Cox train forum?

[Cribbs74]

Thought I would join in the fun as everyone seems to be doing the train thing. I have been promising my son that I would build him a layout since he was around 8 yrs old. He is now 13 and I am finally getting something together. We settled on N scale and are building the Gulf Summit and Susquehanna Valley RR. Also known as the Atlas N-18.

The table itself is a little intricate, as is the layout. I have been sourcing the track pieces for the past year and finally have enough to really get it going. Here are a few pictures.




This last picture is not of my table, but gives an idea of what is going on once the plywood is cut.

[David S]

Nice start on your n scale train layout. I started with a n scale set when I was little.It is Lone Star Treble O made in England.The engines were rubber band drive from the motor to the wheels and it ran pretty good.When Arnold came out with their gear drive engines Lone Star faded away in the train market by the mid 70's.I still have my original set.I also see that you have a Triumph twin the looks to be 1974 or newer and it's most likely a 750CC bike.I also have a nice collection od british motorcycles.There are 2 Cox HO train sets at the local antique store that are complete in their original boxes.Not sure what their selling for,but nice sets.

[rsv1cox]

Wow Ron, you are making progress.  It's taking me forever to get half of your effort done.  N scale allows for a lot of activity and closer radiuses.

I just completed a reverse loop on my layout.  Allows the engine to turn back on itself without just continuing circles.  You have to insulate all four legs and independently power it.  Makes for exciting times throwing switches to observe the correct polarities when entering and exiting.  

I found this stranded 22 gauge wire set on ebay.  Just the colors necessary to wire a layout.  25' each for around $11.

Figure 8 next effort.





Cox train forum?  Not to far out there...….

[944_Jim]

I like it! Analog trains, dual-cab control, isolated track blocks.

No DCC anywhere on the pike...good for you! I see ten switches, 12 track blocks, and a reversing look on the control panel.

Ron showcases the cookie-cutter method of track elevation. I did the same thing. Another hobby frim my childhood. Another hobby the boys didn't care for.

My layout fits on a 2'x4' tabletop. Over/under figure eight wrapping inside of a Main line loop. Of course, my locos are GP-9, 0-6-0, and a short coal cars. My longest steam loco is as long as a big thumb...N-scale.

[NEW222]

Wow. Kudos to all of you here that undertake this side of the hobby seriously. Those set-ups look great. I would not even know how or where to start with something like that. Heck, all I know is battery power and plastic tracks. From what I have seen around before, while seeing train set-ups in malls and such is that setting up teh tracks and trains is teh easy quick part. All of the detailing and scenery, people, etc is the long part. Heres good luck to all of you for your hard work, and will definately be watching.

[getback]

Looking Good Ron , Going to be alot going on when you get done . Am sure with you being gone at work for periods at a time makes it hard to make time for projects , little at a time . Bob i see you been busy your layout is Nice the way the curves and rev. track is you should be able to run a few trains at once ,, And that switcher station WOW Looking good We need us a TRAIN mojo ./!

[Cribbs74]

Thanks everyone, that looks really good Bob, wish I had the room you do. I am forced to do this in my shop.

Anyway more work completed tonight. It’s starting to take shape, picked up a new jigsaw as mine grenaded half way through making the cuts. This layout will be DCC with analog switches.

@David S, it’s a T150 you were correct on the year and it’s for sale....

[rsv1cox]

I'm going to love that three dimensional look Ron, adds depth and character and the possibilities for landscaping are endless. Your doing it right, and the layout is in good company, MGAs, V-Dubs, Motorcycles what's not to love.

Bob

[David S]

Hi Ron the Triumph T150 is a triple cylinder 750cc? Is the bike complete as I see no gauges and other parts on the handle bars.Your layout will be quite nice when it's finished and being n scale you will be able too run some very long trains on your layout!

