Hi John

Thanks

This being the first time I have wired a layout, I am finding it very interesting - and time consuming. More so that the scenery to be honest

Mike

What a fantastic process!

I've just discovered model trains when I inherited my Dad's Marklin stuff from the 1950's a couple of months ago, and have been poking at various layouts to experiment and learn from. I hope you don't mind flattery in the form of imitation, because I would love to take this basic layout and turn it into a U-shape as a project to use as a learning process. I've learned a lot just from reading about your process.

This has been extraordinarily illuminating. Thanks so much for posting all of your impressive progress and talents!

Hi Mike,

Nice organised wiring, thanks for the pics. I notice you use D computer plugs, 9 ,15 or 21.

I also notice your use of the Marklin connector pieces (the older ones), for which you have allowed ample room for plugging/unplugging.
I made the mistake on my layout of putting the connector strips (newer type) too close together, and as a result, have too little space to use all the connectors available. I am unable to shift them, because of touching fixed current connector pieces between modules (all 8).

regards
Kimball

Hennabm - I'm really not sure anyone wants to see my project, especially after a few moments of browsing all the magnificent work on this site. As of last November, I knew almost nothing about trains, absolutely nothing about electricity, and less than nothing about landscaping and modeling.

As for my Dad, he left a very simple setup which he bought in Germany in the early 1950's and augmented a bit in the 1970's. I never really saw it set up, except for a very basic circle he would put together on a coffee table at Christmas.

His original locomotive is a DA800 he obtained in 1954. The other locomotive he obtained in the 1970's, and has DB 81 004 as markings.

He had an assortment of rail cars that went with it, including both passenger cars that I think were from the 1950's as well as a mix of industrial cars from both the 1950's and 1970's. I've augmented those with some beer cars off of Ebay, just because.

He didn't have much track. Two turnouts, a crossing, a paved street crossing. Some basic buildings – an old station that's very cool but a bit beat up, a water wheel that doesn't operate. I expect I will replace all of the buildings, unless I can get the water wheel operating again.

He had two Super 280 transformers, one of which tried to cremate me along with my house by basically exploding the first time I plugged it in. I am either going to find someone who can re-wire both of them for me or buy some new ones. Not up for any fire in the train room that isn't a simulation.

When I opened his stuff to simply put up a Christmas loop, I caught a bit of a bug. I went ahead and built an 11x4 table to learn on, which I will rebuild once I am happy with my layout. Your layout was very much the inspiration for it, although I have changed the inner parts a bit. If I get around to learning how to post a picture I might do that once I get along a bit.

It's intimidating to think about how much work is involved, and I don't yet know what all I don't know. Should be a fun process.

It's all about having fun and as long as you are, then you're doin it right! You don't have to spend a fortune, or be a gifted artist or handyman(but it doesn't hurt. lol) to build an enjoyable layout. Everyone on here will give any help we can with any questions or issues.

Bill

I have lots of old and new spare parts here.

Hi Stephen

Doh - I've already ordered several sets for my 7188s from ebay.de.

Don't suppose you have some bulbs for the 7187 of both colours????

cheers
Mike

Hi all

I've had some luck tonight and sold my 110v trafo to a chap in Essex (via ebay)

This brought a smile to my face after spending a frustrating afternoon wondering why a 7188 wouldn't work.

Having read all the instructions I knew of, it told me to earth the grey box if not connected to the track via the base plate. This was done.

However........no matter what I did whether it was change the bulbs or check the connections a 100 times, the mast would not light.
I tried a test lamp on each connection and it worked but I still couldn't get the mast to light

FINALLY a light went on - in my mind- try earting the mast post. Guess what it worked

Yet no where does it tell me to earth the mast as well.

Anyway success and so to bed in time for the first GP this year

Mike

Hi Ian



It did feel like ground - hog day at times

It is now all finished and waiting for a dry day for the first trial run.


During the trial fit I will also be adding the wiring for the 7072 etc as I'm not sure of the required lengths until the trafo shelves get added to the modules.




The circuit wires are all there as are the multiplugs etc.

I will also need to drill several more holes to feed the buildings in the Altstadt and several others.

More news when it happens

Mike
PS well done to Kimi.

Edited by user 17 March 2013 17:02:46(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Mike,

Great job, looking forward to hearing all about the trial run(s).

Ian.

Hi Ian

Thanks

I'm just hoping that I can get a few dry days before the big day to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Tick tock......

Mike

Hi Mike,

Hope you're not losing any sleep over it........check the post time.

My excuse is letting the dogs out.

Ian.

Hi are you still planning to have a running day! as i have lost your details on my phone!

Hi Mike. The layout looks super! Extremely good photos too. I love the last photo especially with its

speeding BR E103. Thanks for sharing your fun! Peter

Hi Mike,

A beautiful classic Marklin layout.

Well done!

Brgds - Lasse

Hi Mike,

Great to have some trains running.

Ian.

Hi Alan, Ian, Martin and Lasse

Thanks

The snagging list runs to two pages of notebook. Most of it is touching in the scenery, as can be seen from one or two of the photos. For example where the flock doesn't reach the track fully or where the glue has dried out and the grass mat is lifting on a corner.
Other issues include providing a feed to the other side of a block signal and earthing the masts for the distance signals.

With work and house refurb then I think I will be ready for my next trial in early May.

Mike
PS Alan - how's yours coming along?

Hi Ak

Thanks

The length of the boards in total are 16ft, so taking the two sides and the corners there is about 35-40 ft running on ach circuit. Plenty of room for full power

Mike

Mike,

What I can see, its magic all around

John

Hi Stephen

Thanks

Unfortunately I do not own a digital video camera or any method of transferring video to the interweb.

Also, so far, I haven't taken any video of the layout whatsoever - just stills.

Hopefully that will change on the next trial run and will definitely change at the open day.

Mike

Hi Ian

Oh good. Thank you.

I'm looking forward to seeing my handiwork in action rather than just a still shot or two.

Mike

Tick tock......

Hi Glenn


Thanks

PM sent

Mike