A train table that I've been waiting to build for decades

Looks great! I really like the storage shelves under the layout.

Beautiful environment and nice concept!

John

@PRRick posted:

... like the storage shelves ...

this room looked like a cement dungeon a year ago. after fitting the walls with planks & insulation and scraping three layers of glued linoleum off the floor we stained the cement and painted it all up. The storage shelf lumber is reused from a ol' closet that used to occupy this space and the near shelves support the table too.

This looks great! As mentioned the storage shelves look amazing. Did you build them yourself?

@Tall J posted:

...Did you build them yourself?

yes.

I re-used lumber from a closet that I removed from this room. Ripped it into 4.5inch strips and cobbled them together and slapped a piece of 1/4inch plywood on the back. 1/4 inch staples and some adhesive.

Regarding switch machines: I have used twin coil machines for the last 30 years - mostly OK, but back then they could be had for $4 - $8 each and I needed almost 30! Since then I've replaced10 with Caboose Industries ground throws, am in the process of replacing 11 or 12 with DZ1000's from Trainz, and the remainder are scheduled to get Tortoise machines (for under table mounting in inaccessible locations). I found the twin coil machines to have been a pain to get operating smoothly and required a capacitive discharge unit for positive operation. If you're planning on mounting them on the table surface, I'd say go with the DZ1000's.

Congrats on getting started!

I've never heard a bad thing about Tortoise machines, so you probably can't go wrong with those. You could save yourself some wiring by putting Caboose ground throws on the more accessible switches if you'd like.

Looks like a fun plan! The shape of your table would lend itself to a crossover in the middle for reversing options. You could also go vertical if you wanted longer runs and more interesting scenery!

@Mike0289 posted:

Congrats on getting started!

You could save yourself some wiring by putting Caboose ground throws on the more accessible switches if you'd like.

Agreed!  Give this some serious consideration.

If you're looking to operate your trains from a central location, twin coil switch actuation is a classic choice...as are newer devices mentioned...DZ1000, Tortoise, Atlas, etc..  But, if you see yourself with remote in hand walking about as the trains travel, setting out cars on stub sidings or parking them on parallel sidings, looking for more easily reached interaction...even with grandkids help!!...then manual throws (Caboose Industries) are less costly, easier to install, eliminate wiring (back-breaking undertable work as one ages!...and don't we all?), etc., etc..

I bought/installed all my Ross switches with DZ1000's...but, thankfully did not immediately wire them all up to a common panel!!...only to realize as I began to run trains that about 50% of the switches could've been designated manual control from the git-go!  Plus, after crawling around on the cold floor, killing my back, wiring up the necessary mainline routes, I was more convinced to remove the remaining DZ1000's and quickly installed CI manual throws...and have been VERY happy  I did!  Think about it.

BTW, nice craftsmanship!  Nice use of recycled material (shelves)!  Nice assortment of your granddad's trains already on display!  You're well on your way to a whole lot of FUN!!!

Keep us up-to-date on your further progress, please!  Continue to inspire others!

KD

What are the dimensions?  Will you be adding any operating accessories?

UPDATE:  Never mind about the dimensions, I just saw the track layout in the OP.

Nice bench work and display shelves. I like the track plan too. One suggestion would be to add some yard tracks for storing trains. When you switch out your industries, or operating accessories, the cars will need someplace to go. It will add more operational interest to the layout.

Bob

@woodsyT posted:

I'll be buying new switch motors - what is your favorite switch motor these days?

Here's a question I think I can answer.  Consider the Tortoise Switch Machines, they're bulletproof and reliable as sin!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Here's a question I think I can answer.  Consider the Tortoise Switch Machines, they're bulletproof and reliable as sin!

Ditto...  I have 24 tortoises', flawless operation.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

they're reliable as sin!

John!!!....

Buckin' for coal this year, ol' buddy??

@dkdkrd posted:

John!!!....

Buckin' for coal this year, ol' buddy??

I didn't say it was desirable, but sin sure is reliable.

Can you access the back of the layout? It looks like it is against a wall. If that is the case, be careful what you put along there as you will not be able to easily reach it.

@BenLMaggi posted:

Can you access the back of the layout? ...

Until I get some track down - I can. It is currently about 12~14 inches from the wall. Almost the entire table has 36" reach access and I should be ok after I get some track down to push the table in to the wall. I have plastic slider-feet underneath all the legs and shelf supports so that I can slide it in/out if needed. It slides easily now... I wonder after I get it filled in..
Yesterday evening I got the control table/area mounted. It has plenty of space for a couple of ZW's or one ZW and rows of operators or a 7-space control panel, etc.

ignore the 'inner loop/yard' - it is a plan in progress and I'm toying around with redesigning it

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

...Consider the Tortoise Switch Machines, they're bulletproof ...

yeah, the  tortoise's seem like a good setup. I've also been reading about the walthers servo/switch machine - I am curious to know if many folks have tried them out and what any experiences OGR folks have had so far.  There isn't much info about folks experiences with buying/using them when I search.

