I took a short video tonight to show the layout and turntable operation.

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Post from: Model Train Rookie

Turntable Video

Now why not head on down to the local hobby shop and get wire there?  Well for those who don’t know, I live in Jamestown, ND.  The nearest hobby shop is 96 miles away at best.  Also – the one place I ordered wire from had a couple of the control boxes in stock.  (Though as I also mentioned, using toggle switches is a viable alternative to the original control boxes.)

As you can see in the picture, some of the wire is actual Märklin brand wire.  Was this needed? Not at all.  I just was able to get my hands on it for the same price as I saw non-Märklin branded wire of that size.  The green wire came with the other set, but it was extra and I figure it will work in a pinch or if I want to specially denote something.  Otherwise I plan on keeping with the Märklin color coding.

I was waiting for a friend over lunch break, so had a little time to start working on some of the wiring.  My initial test of the power distrobution strips was sucessful.  (Unhooked and powered just 1 section of track, then powered the light on a bumper section.)  I still need to add a piece of wood where I am going to have my switch controls, but that shouldn’t take long.  Now that I think I understand how everything is supposed to be wired – it is mostly a matter of doing it and testing as I go.

I will take more pictures of my progress – I am leaving all of the wiring quite loose as I might shift the layout some and for when I add homasote or cork under the track.

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Post from: Model Train Rookie

Wiring now possible!

Then of course the first thing I did when getting back to Jamestown was un-boxing what I had been able to fit into my car.  (Left at my parents house are a couple of boxes of models and modeling supplies – along with the wood from the original benchwork.)

One discovery we had is that all of the electrical components are missing.  (Wires and control boxes.)  Now they will turn up someday I am sure, but in the meantime I had to do some ordering and creative thinking.  After discussing the problem with the folks on the Märklin B&G Yahoo group – I learned that I can replace the old control boxes (which aren’t sold anywhere except ebay anymore)  with simple easy to obtain toggle switches.  So a quick trip to radio shack I was able to pick up a couple of different types and test them out.  I also ordered a bunch of wire off of ebay – so I should be good to go soon.  (Also at Radio Shack picked up power distribution strips so that when the wire does get here, I will be able to wire everything to the transformer.)

Last thing I accomplished this week – is my initial single level layout.  Not quite perfect yet, though Dad is planning on coming up sometime to help revise, but it is a start.

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Post from: Model Train Rookie

Märklin Setup in progress

table layout and size

Originally uploaded by Olorinpc

Here is the measurements and layout of the table.

Don’t have a track layout yet, but getting there. Talked about it with my dad and he might have a few ideas there as well. (Might even be able to find the design/specs of the table he had when I was a kid.)

So – getting started… and that has been fun.  (Reminder this is going to be a HO scale build.)

Post from: Model Train Rookie

table layout and size

Table flush with shelf 2

Originally uploaded by Olorinpc

Well I ended up having a little more initiative and time today than I thought I would.

Shane was over and helped me finish putting this together. 2×4s for the frame with the quarter inch plywood attached on the top. Screws were spaced around 6 inches apart to prevent any vibrations.

The table was also securely attached to the shelf that is the same level as it. This provided greater stability and will also add a little extra space for track/layouts.

I will keep documenting this as I progress. It was fun today and look forward to coming up with a track layout. (Already been soliciting my dad for ideas )

Post from: Model Train Rookie

Table Finished

The plan is to use the 4×8ft plywood sheet as the surface of the table.  Underneath it I am building a square frame out of the 2×4s.  Then the 1×4s will be crossbars for extra stability and support.  (Screwing the plywood down into the crossbars will also reduce vibrations as well from the trains and any track movement.

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Post from: Model Train Rookie

Getting started

One of the guys on the group sent this link, on “Building Model Railroad Benchwork.“  It is an excellent primer (or recap) for a rookie like me.  I am covering various things in that article that I vaguely remember by Dad doing growing up, but never really concerned myself with the why.

Past the actual wood base, I have been trying to figure out what else I should know before construction starts.  We actually had a very interesting discussion this morning via the group on what goes inbetween the track and the plywood.  I hadn’t considered this, but realized the importance of considering this pretty quickly.  The noise reduction could be important, but the vibration dampening even more so.  (I am assuming that over the long term, vibrations could impact track joints, wiring, scenery, etc.)

Two suggestions came in, with a few variations on them as well.  The first being corkboard and the second being homasote.  (Some types of foam were suggested as well, but the corkboard and homasote rung a bell with me.)  Since I will be building with Märklin track, and it already has a bed, heigth could become an issue with something too think.  It was also suggested that cork (or foam/homasote) under the mainline and branch lines, but not under yard/siding works just as well.  When I start developing the layout I am going to have to look into that.  That sounds like it would be a nice cost saving measure with little to no impact in noice/vibration levels.  Height being the one issue I haven’t figured out yet.

The discussion is actually still going, but already I have learned some things, and discovered areas that I should keep in mind as I learn more and work on developing my own railroad.

Technorati Tags: Märklin, Model Railroading, Hobby Trains, Benchwork

Post from: Model Train Rookie

Model Railroad Benchwork