Puffed Out Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 Hi all.I've just restarted my interest in Hornby Railway, after a 57 year break.I've recently bought two sets from Amazon. 1).Hornby R1228 Industrial Freight Train Set. + Hornby R6891 Triple Fuel Tanker Pack2). Hornby R1167 Flying Scotsman.Plus some extra track, curves and straights, includings 4 pieces of flexi track. And 6 buffers and some fish plates.Just out of interest, I also bought a Laser Model Store 00 Gauge Twin Girder Railway Bridge.I have to admit things have moved on in 57 years. since I had my first Hornby Dublo set.Looking forward to some advice and help.Hoping to build a layout, in the order of 10 feet by 15 feet, or thereabouts. Still very early in the planning stage. I'm still waitng for my orders to arriv from Amazon. Once I get it, then I'll see what extra track I'll need, and potential layout.I've aleady downloaded the guide to getting started. Perhaps I should have concidered that first before my purchases. 😆Anyway, happy to be here. Steve. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howbi Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 For a selection of ideas for your layout design have a look here.... http://www.freetrackplans.com/Home.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 Welcome to the forum. 10' x 15' - decent size. Don't forget access in case of derailments, etc. Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB51 Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 Hi NKOTB - welcome to the forum. Fully appreciate that you have had a layout before but as a first pointer you might want to keep in mind that you will either need access all around the outer edges of your layout - or - an access hole in the middle somewhere for you to reach any derailments which will happen. You have a great space there for a layout and we look forward to hearing more from you as things progress. R- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share Posted January 24, 2020 Thanks for the advice so far. I had considered access to the middle via a hole or trap door.My first port of call today, was my local Builders suppliers, to checkout the sizes for plywood. 8x4 and 10x4. So I bought 3 sheets of 8x4. (To be delivered Saturday).I'm considering a staggered layout, with the one sheet central, the other other two staggered eitherside. Forming a sort of delta layout. . Overall dimentions being 12x12.Or, 2 sheets end to end, with the third set halfway along the length. So giving an overal size of 16x8.I've tested my overall access and my reach, on my dining table. Being over 6 feet tall, it was fine for either.The Free Track Plans are very helpful indeed.I'll have a mess about tomorrow afternoon, and see what's what. Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fazy Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 I'm 6ft tall and have a layout which is 10' x 18' but I have a inside well 6' x 14' so the layout is only ever 2' wide anywere. i may increase this to 3' in places anymore would be to much. yes I could starch further but once scenery is built damage becomes a problematic both of the scenery but also rolling stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted January 25, 2020 Author Share Posted January 25, 2020 Well the day didn't start too well. The ply that I ordered, wasn't the one I paid for.What I got was shuttering ply, and that's about as much use as a cream cracker. Too late for the correct ply, . the shop only trades for the morning.Monday it is, hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted January 27, 2020 Author Share Posted January 27, 2020 Recieved the train sets today.I immediateatly saw an impending problem. Track Link wires seem a bit hit and miss. Any thoughts please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyRailMan Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 One way I have done is to solder red & black wire directly to the rails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted January 29, 2020 Author Share Posted January 29, 2020 One way I have done is to solder red & black wire directly to the rails. I was thinking the same. Could it be soldered to a removable fish plate. I can't see why not, although a bit fiddly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 No don't solder wires to the fishplates. They are the weakest electrical link on the track. Solder to the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 Fishplates are generally stainless steel which is not easiest metal to solder to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37lover Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 I soldered droppers to my fishplates and to date have not had any problems; however I used these soldered fishplates at every rail joint so probably have some redundant continuity. Personally I would much rather solder to fishplates than direct to the rail but that's a reflection on my soldering skills. Some brands are easier than others to take the solder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted January 29, 2020 Author Share Posted January 29, 2020 Well chaps, I've had to seriously have a rethink. I was being rather ambitious with the size of my layout. Not so much the area, but the cost of filling it.So I'll be