Why shoot the dice?  The Tortoise machines have a stellar reputation, and they've earned it over many years.  I'm really sorry I didn't go with them for my build, I opted for convenience and used the DZ-2500's, and I'm sorry I did that!

It's really hard for me to believe the Walthers switch machine is better than the Tortoise, and as you say, not a lot of reviews...

Do you have any plans for elevated sections?  I will probably do something close to yours next year.  I'm thinking of doing an elevated section for my trolleys.

Yeah, part of where I'm stuck is finding a way to use my 100" switches with a table this size - and leave some room to grow with bridges/trestles or elevated sections.

An elevated loop might be in the future someday. I had visions of bridges and trestles, but it might be a minute before they have a chance to appear on this table. I have been clicking around in AnyRail a good bit, planning and re-planning. I am having a hard time not cramming every inch of the table with track so - I have measured some of the accessory bases and forced myself to leave some space for things.  I managed to cram a way to reverse from both directions - but this feels a little bit cramped too. AND I have decided that I gotta pick up some tighter radius switches - my available gargraves 100's were kind of difficult to work into this space. I am still going to use several 100's, but I'll be picking up some 36-45-54-72 radius turnouts.

BTW - Blue Ridge Hobbies has a good deal on Tortoise motors and other Circuitron stuff. I took advantage of that and bought my new train table a holiday present.

Nice start! I'm glad to see you making progress from your post a few weeks ago. Like I mentioned in that post, we used 100" switches on my dad's layout. They worked nicely on the main lines for crossovers. They actually didn't take up as much room as you would think. I like what you ended up coming up with for a layout. Looking forward to your progress.

Rob

The table is currently a MESS! But I have built and set the outer loop in preparation for the holiday visits from my family. There are eighteen of us when we all gather, and only a couple of them know that my grandfather's trains will be running again - it should be a fun surprise  It is wired and working (albeit temporarily) I tried four different post-war loco's and all of them are begging for a commutator cleaning or rebuilt e-unit (they have all been in boxes for 30 years) or both. So I grabbed the only modern engine I have, a K-line MP-15, to run a few test laps around the track.

Track cleaning: After working at cleaning the older rusty Gargraves track and switches I have and testing the track performance I decided to buy a new box of Gragraves Several sections performed acceptably (see my "Rusty Gargraves track & switches..." post) but maybe half of the sections had enough delaminated tin-plate or pitting from rust spots that engine running tests showed that the tracks would arc/spark enough to be a headache with dead stops or e-units popping over, so I bit the credit card a bought a fresh box of Gargraves.

Why didn't you go right to the end where the vacuum is plugged in?

@eddie g posted:

Why didn't you go right to the end where the vacuum is plugged in?

Electric panel is in that corner and it needs to be accessable 🙄

The two large open areas could be creatively developed as DOWNTOWN and SUBURBIA, with streets and buildings placed as deem appropriate; perhaps linked by a point-to-point trolley line with a bump-and-go trolley. For visual variety, connsider installing the streets at 45 degrees to the edge of the platform.

You are well along in the process.  Carry on ....

Mike Mottler   LCCA 12394

Congrats on the first run. I like your choice of power too.

Don't forget to put the panel cover back on before your guests arrive.

Bob

Oh yah! Got the trains up and running! Looking good.

Interesting choice of 19” rack panels.

@MartyE posted:

Interesting choice of 19” rack panels.

yeah,

Because I will be adding and building out the table over time - and adjusting things as I go - I thought I'd use toggles. They can control almost anything O-scale-ish - SPST, SPDT, DPDT, latching/momentary, etc to control blocks/cabs, lights, uncouplers, accessories, etcetera. This way as my table grows I can add or expand or re-arrange the controls as it suits me.

EDIT: also, the rack panel operators and DIN terminals appeal to me - I built electric control/PLC panels for a couple of years and the serviceability and flexibility of that setup is influencing how I am planning to wire up this table

Woodsy,

Nice selection of rolling stock: Early Lionel Std O cars!

Chris

LVHR

@lehighline posted:

Woodsy,

Nice selection of rolling stock: Early Lionel Std O cars

I was always liked the ones they made with 'sprung trucks' -they rolled & sounded smooth 👍 If they sold sprung trucks for the older stuff, I'd probably consider swapping them out

OK, track plan revisions. My family has all weighed in and wants to know why there aren't any mountains with tunnels, or bridges, or elevated trestle sections. So I made my kids (kids - two daughters 21 & 23yrs) show me how to make it fit, "draw it up", I said. So - this is kind of what they came up with, and I think I can pull it off. The grades work out to 3.9~4% - but I have enough magnatraction and traction tire locomotives to pull most up that (I think)  I am still fussing and thinking through the ground level smaller loop with larger reverse loop/dogbone. Whaddya think? Suggestions?

yellow track is ground level - red track is incline - blue track is elevated

there is a crossover...

4% will probably pull just fine. Just watch your transitions. It looks like you have gentle slopes so you should be ok. Going from grade to flat suddenly can cause issues.

It's a cool track plan nonetheless. You have a lot of operating potential! You can have two trains looping (one on the inner right loop, one on the elevated line) while you do switching on the left. That makes for more exciting operations in my experience.