idlemarvel
Neither idle nor a marvel
Perhaps optimistically but making the most of the late winter sunshine, I decided to pull up and relay my small outdoor layout in preparation for the new season. Previously I had left my track to "float" on ballast (alpine grit) but over the winter ballast has got under the track and made it uneven and got into the points mechanism. So this time I have nailed the track before laying the ballast.
I also decided to simplify the layout. Previously it had all points motored with decoder inside the shed and long cables to the point motors. Instead I had got a Massoth single channel decoder to drive the point motor for the siding, which simplifies the wiring.
The decoder is the black box between the rails to the left of the point.
My other two outdoor points are on a passing loop so I decided to make those sprung points, set to divert to the right in both directions. I have PIKO R5 points and it was a simple matter of moving the small spring under the point cover to a new position, so that it sets the point but still allows rolling stock and locos to push the moving rail aside.
It took a bit of adjustment to get the amount of spring leverage correct. Locos will easily push the spring aside due to their weight but for example a two axle flat bed is much lighter so you have to make sure the spring leverage is not too much to derail such rolling stock. The position in the picture above seems to work well. I assume one could do the same sort of thing with LGB points.
Now ready to run some trains! Here's to some good weather this season for you all.
I also decided to simplify the layout. Previously it had all points motored with decoder inside the shed and long cables to the point motors. Instead I had got a Massoth single channel decoder to drive the point motor for the siding, which simplifies the wiring.
The decoder is the black box between the rails to the left of the point.
My other two outdoor points are on a passing loop so I decided to make those sprung points, set to divert to the right in both directions. I have PIKO R5 points and it was a simple matter of moving the small spring under the point cover to a new position, so that it sets the point but still allows rolling stock and locos to push the moving rail aside.
It took a bit of adjustment to get the amount of spring leverage correct. Locos will easily push the spring aside due to their weight but for example a two axle flat bed is much lighter so you have to make sure the spring leverage is not too much to derail such rolling stock. The position in the picture above seems to work well. I assume one could do the same sort of thing with LGB points.
Now ready to run some trains! Here's to some good weather this season for you all.