[getback]

That's going to bee some set up when done Ron Didn't know you was a train guy Too .. Dave the Triumph T150 has a price tag and some interesting history https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1973-triumph-t150v_trident //// https://www.classic-british-motorcycles.com/triumph-trident.html

[Cribbs74]

Thanks Eric, I do it all...

Tonight's progress, I have everything laid out, need to do the road bed and then I can add power.

[Marleysky]

Nice job there Ron. Your kids are gonna enjoy watching you build it, us included!

[NEW222]

Simply amazing work there. Will definately look great when it's finished. I wouldn't know where to start with a straight track, let alone all the curves and such.

[rsv1cox]

Looking great Ron and your putting me to shame. I have been laying track for three weeks now and I don't have half done what you have accomplished.

Bob

[getback]

What Bob said > Looking GOOD ! < You going to do scenery ? I see water and trees

[Cribbs74]

Thanks everyone, to be honest it may look daunting to build, but it’s actually quite easy to do. The reason it’s coming together so fast is because I am working off of a plan and a set of instructions.

If I was to do this off of my imagination like Bob it would take much longer. Yes, I do plan on detailing, and that will slow things way down. Also track wiring for switches will slow it down. I’ll do a video so you guys can see what DCC is like.

[fredvon4]

first guys --------Ron did sale/give some of his stash to Bob

He offered me a bunch of his HO scale but I am Lionel 0-27 heavy....so I passed

So Ron decides...what the hell, I can't even give all this stuff away....let me put every other project on hold and tork off my wife with all night shed adventures in crafting.......grin

ok I gots a question.....we see some long elevated over water tracks....surely not just the single 1 by wood block...??? Trestles are coming?

I am really jazzed with this technique...like Bob all my previous layouts were flat 2 dimensional

Ron what source for the 3D recipe?

[NEW222]

So I have been watching some videos of trains lately, don't know why, but I really liked this one. The work is simply amazing. The wiring panel alone made my head spin.

[rsv1cox]

I am really jazzed with this technique...like Bob all my previous layouts were flat 2 dimensional

Ron what source for the 3D recipe?

I think that Ron is working off the N scale version of this Atlas book, a reference that I have had since the early 60's.  

I thought of using the "Dog Bone" plan or the "Super Pretzel" which closely followed my L shaped table, but I wanted a figure 8 so I just winged it.






Whenever I use this book I get a kick out of this page.  Doing a layout requires a lot of math, figuring angles, radius, track lengths when mating two converging tracks, etc. etc.  I'm pretty hard on myself when I don't come up with a solution which must have happened on this occasion in a past life.  One and one equals two you dummy!!!

[getback]

And i can't even figure out how big of plywood i need without setting up the hole thing It's raining again and i pln plan that is on seeing if i can get the Loco to either shock me or go !

[Cribbs74]

first guys --------Ron did sale/give some of his stash to Bob

He offered me a bunch of his HO scale but I am Lionel 0-27 heavy....so I passed

So Ron decides...what the hell, I can't even give all this stuff away....let me put every other project on hold and tork off my wife with all night shed adventures in crafting.......grin

ok I gots a question.....we see some long elevated over water tracks....surely not just the single 1 by wood block...???  Trestles are coming?

I am really jazzed with this technique...like Bob all my previous layouts were flat 2 dimensional

Ron what source for the 3D recipe?

That wood is just a mock up Fred, it will be a viaduct. I am building the Atlas N-18. It’s a plan out of Atlas book#7 it goes into how to make the cuts required for the dimensional layout.

https://www.modeltrainstuff.com/nine-n-scale-railroads-book-7/?ne_ppc_id=1700557098&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpeKRybG05gIVBL7ACh3uAg7aEAQYCiABEgLdm_D_BwE

[fredvon4]

I suspected this is just layout testing 3 of 9..... so via duct and or trestles will suspend track...duh...grin

I assume these smaller scales are using track that is adjustable

Yes Virginia I am ignorant....my Lionel train set has fixed curve radius--- thus I am intrigued by Ron and Bob having 2 or 3 parallel tracks each smaller radius inside each other....

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