Hey guys,

I've been slowly gathering things to build my own train layout, I now am in the possession of 4 engines, namely the GP40 in extremely mint condition and a Santa Fe in a fair state and 2 non powered GP's and around 12 to 15 feet of tracks.
I plan to build a 3' x 8' layout for the same on a blue-core base in my bedroom corner.
Planning to have 8 sidings, 2 stations, 2 tunnels. But! I am stuck at the wiring of the sidings, as I have no idea as how to connect all 8 sidings using one controller, OR I could go the servo way, but then again I will need the basic RC stuff like a Tx/Rx, Lipo, etc..

I am extremely new to this, but lately have started a liking at model building and the amount of scale that can be achieved on this.
I need help in terms of wiring the sidings and turnarounds for my layouts.
A controller is mostly going to come in after a few days, but I am looking at a DCC controller to be on the safe side.


Any guys already into this hobby, please write your experiences and reviews and please provide guidance so I can achieve my goal of building a scaled layout.

Regards,

Dorwin

Is it possible to control all my 8 sidings using one controller in parallel with individual switches on each one?

@controlflyer
Send a pm to pline on this forum. He is a real expert on model railway.

Thanks man!!

CF

This is so cool. But the stress involved every time the maid comes to sweep the floor!

Haha..
My whole house is carpetted and the layout will not be on the floor, its going to be in the corner of a room with almost 2 feet height.
Got my GP 18 to workplace, everyone wanted to see how small it could get.

CF

Awesome then
yeah even I'm curious . Show some pics of this when u have time

Very interesting  Do post pics if you can. How popular are model railways in India ? Any websites/forums similar to Rcindia for it ?

RC India is for all such models including trains.  The audience preference is skewed through, with the vast majority smitten by the miracle of flight

And modelers of trains seem to a minuscule minority, albeit an elite one

True sir, they surely are elite as it requires skill and dedication of a different level 

Here she is...I am just fascinated by the sheer size and details they put into making her..

Level of detail makes one speechless.

Amazing detail  Would love to do some macro photography with this 

  brilliant stuff. Absolutely to fall in love with

you bet, that's what I'll do tonight.

i have also more than 100 loco coaches and many more but i dont like D.C. stuff i like A.C. stuff we have marklin made in germany we run 12/8 feet public layout 7 trains run control with signals bridges tunnels houses street lights  road etc engine house etc in kankaria balvatika run by municipal corporation ahmedabad  
2 month later we build onother layout with 17 to 20 running trains and its 25/10 feet bellow is my old layout photo

Looking for cheap and super cheap HO Locos and rolling stock. Anyone willing to dispose off - please get in touch.

Awesome stuff gaurang..btw..are thise available in India?? Or even the N or the T gauges?? A "T" gauge inside a glass enclosed coffee table would look awesome...

VC..ebay

I am still into the collecting phase, ordered my DC Power transformer today and a couple of nickel track, will still have to wait as I need sidings, re-railers etc..

The GP 18 runs and lights, the other 2 are dummies waiting for motor..the rest is rolling stock..
eye candy below!!

more candy..

more..

and..

last...

what is your gauge n gauge i have HO gauge identically good gauge even my brother build small layout underside dining table glass working with 2 trains if u can go smaller size u can go Z gauge some years ago marklin dealer in Mumbai but very expensive in compares with all dc stuff u have but this time marklin not easily available in india

N guage, Dorwin, right?

ebay is full of bargain hunters. Not interested. Thanks.

Yes, N gauge..

I have been collecting HO/OO from 1991 and have a sizeable collection today. My lay out would span 15 feet x 15 feet easily. All lying boxed in aluminium trunks - awaiting my old age.

this is bechman or lifelike but my experience told me that u dont build bridges in dc layouts or build with less heights  and vc sir Ho gauge is Slight different than OO gauge only track size is same Ho is 1/87 th scale and
OO is 1/76 scale

I personally don't like OO as it is not true scale. Engines and rolling stock have exaggerated height.

@controlflyer,
Good pics but could be better.
Also, it would always be a better practice if an object of standard size (like a 15 cm scale or a Reynolds ball pen) is kept in the frame for reference / comparison .
Just my two bits. 

Nice pics, try composing a little more creatively though. Slightly off topic, what equipment did you use for the photography ? If you get a slightly longer depth of field, it would look more realistic.

used a Canon D550, in terms of creativity, I am still about to start the layout, then I suppose the level of creativity would come into picture.
These are only shots taken to show the level of details on this one.
I tried getting a bit longer DOF, but the contrast on my carpet...aaaah..

Anyone knows how to make the turnout switches using servos?
I got a couple of them lying around.

Guys, I have the follwoing:
 servos
 different rating transformers from 6v to 12 volts.
 switches
 
Is it possible to control all these servos using a single transformer say 12volts individually?

appreciate!

