Brian’s been back in touch. This time he’s added 14 turnout motors to his layout:
“Hi Al,
A lot of work done on the layout but not much to show as it is quite a long drawn out tedious of job adding 14 Blue Point Motors under the layout to match the track layout above.
First off, I remodelled the corner section on the lower level by removing the river bed and the two bridges (as seen in a previous article). It was too awkward for the track to fit where the industry’s would be. River and bridges removed as seen below.
Added a mountain in the corner to hide the wires leading up to the top level. A lot of scenery still be added in the near future.
Needed threaded rod (2mm diameter) to connect the Blue Point motors under the layout to the front facia panel. Shown here is the rod being held in the vice and cutting thread on the ends.
Blue Point Motors under the layout, one rod, left connected to the knob on the facia so far and the next one hanging ready be connected to the front facia.
Shown here are the knobs used to operate the points.
Below is a view looking down the lines to the yard and engine terminal facilities.
An overall view of the last leg on the lower level of the layout. Still have a river leading onto part of the harbour shown on the left. Can also be seen top left in the second photo below.
A view below looking in the opposite direction with the brewery in the far corner. The Seafood Emporium will be placed in the cut-out of the harbour seen below.
Once all the track work is complete and tested, I can then concentrate on the best part of my hobby – filling in all the empty spaces with buildings and lots of details.
Still have a lot of structures to build. Very easy to do as the shelf is only 600mm wide.
This is far as I am with this last section and I must mention my friend Mike, as he has been a great help in getting this far and his expertise in soldering has been fantastic. Droppers and wiring ect. as well as above and below the layout.
That’s all for now – till next time.
Brian – the HOn3 guy in Knysna.”
A big thanks to Brain for sharing how he adds his turnout motors.
I do love seeing how he turns a blank canvess into a detailed layout. As Brian says, this is the tedius part, so I thought it would be fun to make a youtube of the more finished parts.
Just so you know, it the software that adds the water ripples – though Brian’s water is spot on, as you can see in the pics.
That’s all for this time folks.
Please do keep ’em coming.
And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
PPS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.
Need buildings for your layout? Have a look at the Silly Discount bundle.
Nice harbour scenic
This display deserves way more than a few posts. The threaded rod is approach even I haven’t considered, was always array of piano wires. Imagine stops are in place so as not to distort switches or disable weak links.
The harbour… I had to watch tube several times as I thought wave movement was accomplished by bright lamp shining off ripples as rotating camera. Yes, have viewed this layout in past and a favorite.
I also like the snail-pace attitude and finish things when you want to! Never ending and many times better ideas pop up before completion and start ripping up rail as usually seen. Not sure on boulder behind brewery, if representing part of larger rock formation or stand alone. The brewery… now who wouldn’t have wanted a job in that place. Reminds me of leather tannery, I was employed as electrician back in 70’s. When finishing hides (patent leather) I would leave premises… place blew up once with those Methyl fumes, all explosion proof electrical. Had steam generators to add humidity and sheet steel flooring. Exciting employment, before OSHA.
And Regarding, R
Love the real water scenes in the vid,either CGI Or Real. Which is it?
The Critic
Brian,
Nice layout. As an old hand, I think you should take your time at this stage. Be sure the track is right before moving on to the next stage. Run every train you have and borrow some from someone else to see; what if? Run every combination possible and not just once around. Run, run, run, test, test test. Once you start the scenery, it can be much harder to fix track problems, or more likely, you will ignore them till it is too late.
Answers: Rich B – thank you for the kind words, the Blue Point switch machines have an activator arm which locks in place in either direction and the knobs on the front match the travel. It is the software that adds the water ripples that Alastair uses.
Robert, the critic, it is the software that adds the water ripples that Alastair uses.
Rob Mc, I am a great believer of continuously running trains until I am happy that the track work is okay.
Dangerous Dave – thank you and keep your videos coming.
Brian- the HOn3 guy in Knysna RSA
I am a bit confused. The turnout motors operate electrically? So why are you making knobs to control them? Based on not having a great deal of luck wiring my turnouts successfully as a teen (45+ years ago), more often than not, burning them out,, I was going to attempt knobs or wire systems to gently pull or push for my turnouts.
Can you clear the fog for me on your use of motors and knobs, unless the knobs are used as an electrical switch?
Charles, the Blue Point (correct name is Blue Point Switch Machine ) and the ones that I use are NOT eclectically controlled but manually via the rod to a knob on the facia for push/pull as seen in the photo of them mounted under the layout. It has a double pole double throw switch attached under the control allowing you to use for lights on the control panel, for point throw direction or for power to the direction of the track.
Very easy to mount using a jig for drilling the screw holes and the main hole. It is available separately. If need be, ask Alastair to give you my email address and
I can send you photos of the BPSM mounting installation. You could also google them and see all the information that you would need. There are other methods described on their web site showing you a cable mounting system but I chose the solid rod system (much simpler) as I only have layout shelves 12 inches wide (top level) and 24 inches wide on the bottom level, therefore the rods can be as long or short depending on where your points are above.
I hope this enlightened you.
Brian – the HOn3 guy in Knysna RSA.