Bohemian Saxony

RichardS

Member
When I introduced myself on joining Western Thunder I mentioned that I was part of a team helping to build an HO continental Tramway for a chap. This is to HO scale and also has an HOm narrow gauge line running through it.
I post updates on my blog thersr.wordpress.com but not everybody wants to get involved with following even more social media and knowing people like pictures I've posted a selection here which show progress from baseboard to the point that we are now starting to colour the landscape and 'girding our loins' to tackle the (non-working) Catenary.
See what you think - like all good things the final beauty will only be skin deep and the foundation is pretty rough!

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We proposed a three level layout by the future owner wanted only two. Three would have been spectacular.

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I've no idea what's going on here. Wires they tell me.

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A trial fitting of back scene formers which would be cut down as profiles later. The track in the very middle is Tillig tram track.

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There are 4 circuits for the trams. The upper level is completely independent of the lower. The lower has a tram depot area and this shot shows the take off of one of the lines into this.

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The future owner specified an Ubahn section. We solved the problem of a lowering gradient by raising the town area and the UBahn is actually part of the 'ground level circuits. Maintaining continuity for the catenary through this section has been achieved by using inverted rail. It seems to work.

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Testing the UBahn! It worked. (Sound's surprised!)

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Being analogue there are several isolating sections and all points are powered. Additional switches have been added now for the lighting in the buildings, the working features, and in due course street lighting.

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Here is the mine circuit on the HOm installation. The reverse loop is controlled by a diode matrix....I understand.

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An overview showing all the tracks. The lower level circuits rise to town level and are also slightly elevated around the tram depot (back). The HOm lines comprise three destinations - mine, forest and town - with a small engine facility near the tram depot.
The beady eyed will spot that only one of the lower circuits goes into the town and then splits into two loops. this allows the impression of trams going in opposite directions around the town. Crafty eh?

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And then there's the cable car. While on holiday in early June in Scotland we went on the Nevis Range cable car and it is essentially the same as we are installing on here.

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Plaster bandage. This hill has the top station for the cable car.


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More Plaster Bandage. This hill bears a small castle and has a church on the stone bit. The hole in the middle is a viewing 'window' for the mine railway.
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Buildings.
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More.

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And yet more. Of note here is the Martinstor (Martins Tower). In reality the tram lines do go through the tower but......the kit is grossly under scale. Might even be 2mm though sold as 3.5mm. To achieve clearance for the catenary we have had to build a new base for one side and extend the walls on the other. In fact the model as shown above is still not tall enough and needs more extension.
 

RichardS

Member
Here's some more.

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Here is a good look at the Tillig tram track. It's strange stuff - ie not what we're used to. But it seems to work

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The usual view from trains and things - the back sides of the buildings. Overlooking the river which at this time had no beginning or end!

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Low relief buildings. The future owner has constructed all the buildings from Faller, Kibri, Noch and Auhegan kits. Although out of box we'll be weathering them and so forth.

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Vista.

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The industrial zone and tram shed

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We have to keep fitting the buildings to see how things look.

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Every building, bridge etc has lighting. To try and get the LEDs at a sensible height drinking straws have been used to support the bulbs. Ideally the lights would have been put into the buildings as they were built but the owner's industry was too efficient. The wooden blocks locate the buildings as they will all have to be moveable for transport to and installation in the owner's house.

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The first Catenary posts and wires were installed through a tunnel as we had to fit them before adding scenery to this part. Bit of a fiddle but look good.
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Right up to date now. This was last week. Plaster bandage has been finished with interior plaster, scribed and first colour washes applied. Tunnel and bridge mouths nearly all complete and much cleaning up has been done. The grey 'thing' in the middle is the base for the Berlin TV tower (Faller). Terribly out of context but the owner likes it. We're going to install lights in the top to make it more authentic and also try to floodlight it.

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Another angel of the first board that starts to look like a layout.
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Castle Hill. the owner doesn't like rocks. But as he has asked for so much to be squeezed in some vertical surfaces are inevitable. we'll try to 'green as much as we can.

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The need for a curved bridge/viaduct at this end was one of those bits that get avoided. The concept here is an old structure that has been modernised with concrete while retaining the stone abutments. Of note is the crossing where the HOm and HO meet. While Tillig do make a suitable off the shelf item, we couldn't get any so one of our number did a cut and shut job on a standard Hornby set track (3 times!) And they work.
The use of concrete sleepered Peco Code 100 is apparently ok for modern tram lines, and as much will be covered by grass reserve and road surfaces little will be seen. Road surfaces - now that's a challenge. Watch this space.

Thanks for looking.
 

RichardS

Member
I haven't updated this thread for a month or two as although work has been progressing it's been largely boring and not very visual. However, one area I am quite pleased with is our experiment with automatic block working using Clive Heathcote's control units. It's early days as yet but we have a 'working' prototype. Working is a generous description. Yes it works but there's lots of fine adjustments to be made to get it 'just so'.

I've uploaded a video to You Tube which shows the first successful running of three trams in the four block prototype. Apologies for the quality but was quite excited that it was 'working'.

I was quite surprised that when I searched the web for information on the Heathcote Block System there was very little which seemed to be available, certainly nothing that I could find on here or RM Web etc.

Anyway here's the link. See what you think.


Regards
RichardS
 

RichardS

Member
Thought you might like an update. Another video of the block working, this time with acceleration and deceleration. Issues - we have found - Trams don't always trigger the IRDOTs - they need white panels underneath. Quality of tram motor is crucial the deceleration is achieved by reducing the voltage (pretty obvious perhaps) but some motors need a bit more than others to keep going - the 'weaklings' come to halt before triggering the 'STOP' command. But as you can see with trams that perform reasonably well the system is actually quite good. Unfortunately the sections on the test installation are to short to really see much variation but on the actual layout some sections are quite long and the performance will be quite interesting. Although you need one empty section more than number of vehicles running, more empty sections would create more variation. I've found this quite fun to do.
 
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