[Novalance]

Definitely interested in some photo's Bedders as I won't be going to that exhibition, its roughly a 2 hour + Drive for me and I'm saving up to go to one closer to home 2 weeks after it, gutting though!
Anyway just posting an update, work on the 6 foot by 4 foot has been slow over the last 2 months but I started working on something a bit more complicated than a double loop.

I always wanted a staging area, or fiddle yard. something that would require logistical work and there simply was not enough room on the loop layout to fit one in, or even to eventually add onto it (The spare room is also limited in space). so I have seen many many videos on "Shelf" layouts and shunting puzzles. I have been working on some plans for something which some of you would of heard of, its called an Inglenook puzzle. I decided to make something that can simulate normal operations and also integrate the shunting puzzle into the layout, it will be on a board approximately 1700MM by 530MM. Also want to do powered switches for the Points so no manual work required, and to have decouplers built into the tracks (maybe magnets) so a lot of work but something to keep me busy for a long time!
It will be DCC (Digital trains with sound!) and fully scenic
Anyway enough rambling heres the current Trackplan in 2D and 3D.



Red tracks will probably be where the engine sheds will be Green is the normal line for the station (which will be a terminal station) Blue is where the shunting puzzle will be

[Bridger]

Cool

[Jestersmith]

Wow took shape loads since the last pic i seen you share in game some cracking looking work i have to say.

[Bedders]

Looking good Nova! Inglenook puzzles are great to operate during exhibitions, as nobody hangs around long enough to watch you perform the same 5 'move' over and over again whilst you try to solve it!

I've seen all sorts of systems from shelves to 10+ tracks in a fiddle yard. A couple of the layouts I frequently help with are turntable or sliding table based - line the tracks up, then a bolt (door latch) slides in place to make the electrical connection & to ensure the track is aligned. Really simple but works reliably (especially after moving the layout to the exhibition!)

For uncoupling from an operator's point of view; The layout Seagone is one of our club's layouts and it has what's known as a "pantomime trapdoor" system. Magnets on a hinged trapdoor hang below the track can be pulled on string to raise them directly below the track, allowing uncoupling to be 'at will' without needing to rely on electronics. I'll try and grab some pictures (I don't even know if that layout is at this exhibition this year, I'll know on Friday when I'm marking out where the layouts need to go whether it's got any space allocated).

[Phoenix]

Looking good budy

[Novalance]

So bit of an update, I loved making my 6 foot by 4 foot railway but I found it quite boring to sit and watch the trains go around, I really wanted something to interact with so I looked at the inglenook puzzle as I posted earlier in the thread.
I finally made enough progress to do an update so here's some shots of what I've worked on so far





All this is subject to change as I fiddle with the configuration of the track plan but here is a current top down view. my work space is very messy!

[Bridger]

That is so epic, awesome work.

[Silek]

That is so epic, awesome work.

It really is. That looks great. Although it looks like an expensive hobby. i don't wanna say more expensive than STO...but, it looks like you could spend whatever you wanted on it. Nice work man. It makes me interested in Model Railroading.

[Novalance]

It can be very expensive and then occasionally dirt cheap! the engine shed I'm working on there with the red brick will be for housing steam trains when I get some. cheapest I've seen with sound brand new is about £116. the engine shed cost me about £23. Next month i'll be looking at getting this:
Clicky!
For my Diesels to have a real home

[Bridger]

I think that can be true for every hobby you want to pursue with dedication.

[Novalance]

little update, I managed to wire up some LED's to test the lighting, forget about the current cable management, eventually they will all be under the baseboard. I think this was a success!

[Novalance]

So, being stuck at home for the last few weeks has paid off at least in the model railway department.
Heres the final track plan and all my Retaining walls assembled, now I gotta work on the wooden framework to support it all and get the point motors and Ballast down that won't happen until the lockdown is over.. *sigh* but here it is!

Backwall:

Engine shed (with concrete standing painted but not finished)

Staging area/Fiddle yard Entrance

[Reggie]

so pretty. I got into watching people build model railways on youtube. It's just a shame it takes forever to do anything with them so most of the channels don't update often! I did watch the entire backlog of videos on the Everard Junction channel, I recommend a watch if you haven't for ideas!

[Novalance]

I watch, religiously for the last year and a half, Everard Junction, New Junction, Daveclass47 (Dean park), Budget model railways and Gowerton Parkway (he lives near me, never met him but he does model welsh stuff) for all the inspiration and techniques I can absorb into my brain

[Reggie]

Dean Park is great! I just wish I understood his accent. New junction is probably the most active too I am surprised to find someone else who was into this in UFP of all places xD