reducing it to something akin to a 4ft x 12ft or 14ft. So pretty much half the area of what I'd imagined. I did a basic layout of my track without connecting the track together, and I had a job to do a layout on 2, 8ft x 4ft plywood sheets, with what I've purchased. Track layouts look ok from the plans, but in a real life situation it's different. Novice mistake I reckon.Going below 4ft x12ft would be a bit stingy........but it gives me scope to add size, as and when, if I make allowances for track extention/s on this build.Next question........!What is the compatability like with Hornby, with Lima, Rivarossi, Jouef and Electrotren. I only noticed these these makes, on the side of the of a Hornby track extension F and extension B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted February 1, 2020 Author Share Posted February 1, 2020 I had to go the stingy route. The cost of this stuff did surprise me, it's my own fault for not doing the maths. Getting bargains didn't help that much. Down to an 8ft x 4ft.....I'm rather dissappointed in myself, ambition over cost came crashing in.But, at least it's a start, acorns to tree etc. etc.Waiting on some Radius 4 bends, more points, and a some radius 1 bends, to create a goods yard in the middle.Essentialy 3 and half loops. The part centre loop for 0-4-0 only, and the trucks and wagons, and possibly coaches to shunt around. The bridge will be going into storage. It looks pathetic. /media/tinymce_upload/d9f5eebca849c0f37096af08a2c51bba.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyRailMan Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 One way I have done is to solder red & black wire directly to the rails. I was thinking the same. Could it be soldered to a removable fish plate. I can't see why not, although a bit fiddly. Best way is to solder to the under side of each rail between the sleepers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkingthedog Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 But if the track is fixed down solder on the outsude of the rails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellocoloco Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 @Puffed Out Hornby track is fully compatible with Hornby's international brands - Electrotren, Rivarossi, Jouef and Lima - as you noted on the sides of the track packs. Hornby's track is sold alongside these ranges in their respective markets. In general, all HO and OO current models should run on Hornby track. This will include stock from producers across the world so if you fancy some Australian locomotives or Brazilian wagons, have fun on Ebay...........! The only exceptions are 3 rail AC stock which will have a different power and pick up requirement (though wagons can be used if the axles are changed) and some locomotives or wagons may not like tighter cures but that is the same in OO as in HO. Couplings are also different, but that's a whole different can of worms Have fun building your railway........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo1707820979 Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Looks like you have lost several inches of track at each end. Could you not insert a couple of short staights on each side of the layout to give you more running distance ? Protecting each end of the layout with fencing etc. to prevent "dive-offs". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 Looks like you have lost several inches of track at each end. Could you not insert a couple of short staights on each side of the layout to give you more running distance ? Protecting each end of the layout with fencing etc. to prevent "dive-offs".The gaps at either end has now been filled with radius 4 curves, plus straights and points, so another loop. There's about 35mm(sides) to 50mm(ends) space around the track now.Yep, I've put up a barrier on 3 sides, with 50mm x 5mm strips of deal, screwed to the sides.Still waiting for my radius 1 curves to be delivered for partial centre loop. Each loop now has it's own power track connection. Seemed a better idea, rather than soldering bits and bobs for continuity, although more expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 /media/tinymce_upload/14e4bd70d04256c1298623126c5e2ba5.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWR-Gordon-4 Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Looking good so far, Puffed Out. Well done. 😉 😀 GNR-Gordon-4 (HF) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted February 5, 2020 Author Share Posted February 5, 2020 Thankyou.!Updated photo waiting for moderation. ?...........plus I'm still waiting for more track parts to arrive. They seem never ending.At least the outer oval is up and running. Just waiting for the wiring to arrive to connect the other ovals to the power tracks.I'm in no doubt that it wil be altered, after it's all running sweetly......a tweek here and there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyRailMan Posted February 6, 2020 Share Posted February 6, 2020 Looking good it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puffed Out Posted February 6, 2020 Author Share Posted February 6, 2020 Looking good it is.Thanks very much, Donny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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