Ed’s been in touch:
“I live in NC and recently visited the Model RR Club of Hendersonville.
Located in a old REA building their 100′ x 18′ HO layout has to be the ultimate one anywhere.
ALL Peco track and expensive switches (galore) 3 connected rooms, multiple thru track systems, local period scenery and very well done.
Here’s what impresses you; real time wireless, moving video at track level, all DCC controled sound, switches and signaling included, video track layout monitors w/touch screen or I Pad interface for trains, switches, uncouplers etc.
Manual switch controls along the track section where the switches are. Multiple members can follow their engines around the whole layout by using an app on their phones and watching some very sophisticated blocking signals.
Big $$. How do they do it? Apparently Hendersonville is home to a lot of retired electrical engineers and wealthy train buffs.
Ed”
Hi Al,
First an update on the under-bed storage 00-gauge layout; for why? Because five trains on six sidings in a wardrobe doesn’t give much room for manoeuvre (which is half the fun!).
The 00-gauge under-bed layout has now been built as a folded triple-loop, overall dimensions 1970mm x 1174mm(6ft 6in x 3ft 10in). Requires a bit of fettling on the curves, occasional derailments still, but a work in progress. And I’ve had all five of my trains running on it simultaneously, using the DCC Controller from my Wardrobe Railway. [Tip: for anyone swapping their controller between different layouts, solder some stiff wire (paper-clip wire is perfect) to the ends of your leads, for simple connection into the controller’s spring-grips.]
More on this layout later when I’ve completed it: how to make quick-fit scenery such as stations with no room for platforms, bridges with no room for supports, lightweight tunnel, all to be kept in a single under-bed drawer; bearing in mind the track under the bed itself must be less than 2” thick including its base-board. I realise this may not be what most of your readers get up to, but that might make it interesting!
Back to my wardrobe, and I find it’s easy to lose track – at 00-scale – of just how big these locos were. A couple of period motorcycle combinations trackside keep things in proportion.
My daughter was having a clear-out and unearthed a Spitfire we made together many years back. That’s 00-scale too, so it sits on a convenient wardrobe shelf. To add a touch of realism, I photo-shopped some sky onto a piece of A4 paper: not perfect, but it is a working wardrobe!
Keep up the good work, always a pleasure reading what others get up to,
All Best,
Robert
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming. Just mail me.
And don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to stop dreaming, and start doing.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
