Welcome to Highfield Junction
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I've had a train running most evenings while I potter around in the garden since I extended the track. Probably the most I've used the set since I bought it. Interestingly, because I'm running it more, I'm noticing the layout doesn't actually work quite right for the way I use it. Which is basically a loco trundling around the loop, and every so often as I pass by I take it into a siding and either change the wagons or else park it up and give another loco a run out round the loop. I'm not exactly a power user! 
So I've changed the routing of the sidings and isolated them all so the loco not in use has a place to go, and usefully time keeps the rolling stock placed so there is a lot less hand of god required.
I like seeing pictures of everyones layout, there are so many great ideas out there, so as usual I will add the latest of mine.
So I've changed the routing of the sidings and isolated them all so the loco not in use has a place to go, and usefully time keeps the rolling stock placed so there is a lot less hand of god required.
I like seeing pictures of everyones layout, there are so many great ideas out there, so as usual I will add the latest of mine.
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Check out the one that Capt. Jack just built it is fantasticIts on my (very long) wishlist
Normal procedure would be to create a passing loop. Where the Track Curves into the Station on the left would apear to be the place to give the longest one possible. As your Track apoears loosly laid on ballast the change should not be too tramatic. Using two points would still leave one for a couple of sidings. one train could then be pointing Clockwose the other Anticlockwise thus giving more interest. In time you could even wire up with EPL to swop Trains and direction with Electric Point Motors, Point Motor mounted switches and Isolating Sections.I've had a train running most evenings while I potter around in the garden since I extended the track. Probably the most I've used the set since I bought it. Interestingly, because I'm running it more, I'm noticing the layout doesn't actually work quite right for the way I use it. Which is basically a loco trundling around the loop, and every so often as I pass by I take it into a siding and either change the wagons or else park it up and give another loco a run out round the loop. I'm not exactly a power user!
So I've changed the routing of the sidings and isolated them all so the loco not in use has a place to go, and usefully time keeps the rolling stock placed so there is a lot less hand of god required.
I like seeing pictures of everyones layout, there are so many great ideas out there, so as usual I will add the latest of mine.
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Thanks for taking the time to make these suggestions. Yes, the entire track is sitting loosely on potting grit ballast so any changes are easily made. Good job too, as I keep making them. I did consider a passing loop something along the lines you mentioned, but the downside for me is the awkwardness of reaching to the back part of the track to push the points over. As it stands all the things I need to touch are along the front of the layout. With that in mind I have been thinking about creating a place to pass along the front straight. Its a bit of a compromise I know, but realistically electric points are way down the line for me (if ever), so for now at least, everything being within easy reach is one of the things I prioritise.
Some progress on the layout over the last month or so.
First thing was to wire in a couple of switches for the isolated sidings. For now the panel is a plastic box... I'll make something better once I have finalised just how many isolated sections i want.
Next, now that the evenings are dark, I wanted to add some lights. I had loads of cheap chinese 1.32 scale lamposts left over from a Scalextric project, so using them as a stopgap whilst I ponder over a better solution. All I have done is taken the timer circuit board out of a 6 hour xmas led string decoration... cut the leds off and replaced them with my lamposts. I power it with a 3v psu rather than batteries... all of it housed under the station roof where hopefully it will stay fairly dry.
Lastly, I decided to invest in a couple of Pola buildings to add some visual interest to the line.
Here is the railway as it now stands....
and here is the night time look
and the pola warehouse in daylight
First thing was to wire in a couple of switches for the isolated sidings. For now the panel is a plastic box... I'll make something better once I have finalised just how many isolated sections i want.
Next, now that the evenings are dark, I wanted to add some lights. I had loads of cheap chinese 1.32 scale lamposts left over from a Scalextric project, so using them as a stopgap whilst I ponder over a better solution. All I have done is taken the timer circuit board out of a 6 hour xmas led string decoration... cut the leds off and replaced them with my lamposts. I power it with a 3v psu rather than batteries... all of it housed under the station roof where hopefully it will stay fairly dry.
Lastly, I decided to invest in a couple of Pola buildings to add some visual interest to the line.
Here is the railway as it now stands....
and here is the night time look
and the pola warehouse in daylight
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Unusual to get snow in this part of the country, so when it swept across the village last night I took a few pics of the layout, because it does make it look very different and quite atmospheric. I did intend to clear the line and run something, but the cat wanted to play, and she of course must be obeyed! By the time she had got bored, scratched me and wandered off I was too cold to go back to the train.
And no, I don't carefully store wagons indoors... they live outside. As does my cheapo 2nd hand Stainz, though it does at least get the cover of an engine shed. I realise its probably bad practise, but I do like the convenience of being able to run a train at any time on a whim, without having to go fetch and carry. I accept the risk..... and I do keep my better stuff in the house.
