Here is a short vid I took of my current Märklin demo. A rather short vid, but I had managed to get some more of the wiring done and things working for a test. So rather excited and thought I would share this.
[tags]Märklin, Model Trains, Model Railroad, Youtube[/tags
As I mentioned in my last post, all of the electrical components went missing sometime during the years the train stuff was in storage. Now of course I am sure they will show up sometime – that bag wouldn’t have been tossed, but in the meantime I found a pretty good deal on ebay for the wire I needed.
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.
Märklin, Model trains, benchwork, electrical
Well I have a couple of comics for everyone today. These I think display well my current temperment as I get back into the hobby. (Experiancing quite a bit of excitement as I do!)
Walt – Toy Train Overdose
First Eight Strips
Hope those brought a smile to your face! Now I have to get back to work and stop reading the Märklin forums/groups.
Technorati Tags: Märklin, Marklin, Model Trains, Comics, Model Railroader
Well I haven’t made any progress since building the table. Picking up the train stuff over Christmas break.
One of the best finds I have made is another yahoo group. MarklinBandG. Anyone interesting in Marklin trains – I highly recommend this group. I asked one question – trying to catch up on the change from analog track to the new digital sytem and had multiple answers within a few hours.
As I posted to the group, partly going Marklin because that is what we have, but also biased towards Marklin HO as that is what I remember as a kid. I still remember picking out a train in a Marklin store in Germany.
Anywho – best bet at this point is going to be taking an inventory and comparing model numbers with the group to determin what works with what. (Since I have been out of the loop for 15 years and am playing catchup.)
Technorati Tags: Marklin, Model Trains, yahoo groups
Well I picked up some wood from the hardware store today. I have decided on a 4×8ft table.
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.
Technorati Tags: Model trains, woodworking, design, benchwork
Welcome to Model Train Rookie!
I have started this blog as I am going to be getting back into Model Railroading in the next few months. I used to build model trains with my dad when I was a kid. (Marklin HO scale if I recall correctly.)
Well I hope to start building again, so I started this blog to write about how that project goes. Expect to see a number of changes as I finish building this site and get started on this hobby.
Thanks for visiting and come back soon!
Technorati Tags: model trains, blogging, marklin trains