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Contact: info [at] trainaidsa [dot] com
Gallery
Adarsh Narayan (USA)
My layout is in Digital Marklin (HO scale) on K track.
Initially in 2001, I
started with just what I had bought in my first purchase of Marklin
items, a starter set and some extra tracks.
Then I added to the basic layout and redesigned as
I bought additional tracks from local shops which would not have
exactly what I needed at all times. FInally I got to a point where I
had to stop modifying and finalize it.
The final design was a circuit of parallel tracks for travel in
both directions on the basic 16 x 4 layout. However, there are two
station stops. One large/main, and one small on the opposite sides.
There is a goods diversion in one direction and in the large station,
the passenger trains can come to two positions, basically one platform
with tracks on both sides. This involved adding some tracks and
turnouts to accomodate
possibility of another train running a different circuit, with a few
common blocks. My approach is to do as much as I can with the 6021
controller
that came with the starter set. I am no expert in electronics
or electrical work, but some of it lingers in the brain from college
days.
I use reed switches and contact tracks etc. to activate devices or just contact track to enable power continuity at another location. One simple trick I use to activate the sound in the Diesel locos is to cover a puko so that it provides a very short power break to the loco. That triggers the sound in the loco. I like all the experimentation which also becomes necessary as I try to achieve what I want, but without computerisation or expensive equipment. Though in some cases, there is a trade-off. There is no locomotive/train positioning/sensing assistance by electronic devices such as S88 or other IR or photo devices, no controls using K83/K84 decoder assisted switching devices. The locos all have Motorola digital decoders but not in the latest MFX format. One has been converted to a LokSound II to give it sound.
The fun lasts longer as I keep modifying my layout or activation
techniques and brings challenges in finding solutions without resorting
to sophisticated electronics. The approach remains, to maximize what is
possible with the basic digital design of the system.
What,
where & why ?
This is the overall view of the layout prior to adding an extension in
2006.
Since the layout is based on my childhood memories, attempts have been made to
bring in elements that create the illusion of India in the 50's and 60's,
without making
it an unbeatable challenge.
No specific location or railway segment is depicted by this layout,
which was assembled in stages as and when components could be obtained.
The layout as is shown and originally constructed, was 16 ft x 4 ft.
A 6 ft x 4 ft extension was added in 2006 which is still under construction as is the whole layout. The extension is towards the
lower right of this
picture. The bridges in the main layout were made beforehand, but the track went nowhere
until the extension was made.
Other pictures are refered to using this as the base photograph.
That makes it easy. A diagram of the whole layout is planned to be
included at the bottom.
How?
Total track run on the original layout was about 140 ft. One main station
(roofless/structureless till now) is on the right side. The grey platform is visible. 
Its length was based on a full train of 11 passenger cars
which used to be normal in intercity fast trains in India. But that
looks too big and plans are afoot to modify the design a bit. I might
do it during the planned integration of this AC layout with DCC.
A second, smaller station which was created to act as an interesting break
to the layout, can be seen at the middle of the left side.
The lower quadrant semaphores are by Hornby that have been modified.
They are activated by either a Fulgurex or Veissmann motor depending on
what was available at the time and where & how the motor could be
installed. During the expansion, this signal has been moved closer to the station.
Lighting Strips in Passenger cars
The very short movie on the left, shows the S12 lighting strips
installed without any conversion of Marklin AC power to DC or any other
adjustments. The power is being provided to these strips directly from
the tracks. The positive feed is from the pickup shoe under the tender
directly wired through current conducting couplers running through the
train. The ground is picked up via the wheels in each car. In the last
car, the strip has been cut into two and installed with wire connectors
in between to create a gap. This was a test to see how they will look.
The idea being to convey the feeling that only two parts of the car are
lighted with dark compartments in between.
Replacing Incandescent Bulbs with SMD's
Here I have removed the bulbs that these street lights come with and used prewired SMD's.
Just threaded the wires through and before fixing the SMD inside the
top shade. Placed an insulating tape (or it can be coated with an
insulating medium). Then pressed the SMD back into the shade and
applied a little droplet of cyanoacrylate adhesive. It can also be
epoxy or anything to hold it in position. I will now paint the inside
of the shade with silver or white paint to cover the black tape. Click image to see an enlarged image.
Made my own Street Light using prewired SMD's
I took a 3mm dia brass tube and bent it to a shape similar to my other
lamp. I then slit one end about 8mm long along to open it in a
"butterfly" fashion and filed the edges smooth. Threaded a prewired SMD
through it, using the same principle as the lamp post above. Before
fixing the SMD to the top shade, I insulated it with a small piece of
insulating tape. Then I pressed the SMD back and applied a little
droplet of cyanoacrylate adhesive to hold it in position. The inside
and outside were painted with gray to see how it all worked. These two
were the first try. Click image to see an enlarged image.
Some more views. Click on images to see enlarged views:
. . . . More to come . . .
Contact:
I would be happy to reply to questions relating to my work displayed
here. Please send messages to:
"model_train_hobby (at) yahoo.com".