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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 13:47:33 GMT -5
Hello ...
Everybody is thinking of hatches in the landscape, removable parts of mountains, etc ... In my case the layout will be a table, about 80cm from bottom, and I am thinking of hatches in the base plate, near the tracks in the tunnels, so I can reach them at least for cleaning from beneath the layout ; there are clothes for glasses with a kind of alcohol ... Good or bad idea ?
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Post by markm on Jun 14, 2017 15:07:41 GMT -5
I think this and your earlier description are an appropriate design. I can't decide if it's worth the effort as I rarely had problems with derailments in my tunnels of similar design as yours.
One thing I did with those tunnels that might be of use to you is that I broke up a long tunnel with what's called here a snow shed. It's basically a concrete or wooden structure that protects the tracks in a mountainous terrain where rock/mud/snow slides could block or destroy the tracks. They're used on numerous routes in the Rocky Mountains and westward. I know they are also used in the Alps and Pyrenees. I don't know about Appalachia.
Mine which was about 100mm long modelled the old wood sheds on the Transcontinental railroad and could be lifted out.
I don't recall you mentioning details of your topography, but a snow shed might be a way to split one of your tunnels. I believe there is a kit version of a concrete shed available for Z.
Mark
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 16:39:08 GMT -5
Thank You Mark but such snow sheds are not compatible with the landscape I am planning. About derailments, they shouldn't occur, for that reason I will test my layout for several months. Contact problems at the joiners will be avoided with one feeder pair per section (I found a method for soldering which works very fast) ; the only problem is cleaning the tracks.
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Post by smr on Jun 14, 2017 16:50:11 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 17:21:37 GMT -5
Thanks, but I wanna build again the same landscape as for my former N-layout, but with single track and simplified stations, and less buildings ; some pictures can be seen on page 4 of the topic about "nominal voltages for locomotives" that I started April 21th (a "derailed" topic), and a plan for the new layout in the topic about "platform width" from June 5th.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 17:43:01 GMT -5
Questions : 1) My layout will be covered by a piece of fabric when not in use ; and the first reason is to protect the LANDSCAPE against dust (to avoid "unwanted weathering" of the colours ! ). On the pictures my former layout was ... 30 years old (look at the colours). 2) I think I will use a cleaning car. 3) Rokuhan tracks are made of nickel-silver, they aren't (like the Arnold tracks) subject to ... rust ! Now, frankly speaking, how often do You think I will have to clean the track inside the tunnels, which are by nature more protected against dust than "free, open" tracks (the hatches in the bottom will have a removable cover) ? And, because I will use REAL DC (not even PWM), there will be less "sparks" than with DCC.  |
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Post by markm on Jun 14, 2017 18:03:32 GMT -5
I've been using the Aztec cleaning car for years and I've found no need to do much more with a covered track. The nickel-silver track will develop a nickel oxide under humid conditions that I will wipe off the section here I start my track cleaning car, but not much more.
Mark
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Post by santafesuperchief on Jun 14, 2017 18:12:03 GMT -5
Here is a work in progress, I didn't like the idea of a removable mountain or a back door so I too went underneath the module! I made sure I had plenty of room to negotiate prior to building the mountain up! I plan to use the Aztec cleaning car as well! goo.gl/photos/e41xBYop67e5MGVS8 |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 18:34:44 GMT -5
That's EXACTLY what I am planning to do, but with an additional cover "under" the hatch, so in case of a derailment (if somebody "hits" the table) the rolling stock can't fall directly to ground. And there will be a piece of plywood over the track, to avoid parts of foam falling down. For cleaning, I think I will rather use a Märklin car ("wet" cleaning) with another coupler (MTL, it seems possible) and removed buffers. As I wrote I will make a "special run", so it doesn't bother how the car looks like. Another problem : Aztec cars are NOT distributed in Europe !
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Post by markm on Jun 14, 2017 21:08:38 GMT -5
As for the details of cleaning, I think much will depend on your desired operation. I run a test track (http://www.azlforum.com/post/10074) on all my locomotives. The includes a 20 minute break-in run followed by speed/power vs. voltage characterization from 10VDC down to stall (typically about 10kph scale for AZL). I also do some load characterization (1 to 5 autoracks)I have been using only the cleaner car prior to the break-in run. I have consistent operation under these conditions.
I don't know the effectiveness of the Märklin car but will assume similar to Aztec. Considering the size and speed of the locomotives previous discussed, from my experience I don't think you'll have any issues.
Mark
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2017 21:38:49 GMT -5
Thanks for Your answers ! I saw that, even between experienced z-modellers, the views differ ... |
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Post by markm on Jun 14, 2017 22:38:24 GMT -5
If we all always agreed, all our layouts would look exactly the same....
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Post by domi on Jun 18, 2017 3:41:35 GMT -5
That's EXACTLY what I am planning to do, but with an additional cover "under" the hatch, so in case of a derailment (if somebody "hits" the table) the rolling stock can't fall directly to ground. And there will be a piece of plywood over the track, to avoid parts of foam falling down. For cleaning, I think I will rather use a Märklin car ("wet" cleaning) with another coupler (MTL, it seems possible) and removed buffers. As I wrote I will make a "special run", so it doesn't bother how the car looks like. Another problem : Aztec cars are NOT distributed in Europe ! Hi neighbour.  I guess not using a credit card for online ordering may be the most difficult thing for a Z-scaler. Maybe you could ask a friend or a neighbour to use his credit card to purchase an Aztec clearing car... I purchased one online, directly on their website. It's expensive (~ $70) but it's definitly worth using one. www.aztectrains.com/Z_2.htmlSpeaking of tunnels : mine is about 30" / 70 cm long, stays alongside of the layout's border and I carved two 6" / 15 cm wide hatches on the sides of the layout. These were planned for recovering of any derailed rolling stock and not for track cleaning. Which could be a problem, but which is not as I permanently couple this famous Aztectrains cleaning car in the main consist I run on my layout. This car is BTW the only mean I have to clean track inside the tunnel, it has been so for 8 years I'm running this layout, and I've not the slightest bad contact inside with my AZL and modern MTL equipment (I don't run any MTL F-Unit nor Marklins, so I can't say with these old fashioned dirt-sensitive models). Hope this helps, Dom |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 4:12:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the answer ...
If You look at Aztec's site, You will see that using a credit card is even more difficult : the owner of Aztec writes that one should not send the number via E-Mail, but cut it into 4 or 5 sections and send them separately ; and ordering and paying "online" seems not possible. A friend could order the cars for me, but the procedure is rather complicated !
So I think I will use the Märklin car, and change the couplers (I saw it's possible) ; main advantage : I can perform "wet" cleaning. I will order it at HRT, Germany, I must say it's a very good distributor : one of my locos had a contact problem ; I sent it back, and 10 days after I got it again, the problem had been solved, and the "back" transportation fee was covered by the guarantee !
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Post by neverland on Jun 27, 2017 11:07:58 GMT -5
And speaking of tunnels, I made one from guard guard & spray foam-- my first. It wound up looking like the Poppin' Fresh Dough Boy! I've got a lot of foam to carve!
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