And no, I don't carefully store wagons indoors... they live outside. As does my cheapo 2nd hand Stainz, though it does at least get the cover of an engine shed. I realise its probably bad practise, but I do like the convenience of being able to run a train at any time on a whim, without having to go fetch and carry. I accept the risk..... and I do keep my better stuff in the house.
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A bit of a change in the weather, its really quite mild here in West Sussex. So for the first time in a while I got all my locos (a small collection of 4) out and gave them a run.
I had no trouble at all, I guess because the track has been kept clean by the constant use of the outdoor Stainz over the winter. Theres hardly an evening goes by that that little workhorse doesn't do at least an hours worth of looping the line. Unfortunately he doesn't fit with the loose American theme of my railway, so is removed from the scene when the others come out to play. I plan to 'Americanise' it sometime soon so it doesn't need to hide. (When I started this railway several people suggested it would be a good idea to have some sort of theme, and I laughed it off, saying it didn't bother me to mix things up. However, as things progressed I have to admit I have changed my mind. While still not totally hung up about historical and geographical accuracy, the Stainz as it stands just doesn't fit with everything else).
Heres a pic, which shows all the locos.
The Piko mogul was my first loco, bought with a starter set, and surprisingly its easily the most picky in terms of demanding clean flat track. I'd have thought having more contact points it would be more forgiving.
The modified Stainz was an Ebay puchase from a guy who had started a bash but lost interest. I undid some of his work, added some of my own, and while its not an accurate representation of anything, it doesn't look out of place I dont think.
The little 'Casey' Porter was a Christmas ebay present, bought cheap on a sold as seen basis. It had a few detail bits missing, but to my surprise it runs perfectly. With a bit of tidying up it has turned out to be a nice addition.
I enjoyed seeing everything out, and my appetite is now whetted to get started on this years plans to upgrade the layout! I have a few ideas to improve the look of what's already there, a decent station platform and better lighting for instance. And I have bought a basic shuttle controller, with an eye on creating a simple point to point line through the flower beds.
To think when I started 2 years ago I thought I'd be content with a train circling a basic oval!
I had no trouble at all, I guess because the track has been kept clean by the constant use of the outdoor Stainz over the winter. Theres hardly an evening goes by that that little workhorse doesn't do at least an hours worth of looping the line. Unfortunately he doesn't fit with the loose American theme of my railway, so is removed from the scene when the others come out to play. I plan to 'Americanise' it sometime soon so it doesn't need to hide. (When I started this railway several people suggested it would be a good idea to have some sort of theme, and I laughed it off, saying it didn't bother me to mix things up. However, as things progressed I have to admit I have changed my mind. While still not totally hung up about historical and geographical accuracy, the Stainz as it stands just doesn't fit with everything else).
Heres a pic, which shows all the locos.
The Piko mogul was my first loco, bought with a starter set, and surprisingly its easily the most picky in terms of demanding clean flat track. I'd have thought having more contact points it would be more forgiving.
The modified Stainz was an Ebay puchase from a guy who had started a bash but lost interest. I undid some of his work, added some of my own, and while its not an accurate representation of anything, it doesn't look out of place I dont think.
The little 'Casey' Porter was a Christmas ebay present, bought cheap on a sold as seen basis. It had a few detail bits missing, but to my surprise it runs perfectly. With a bit of tidying up it has turned out to be a nice addition.
I enjoyed seeing everything out, and my appetite is now whetted to get started on this years plans to upgrade the layout! I have a few ideas to improve the look of what's already there, a decent station platform and better lighting for instance. And I have bought a basic shuttle controller, with an eye on creating a simple point to point line through the flower beds.
To think when I started 2 years ago I thought I'd be content with a train circling a basic oval!
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The beautiful weather, coupled with some lovely birthday presents has got me out making some minor alterations to the track, and adding a nice scenic touch to what was a kinda bare area on the layout. Of course, the things I actually planned to do I haven't even started, but plenty of time for that later.
Pictures tell the story much better than words, so here is the way it looks at the moment.
First a long shot from an upstairs window, showing how the track fits in with the garden... and the potential for expansion perhaps. The colourful shed houses my Scalextric track and model workshop.
And here are some close ups of the birthday presents, a Piko church with Piko fencing, and a couple of farm type workers. (I already had the pastor and girl). The 'baby tears' are spreading nicely and give a decent grassy effect. I know from experience they need to be kept in order as they are likely to go places you may not want them too, but hopefully if I keep on top of them it will produce an attractive base for the rest of the planting.
Pictures tell the story much better than words, so here is the way it looks at the moment.
First a long shot from an upstairs window, showing how the track fits in with the garden... and the potential for expansion perhaps. The colourful shed houses my Scalextric track and model workshop.
And here are some close ups of the birthday presents, a Piko church with Piko fencing, and a couple of farm type workers. (I already had the pastor and girl). The 'baby tears' are spreading nicely and give a decent grassy effect. I know from experience they need to be kept in order as they are likely to go places you may not want them too, but hopefully if I keep on top of them it will produce an attractive base for the rest of the planting.
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