Building a Layout
Hello people! I am here with more model railroading! This directs you on how to build a layout. Now, I don't have enough space to do a very large layout, but it will take a while for me to get enough space to make it, but for now, I have limited space. When it comes to building, I am very great at it, especially "limited space" layouts. This layout I made has lotta things: a yard, a siding, storage/fueling rack, & extra car storage. All this took me hours to do (starting from July 25, 2021 to July 26, 2021). Not being 2 full days, I took about an hour or so on the 25th then about 2 hours on the 26th.
Alright enough talking! Its now time for you guys to build a layout!
Oh, HOLD ON! Not so fast! This can be for people with the E-Z Trax brand (see pic 2), too! If you don't have E-Z tracks, and you have the other kind (see pic 3), something in here will be a bit tricky to do. Just a heads up.
Alright enough talking! Its now time for you guys to build a layout!
Oh, HOLD ON! Not so fast! This can be for people with the E-Z Trax brand (see pic 2), too! If you don't have E-Z tracks, and you have the other kind (see pic 3), something in here will be a bit tricky to do. Just a heads up.
Planning Options
Planning is good. It helps you have the intel of what you want and where you want something. Here are some planning ways. Choose 1 of the following 4 (if you would like to use these as a guide):
#1: A good way to plan is to lay out your tracks. Do not put them together! Make the layout unconnected so you can see how this goes and if there will be problems. If there is and it is a "not-enough-track" problem, rethink the layout and make it different.
#2: Another way is to gather some ideas of what you can have in your layout and collect those ideas in your head, then figure out what the finished product will look like. Kinda like a mind puzzle! Gather the pieces then put them together! Have problems? Change things up! Reload your intel of how you want to fix the layout. Take some tracks apart, or whatever it takes to fix your problems.
#3: Another possible way is to just simply draw it out. If you can, try to have the paper in landscape form (sideways) and do from there. The top of the page should be the longest wall of your area. Build your track by starting from the top of the drawing (top of the landscape paper) and work your way around.
#4: The final option is to just......................
Build it. Just build however you like! If your not much of a planner and you just build whatever without any thought, that's fine! Do whatcha gotta do! As long as you don't have problems, you're good to go!
#1: A good way to plan is to lay out your tracks. Do not put them together! Make the layout unconnected so you can see how this goes and if there will be problems. If there is and it is a "not-enough-track" problem, rethink the layout and make it different.
#2: Another way is to gather some ideas of what you can have in your layout and collect those ideas in your head, then figure out what the finished product will look like. Kinda like a mind puzzle! Gather the pieces then put them together! Have problems? Change things up! Reload your intel of how you want to fix the layout. Take some tracks apart, or whatever it takes to fix your problems.
#3: Another possible way is to just simply draw it out. If you can, try to have the paper in landscape form (sideways) and do from there. The top of the page should be the longest wall of your area. Build your track by starting from the top of the drawing (top of the landscape paper) and work your way around.
#4: The final option is to just......................
Build it. Just build however you like! If your not much of a planner and you just build whatever without any thought, that's fine! Do whatcha gotta do! As long as you don't have problems, you're good to go!
Build Away!!
If you have chosen #1, #2, or #3, you can now start putting your layout together! Oh and also, not so fast! Make sure your track has a power supply (see step 3) to bring your track to life!
Hook a Power Transformer to the Track
Your transformer to power the track should have a power plug in for the power track. The plug in should be in the side or top of the transformer all hooked up. The transformer is your speed control box for the locomotive(s) that are displayed on the track. Once you have that hooked up you are good to go! All you need is your locomotive(s) and some cars and you are ready to model railroad!
Extras 1: Controling Tracks
Wye controling tracks:
There are some tracks you can control with a switch. For example, I have a wye (I used to call them switch tracks, but on the railroads they call them wyes) that is hooked up to a cord and switch that is then hooked up to the transformer. The cords are a bit long, so I put them under the track next to the track so it isn't on the nearby track (see pic 1 for controling track). I have many of the wyes that are not E-Z brand. If in case you do have those wyes, they will need to be wired up to a system to work.
Uncoupling track:
This track I have but doesn't work. What I think it does is when it is hooked up to the transformer, when you want to uncouple a car from another car or locomotive, or a locomotive from another locomotive, there is a button that when you push it, there is some slim "rod" with a thin space in the middle of it that moves the coupler to uncouple the cars (see pic 2).
There are some tracks you can control with a switch. For example, I have a wye (I used to call them switch tracks, but on the railroads they call them wyes) that is hooked up to a cord and switch that is then hooked up to the transformer. The cords are a bit long, so I put them under the track next to the track so it isn't on the nearby track (see pic 1 for controling track). I have many of the wyes that are not E-Z brand. If in case you do have those wyes, they will need to be wired up to a system to work.
Uncoupling track:
This track I have but doesn't work. What I think it does is when it is hooked up to the transformer, when you want to uncouple a car from another car or locomotive, or a locomotive from another locomotive, there is a button that when you push it, there is some slim "rod" with a thin space in the middle of it that moves the coupler to uncouple the cars (see pic 2).
Extras 2: Bridges & Grades
Bridges can be a good intrest to the layout. Picture 1 shows what you need for your railroad bridge. If you have limited space, you will need to make an increasing grade (slope). If you look at picture 2, that is what you should use to make the grade, leading up to the overhead bridge. Your grade MUST be in the range of 1% to 5% (slowly increasing [1%] to a bit more increasing every bridge holder [5%]). Put the stands under the track for increase.
Extras 3: Railyard
Your railyard can consist of a total of 4+ tracks. You can also have a railyard of cars and locomotives. Obviously the railyard should have wyes (see step 4 for description) to switch. Mine is connected to the mainline.
Extras 4: Storage/fueling Rack(s)
In the picture, you'll notice to lines of track. The one on the left is the extra cars storage. The right line is for the locomotives to get fueled up for the next assignment. Don't mind the mainline on the very left.
Extras 5: Sidings
In this pic, you'll notice the wye towards the curve of the track. The track closest to the camera is the siding. Sidings are used for trains to stop in and let others pass or if they are stopping for a crew change or something of that matter. Your siding on your layout should be long enough for your entire train to fit on. Make it extra long if you have to.
Thas All Folks!
Thanks all for coming to this 'ible and enjoying it! Any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments! Don't forget to like and follow me pls as well! Until "knex" time, I'm Knexified. Thx for viewing!