PlaymoFriends
General => Trains! => Topic started by: Rasputin on September 03, 2012, 06:04:45
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So I built this suspension bridge and I need to get the train on top of it. I will have hills with grades on each end but I think the grade will be a problem. If I use the max of 4% I need to get to 27inches height. I think the hills will have to be like 50 feet long to get the right grade
(http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc457/Koretsky/76928800.jpg)
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have you ever noticed how a road reaches the top of a mountain? not in a direct line but in a bunch of them changing direction in 180 degress in horizontal around an imaginary vertical line. like a snake climbing a pale...
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Unfortunately, using a zig-zag grade and this causes extra friction as the sides of the wheels press harder against the rails in the direction of the outside of the curve and this reduces the amount the loco can haul.
The simple answer is to make the bridge lower.
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You can also have the train somewhat elevated throughout the diorama, built up on styrofoam "hills" and never dipping to floor level. You'd have to have any stops built up to the same level, but most of your dio could be in a valley so that it could go straight on the floor. Or, I know you don't want to, but the dio could go on tables and the bridge can span a space between the tables, with the river being on the floor. In fact if the space is big enough to walk in, that can help you in setting up, to be able to reach the middle of the diorama.
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You can also have the train somewhat elevated throughout the diorama, built up on styrofoam "hills" and never dipping to floor level.
That's what I was going to suggest! I think that would be your best option to keep the grade down - just make the layout at the bridge level with a valley or river under it like bonniebeth said. :)
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The simple answer is to make the bridge lower.
but then the ships can not fit under it :'( :'( :'(
You can also have the train somewhat elevated throughout the diorama, built up on styrofoam "hills" and never dipping to floor level. You'd have to have any stops built up to the same level, but most of your dio could be in a valley so that it could go straight on the floor.
I was thinking of this but that is a lot of work and I do not have a lot of time ???
Or, I know you don't want to, but the dio could go on tables and the bridge can span a space between the tables, with the river being on the floor. In fact if the space is big enough to walk in, that can help you in setting up, to be able to reach the middle of the diorama.
I do not have enough tables. I only have about a dozen big tables and that is not enough
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Hm. It's a tough one, for sure. Since this is a train show, it has to really be mostly about the train, so that makes it tougher. Otherwise I would say, why not have a few tables at one end, with a space between them, making up a mountain, you could use paper to make a steep cliff side going from the table to the floor. The train could run on the tables, making a loop on the tables on one side of the bridge, cross over it, make another loop, and cross it going the other way. There could be a town and a mining camp up there on the tables. Then the river could continue on along the floor and there could be indian camps, forts, etc, set up on the floor. Does that make sense? I don't know if I explained it well.
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or use two trains....
one on the higher level
the other one on ground level.
If you want to foul the spectators, simply park one train behind the scenes if the other is viewable....
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That's true, one train on the tables and one on the ground would work for that purpose.
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That's true, one train on the tables and one on the ground would work for that purpose.
but then there is a hill all the way around the dio. :eh?:
I think I will jack hammmer a whole in the floor :lol:
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maybe this helps (at least for inspiration....)http://www.google.de/search?q=gleiswendel+f%C3%BCr+lgb&hl=de&rls=com.microsoft:de:IE-SearchBox&biw=1280&bih=613&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3MJEUMyNKsuRswbqrIGwDA&ved=0CEcQsAQ (http://www.google.de/search?q=gleiswendel+f%C3%BCr+lgb&hl=de&rls=com.microsoft:de:IE-SearchBox&biw=1280&bih=613&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3MJEUMyNKsuRswbqrIGwDA&ved=0CEcQsAQ)
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maybe this helps (at least for inspiration....)http://www.google.de/search?q=gleiswendel+f%C3%BCr+lgb&hl=de&rls=com.microsoft:de:IE-SearchBox&biw=1280&bih=613&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3MJEUMyNKsuRswbqrIGwDA&ved=0CEcQsAQ (http://www.google.de/search?q=gleiswendel+f%C3%BCr+lgb&hl=de&rls=com.microsoft:de:IE-SearchBox&biw=1280&bih=613&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=3MJEUMyNKsuRswbqrIGwDA&ved=0CEcQsAQ)
ever seen one in G scale ??? it would work to save length. interesting solution. this would definitely qualify for a "science of imaginary solutions" award
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I suppose a helix is one possibility. There is always the option of having it be display only and not in active use. You could leave the end unfinished and make it look like it's under construction or repair. Gives you an excuse for construction equipment as well.
