Hej from Sweden

B

Bullrails

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Long time lurker in both the hobby and in this forum (at least the few first posts in every thread that is still readable for non-members). Anyway, since I got some rail, wagons, and an engine (all from eBay, all LGB) I might as well take the plunge and start building - And join this awesome forum! Definitely not a midlife crisis, just because I turned 50.

DCC seems fun, so I got an dcc-ex csb1 and I guess that the initial track plan will consist of two reverse loops, one in each end. So first I have to dig in into all the reverse loops discussions to try to understand exactly what I need to get it to work. Even if I am a software-guy, the appeal to this hobby is mainly to get out in the garden and run som trains. Not configuring software :)

Since I live in Sweden the environment is harsh with a lot of different seasons, so expect me in the dead rail discussions as well even if I start out with powered rail. Wish me luck!
 
Bullrails said:
Long time lurker in both the hobby and in this forum (at least the few first posts in every thread that is still readable for non-members). Anyway, since I got some rail, wagons, and an engine (all from eBay, all LGB) I might as well take the plunge and start building - And join this awesome forum! Definitely not a midlife crisis, just because I turned 50.

DCC seems fun, so I got an dcc-ex csb1 and I guess that the initial track plan will consist of two reverse loops, one in each end. So first I have to dig in into all the reverse loops discussions to try to understand exactly what I need to get it to work. Even if I am a software-guy, the appeal to this hobby is mainly to get out in the garden and run som trains. Not configuring software :)

Since I live in Sweden the environment is harsh with a lot of different seasons, so expect me in the dead rail discussions as well even if I start out with powered rail. Wish me luck!
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Welcome to the forum, I see you are thinking of 2 reverse loops. In fact with a single DcC reversing module your system would be ok, the loops are wired the same things only change when the train entered the common bit.

However it could get a but tricky with more than one train though if one were on the loop and the other on the common part so long as the common part train left that part before the other went to it all would be well.
 
Welcome to the forum Bully....
 
Welcome, Bullrail. Looks like you made a sensible start, and thought of the implications of reverse loops. It may be worth thinking of dead rail before plunging into circuit boards though, it'll probably save a few pennies. Then again, the electronic circuitry side of things is almost a hobby of it's own
 
Hi, and wellcome "Bullrails". Got into all this similar age 47 in 2003, all by accident. My Toyota MR2 at the same time was the "midlife crisis" bit. I started live rail DC, mixed in some live steam. Ended up converting to dead rail from about 5 years ago. This all in the milder mid' England climate. We all seem to head this way with age :wasntme:

As you are a software developer I suggest you include a "shunting puzzle" somewhere on your layout. Why ? A software developer friend of mine was fascinated with the permutations of shuffling all the wagons around on one. Kept him busy one Christmas when he and his wife invited me down one time, with the request, "could you bring your railway down with you ?" Could I what ? It was the only practical way of setting up a "railway" at short order, with a live steam loco to operate on it. Look up "shunting puzzle" if you are not familiar with the term and it will become clear why I chose this layout type.

Have fun and see you around. As you have been lurking you will know the level of humour here. Max

An overview of my railway c 2010. It has evolved since, as do all garden railways, and as do the trees and shrubs ! We like pictures :)

Layout N.JPG
 
Welcome aboard, Bullrails. Be prepared for some ribbing. All meant in good faith. We love a good laugh here.....:rofl:
 
Bullrails said:
I’m dividing between ”double reverse loops” or an Inglenook (hand free) as my first setup, both seems to require some thought and dcc understanding :)
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So if you are at the start of this journey, ‘dead rail’ or ‘battery power for locomotives’ if you will is a good idea. I went dead rail a few years back and would not consider a reverse. No track cleaning, no complexities of electrics but just some sensible management of the batteries with charging and use. Your Inglenook is a good idea for a starter, het you used to the scale and shunting is fun. That ‘dog bone’ with reverse loops either end can be a later addition as you get used to things. Remember Rome was not built in a day!
 
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