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!
We proposed a three level layout by the future owner wanted only two. Three would have been spectacular.
I've no idea what's going on here. Wires they tell me.
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.
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.
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.
Testing the UBahn! It worked. (Sound's surprised!)
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.
Here is the mine circuit on the HOm installation. The reverse loop is controlled by a diode matrix....I understand.
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?
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.
Plaster bandage. This hill has the top station for the cable car.
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.
Buildings.
More.
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.
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!
We proposed a three level layout by the future owner wanted only two. Three would have been spectacular.
I've no idea what's going on here. Wires they tell me.
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.
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.
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.
Testing the UBahn! It worked. (Sound's surprised!)
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.
Here is the mine circuit on the HOm installation. The reverse loop is controlled by a diode matrix....I understand.
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?
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.
Plaster bandage. This hill has the top station for the cable car.
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.
Buildings.
More.
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.