brampton, sometimes Kitchener, Doors Open Toronto, and the occasional other show here and there. A good place to keep tabs on Ontario train shows is this site: http://www.railwaypages.com/ontario-show-and-event-calendar. If ever you are in the area, come by, say hi and run some trains with us!

Great link, thanks.  My son is in school in Toronto so we spend more time in the GTA now.

[JMaurer1]

Close, but its actually the other way around! After years of bravely fighting in battle, the war was finally won: the NTrak Roadshow is no longer Ntrak compliant. We chose to raise the layout to a height of 50" (while also changing cinch jones connectors to powerpoles and updating the wiring). The new height has had many benefits for our group, we can look at our trains instead of down on them, the duck-under is almost a foot higher, and there is less damage to the layout because parents now have to hold up their kids to see... no little hands grabbing at stuff and less big fingers poking at everything while asking "what's this made of?" Did I mention that the new height just happens to be FreemoN height? It has been a generally positive change.
We usually participate in a dozen or so shows every year. Ancaster, Paris, Woodstock, Brantford, Brampton, sometimes Kitchener, Doors Open Toronto, and the occasional other show here and there. A good place to keep tabs on Ontario train shows is this site: http://www.railwaypages.com/ontario-show-and-event-calendar. If ever you are in the area, come by, say hi and run some trains with us!

We have been thinking about doing the same (especially since 2 locomotives disappeared off the layout at the last show) but our legs are attached to the modules (think fold out). We have been talking about making a Fre-mon adapter but I don't want a helix (too difficult to move and...just stupid). It seems easier to just change legs...especially with the additional benefits of being higher and safer.

[chuck geiger]

Moved to a new place upstairs with an awesome view and more room for the layout.

[mighalpern]

Got my Pi mounted in the "official Pi case"  and cleaned up the back side of the layout, but now I have a problen running trains thru my phone.  I wrote about it on the DCC/electrical

still a cool like computer

[wm3798]

I suppose pulling an old section of the layout out of mothballs to dress up for a photo shoot counts as progress, right?

This bit used to bridge the gap across the window air conditioner on the Thomas Sub, carrying the line to the yard at Elkins.



I'm going to add about 8" to the front so I can install the Owings Mills station I built for Medford Trains, and of course, I'll add a few trees every night, like you do.

Hopefully it will be presentable in time for the Mike McGrattan Memorial Special to arrive.

Lee