Is it possible to fabricate a multi servo controller?

there is a separate mechanism available for control turnouts by same controller  

As you said that the turnouts can be controlled by the same controller.
In my 10 cent knowledge about laying tracks of say, 4' x 2' in an "L" layout, would it there be enough power in one controller to control say 6 turnouts/sidings and one engine pulling say 10 cars, without compromising on the power distribution to the entire layout?
What I mean is would there be enough power to continuously power one running engine and also control 6 sidings/turnouts?
The controller is around 7~9volts, the engine runs good on a 7 volt controller, but then every time I switch the siding, will it affect the speed of the engine as there will be some power loss.
Please clarify this, because I've been breaking my head.

OR there is another option to use 2 transformers, one which will connect to the controller and the other to the sidings only.
Does this make any sense?

if u have basic set controller so u must use another transformer for controlled operating signals turnouts etc or u can use bigger controller for same train operating and turnouts etc operating  
in this picture shows dual connections there is 4 pins 2 is for train controlling and another 2 for turnouts and accessory

That looks like the Bachmann HO-G gauge controller..
I too have the newer version of the Bachmann controller, with an input of 16V I can control turnouts using that too..but I think I will go with the separate transformer idea..
Thanks for your input!

CF

Now that the "MAN" project is almost come to an end, am getting back to the layout building.
Things that I already have include:
12 feet of flex track,
40 + curved tracks,
1 GP 18 Diesel Engine.
1 F7A Engine,
20 Rolling stock of misc. like tankers, freight cars etc..

Bachmann transformer and controller.
30+ rapido couplers.

Things that are on the way:

1 GP Diesel Engine,
17 Rolling stock, freight cars, tankers etc..
One bundle of Mixed tracks, sidings, turnouts.

Got the "ISO board" from one of my office mates. (He was using it for his presentations"
Have to get 2 more ISO boards.

Today's topic will be tree making, will post pictures of how I make trees of Electrical wires salvaged from my workplace.
Probably a test run too..
Stay tuned!!

CF-

I too have the 4 pinned ones, but is it possible to control 7 turnouts on that one controller alone without the use of tortoise?

Recently met someone who is interested in model trains. See details in images  
The signals are functional, the train stops when it approaches a red light. It was implemented with custom electronics and a custom built controller.

PS: I am not associated with this person/agency in any way.

What are you making the trees out of? For the foliage, I used to experiment with multi strand brake wire, tiny pieces of sponge, coloured sawdust (which was strained into required grit sizes) and Fevicol. The trunk was made out of MSeal around the brake wire.

Check this page:

VC, I have no part in making of this setup and dont know what the trees are made from. I happened to visit the place couple of weeks back

Rajath - it wasn't for you - see reply#39.

A simple method I would use to make trees is to go and buy sponges in multiple shades of green, yellow and brown. Then... Dump them in a blender and blend it till its a fine - ish powder.
Then I would go outside and get twigs, which I would spray paint and then dip in a tub of diluted fevicol. Then roll it around the blended sponge powder...

Hope this helps!
Regards
Aniket

For the trees..I've just started makin them.
Ill make them using electrical wires then solder it so the melted lead spreads evenly into the wires.
Your ideas for the foilage and leaves is great stuff.
This is what I need from you guys!!
ideas..
Thanks!!!

Vc thanks for the video..great stuff..super easy.

one link for u videos and photos of worlds most largest and beautiful model train layouts
http://www.pilentum.de/

and some scenery tips
 http://rrmodelcraftsman.com/extraboard/cm_extra_scenerytipsandtechniques.php

Thank you Gaurang, appreciate your kind gesture..here's a snap shot of my layout plan.
Good news, the Mr's has approved to allocate some space in her gym..

Some random shots of my trains!

Some reason the layout isn't getting uploaded.

CF-

some more..

will try to get the layout plan here...
there's a video I made, rather small, but it shows the engine coupling the cars and rolling them to their destination.
Problem is, I am work and my 4G switches to 3G, so will post it once I reach home...

trying to upload the layout plan..

for an easy layout building..
I got RTS and SCARM.
For a newbie like me, I like to work on SCARM
Highly recommended for new guys building their first layout!

CF--

i think table width should be minimum 4 feet
 

My layout will be atleast 2.5 meters minimum!!

Some pictures.

Note: the layout is still in the same state as I seriously have no time to work on it..As someone said, "this hobby is best kept for your old age"

some more...

and..

and...

and...

That bridge is made from foam board!

...

...

the architectural structures are made from paper...

For the scenery I used woodland scenics, for the terrain I used the white cloth which looks like a gauze mixed with white cement.

Hey control one thing I need to say this that its really good the layout and specially the scenic beauty

Very good plan and scenery controlflyer

Which scale? N scale or HO scale

Thank you
This is a N gauge setup.

Thank you..

Wow happy to know so many Railway Fans out there, will upload my Railways SOON !!!

yes please do!!