My layout

[cptkent]

Greetings,

As happens from time to time, people introduce their projects on this forum.

Now it’s my turn.

My town is named. Population 830, and comprised of the usual modular buildings, off the shelf sets and some custom terrain.

 

I have a train line that is the backbone of the layout, and that’s why I’ve posted on this forum rather than over at the “Town” forum (come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve ever been to the Town forum….).

I like to think of what I’m doing as “the story of a town”, but really it has always been a train layout with a town, rather than visa versa. If I hadn’t wanted to run trains, I’m not sure I’d have built a town.

Much of the layout could be called WIP. I have a tendency to start a project, and not finish it immediately. Some sections of the track are RC, but I hope to convert it all to 9V, just awaiting some appropriate switches and (the sticking point) R120 curves.

You may have already come across some of my photos on Flickr (where most of my images are), or more recently Instagram (which I dislike intensely) or perhaps you are one of the 8 people to have watched one of my videos….

<Edit - Currently not active>

As I write this, my 5th video is now on Youtube, and it’s a “tour of the layout”. I hope to do one of these tours each year, just to document the evolution of the town.

It’s been a ~15 year project to date, but doesn’t necessarily look that way as it’s been rebuilt and relocated a few times. It’s a big project because I tend to design and build and photograph and write blogs and make videos…… There is always something to do and NEVER enough time, which I’m sure you all find with your own work. Progress has been rapid the last year (while COVID has me at home) but probably not so much from now on as I head back to work.

If you have any questions, ask away. I tend not to reply on the other places.

David

Mayor / CEO / builder / cleaner….

Edited March 31, 2022 by cptkent
Formatting. Picture can't be added - gave up.

[Stuartn]

Brilliant work, the layout will look epic when finally complete (thought it is already phenomenal). The amount of effort already invested is great, and I am enjoying the regular updates.

[Ropefish]

nice and simple! wish i had the space of a layout this size ( and the money hahah )

[LegoDW]

You have a lot of space which is awesome.  Will be interesting to see your layout develop.

One question, you stated wanting to convert to 100% 9 V.  I am in the process of converting to PU and using the Lego App for automation.  Are you planning on running multiple trains on your layout at the same time?  Believe this could be done with a 9 V system, but as the track is always has powered all trains would have to run at the same speed and direction.  What are you plans?

 

 

 

 

 

[zephyr1934]

Some nice terrain elements you've got there

[Brickwolf]

Great layout.

[cptkent]

@Stuartn Thanks. I wish I could make more regular updates.

@RopefishThanks. Size isn't everything. Some days I'd like it a little smaller so I could finish something.

@LegoDWI plan on converting the entire layout to 9v - I just need the fxbricks switches, and then R120 curves.

The purpose of having it all metal and 9V is

1. Because it like the look of the metal rails, and I'd rather just have all the track like that.
2. I'd like to be able to run 9v LEGO sets without modification - I don't want to modify my original 9V trains to PU.

As for automation - I've just not crossed that bridge yet. It seems like a big subject, with lots of options and decisions, that is ever changing. I just seem to be putting it off until a really great solution seems obvious and easy - I'm hoping someone will visit my layout one day and just fix it for me!!

@zephyr1934Thanks. It's something I'm interested in, and seem to spend too much time pursuing!

@BrickwolfThanks for the comment.

[LegoDW]

One thought, if you do convert to 100% 9 volt.  You could run one train with a 9 V motor on the metal tracks.  A second train could be run on PU, that way you could control one or both so they don't hit each other.  Another option is adding a senor on the PU train.  If properly placed could automatically stop the PU train if it senses the 9 V one.

Automating my trains is more fun then I thought.  Fairly easy to have a train run forward thru a switch, then reverse its direction and have it go the alternate direction of said switch.  I use this control strategy to back a train into a siding.  

Your layout is too large not to have multiple trains running what ever you decide.