Do you have the 4053 Work train?
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I know the problems, Ras, from the Knaresborough display in 2011. I went for raising the whole layout (see here:
http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=10598.0)
but there were no ships to get under the bridges, plus not setting up until the day before meant the scenery was very simple as it had to be done quickly.
Two layouts would be one idea, using the bridge as one at the back of the display and with the loco running end to end and reversing automatically. It would have a 40ft run and so would look quite impressive.
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I do want the train to actually run across the bridge. The bridge will move and sway as the train goes across and I was hoping over time the train will loosen all the sections of decking. Slowly over time the bridge will wobble looser and looser and may ................ :P
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but then there is a hill all the way around the dio. :eh?:
What? ??? No, I meant the hill at one end, and the valley stretching out in front of it.
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Wow i can see that bridge now...... wow wow wow, empire status material if you ask me :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow: :wow:
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Maybe the passengers could come out and push? ;D
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I do want the train to actually run across the bridge. The bridge will move and sway as the train goes across and I was hoping over time the train will loosen all the sections of decking. Slowly over time the bridge will wobble looser and looser and may ................ :P
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
:)9
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More seriously now. Ras, do you know for sure 4% is the steepest slope a train can run? Maybe the engine is powerful enough for a steeper slope? Maybe with less trailers to haul? Just my two cents.
A.
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More seriously now. Ras, do you know for sure 4% is the steepest slope a train can run? Maybe the engine is powerful enough for a steeper slope? Maybe with less trailers to haul? Just my two cents.
A.
it has to do with weight for traction and power. A heavy engine gets more traction but requires more power. I need to at least pull 4 cars
I am really interested in the looping rising circle idea for one side. Has anybody seen or made one for G scale?
I could then use a mountain on the other side
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I dont know why aprevious post i did wasnt posted :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
LGB has a special toothed track suitable to draw locos up slope ..
https://www.maerklinshop.de/index.php?sid=14d0e03ddc247c41d7e90d75d9ae01fe&cl=details&cnid=6cd67d9b6f0150c77bda2eda01ae484c&anid=L10210
perhaps these can help and no major work needed apart from making the playmo locos suitable to use these, sure there is an easy way to do it :)
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I dont know why aprevious post i did wasnt posted :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
LGB has a special toothed track suitable to draw locos up slope ..
https://www.maerklinshop.de/index.php?sid=14d0e03ddc247c41d7e90d75d9ae01fe&cl=details&cnid=6cd67d9b6f0150c77bda2eda01ae484c&anid=L10210
perhaps these can help and no major work needed apart from making the playmo locos suitable to use these, sure there is an easy way to do it :)
it was and I remember looking at the track. It does not look like a track though, but a piece that goes on the track. There must be a gear mounted on the engine in the middle that meshes with this.
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it was and I remember looking at the track. It does not look like a track though, but a piece that goes on the track. There must be a gear mounted on the engine in the middle that meshes with this.
i think its worth investigating look at that video its amazing what this rack rails can do !!!! :o :o :o :o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzKHuxQznYQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzKHuxQznYQ)
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I dont know why aprevious post i did wasnt posted :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
LGB has a special toothed track suitable to draw locos up slope ..
Because it was in a different thread. ;) http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=11626.msg217642#msg217642
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Because it was in a different thread. ;) http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/index.php?topic=11626.msg217642#msg217642
:( :( :(
I forgot.......