Davidson Parkway Model Railway: Layout Update; New Yard 3, Control Panel, Testing & New Arrival

[@Chris-BognorRegis]

Hi Mark - My goodness what an absolutely cracking layout. Really enjoying your channel, so pristine, how I like it. Just love that large sweeping bend, looks absolutely gorgeous to see the trains running round that. The throat to the terminus wonderful, love the houses that surround it, so realistic. Great way to clean train wheels, see if I can incorporate that into my layout, very clever yet so simple, I like simple. Your trains run so smoothly, cannot find anything to fault it. Regards Chris

[@ModelRailway]

Hi Chris, many thanks for the lovely comment and compliments ... I’m pleased so far with the progress and I do crave smooth and reliable running ... I do have a few derailments etc every so often (I’ve edited them out! Haha!) ... but overall quite pleased with the reliability but still a few tweaks to do here and there to further improve; always something to do! Regards, Mark

[@moorlandmodelrailwayandy]

Great update thanks for sharing you inspired me to upgrade my storage yard to an under board storage area, not as sophisticated as yours but its helped me so thanks. I'll look forward to seeing the rest develop atb Andy

[@ModelRailway]

Hi Andy, that’s great to hear and good luck with your project ... can never have enough sidings and storage, especially with some lovely new rolling stock and loco’s being released! Regards, Mark

[@cravensdmufan4449]

Hi Mark, another great update. You're making fantastic progress. The control panel is great - I love the illuminated route selection. The piece of timber at the end of the loco sidings is a good idea. Maybe a piece of foam glued on the inside as well, to prevent locos receiving front end damage? I have used the IPA on kitchen paper method for wheel cleaning myself and always steadied the loco by hand but your idea of running it against the buffer stops is much easier. Thanks for the tip. All the best. Vivian.

[@ModelRailway]

Hi Vivian, many thanks ... and very good tip about the buffers! However, I had a cunning plan .... during the next phase of the project to turn Yard 2 from terminal sidings into through sidings, this releases the Yard 2 buffers ... so I’ve used them for the new loco sidings! Good tip though ... and yes, am very pleased with the new control panel; it’s worked well so far. Ps I’m trying hard to resist the new Heljan 86/0’s as they’re a bit too early for me ... but have several of the 86/4’s and 86/6’s ordered! Enjoy your 86/0 once it arrives! Regards, Mark

[@darrelldeltic807]

Wow! That’s some major job you’ve taken on there and the results are very rewarding for you, great use of Lego for the cable management btw, cheers Darrell

[@ModelRailway]

Hi Darrell ... yes, the current project has been quite time consuming but mostly enjoyable (not too much swearing!) and rewarding to gain the extra storage sidings and better reliability and flexibility. Thanks also for the comment about the use of the Lego bricks ... regards, Mark

[@NicholassTrainChannel]

Nice update the new fiddle yard looks good hope it will provide you with some extra storage space. the Heljan class 25 is a nice loco.

[@ModelRailway]

Many thanks for the lovely comment ... I’m pleased with the extra storage sidings so far; I have one new rake on pre-order this year and have a couple of others I would like at some stage in the future ... and yes, the new Heljan Class 25 is a lovely model 👍

[@chrisderby986]

Great video! Some lovely track laying there

[@ModelRailway]

Many thanks! Yes ... there was quite a bit of track to lay but am very pleased with the results ... quite smooth and reliable so far. As the track was laid during winter, I’ve allowed a little bit of space between joints in the tracks to allow for expansion during warmer summer weather (hopefully on the way!) ... regards, Mark

[@AberHaltJunction]

Wow, superb progress. I wish my wiring was that neat. Hell of a project, nice one. Will certainly sub to see how this progresses. Well done. Cheers.

[@ModelRailway]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed the layout update and thanks for subbing ... and hope you enjoy the latest video as well! Regards, Mark

[@stocktonjunction]

Great idea for wheel cleaning i will plan to add a wheel cleaning area like that for my new layout. ive been thinking on a good way to clean train wheels thats cost effective and this is perfect

[@ModelRailway]

Thanks for the feedback and hope you’re able to construct a short section of track for wheel cleaning ... happy to help! I’ve gained many tips from magazines, articles and other KZbin channels over time ... so it’s lovely to hear others can take inspiration from my own layout. Regards, Mark

[@clivecobbold6815]

Hi Dave glad to see you back mate anther great video mate I really injoy it every interesting I am wanting for the new heljan class86/0 election locos to come out i all order two of class86/6 and one class86/4 electric locos for my freightliner trains stay safe and well mate goodbye for how clive

[@ModelRailway]

Hi Clive, many thanks for the lovely comment ... and enjoy your new 86’s when they arrive! They do look lovely models! The 86/0’s are a little before my era ... but I have several of the 86/4’s and 86/6’s ordered and currently saving for them! The additional storage sidings will also increase capacity for the new releases. Hope your layout is progressing well and enjoy the new arrivals 👍

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

I like how you are developing the Yards under the main layout. Great control panel too, bit beyond me with all that selection changing the route. I'm interested in the ramp down - could I do that on my planned layout?

[@ModelRailway]

Many thanks for the comment. Regarding the ramp ... it will depend upon how much room or space you have, how much distance you require between levels, also the type of stock you operate. The combination of these will determine the maximum gradient your ramp will need to be designed for. Eg If you operate short trains that have good traction, then your maximum gradient maybe able to be steeper. One bit of advice: perhaps create a test track ... using a few lengths of track upon a length of timber, then adjust the slope and test a few trains along it. I did that before creating my ramp. One more tip ... if you have curves along the ramp, these create additional resistance/friction, so make allowance for that ... also try to avoid sharp changes in vertical gradients; try to make them smooth as possible.

[@ModelRailway]

Ps Thanks also for the feedback about the control panel ... I may produce another video to show the construction in a bit more detail. The route setting is actually quite simple ... one push button operates multiple points (by using the diode matrix) ... then the LED’s show the position of each point. 👍

[@PiddleInTheMarshbyMarkIreland]

You have been busy !

[@ModelRailway]

Thanks for the comment Mark ... and yes! I sure have .... has been quite an enjoyable project to do during the winter and the recent lockdown to keep me amused and out of mischief! Good mindfulness as well as well as solving a few challenges and creating additional storage sidings. Regards, Mark

[@PiddleInTheMarshbyMarkIreland]

@@ModelRailway Additional storage is my next challenge and trying to find a new control system. My Dynamis Ultima which I love has a roster of only 30 and I have passed that Mark so I have to keep deleting and adding which is a pain. Currently adding sound to more locos. Warship and then a 101 I think

[@nick3898]

Beside some of the tracks you have like a flat concrete resin looking flat area. How did you get it to look like that? Thanks nick

[@ModelRailway]

Hi Nick, do you mean the cable route trunking along the side of the track or other? Is there a specific time (min,sec) in the video you could reference and I’ll have a look? I’ll try and help … 👍

[@clivecobbold6815]

Hi dave I got my 4 heljan class86/0 electric locomotives last week mate they are great running locomotive the class86/4/6 should be great locomotives I have 1 class86/4 and 2 class86/6 on order i think you will like them wend they come out mate goodbye for now clive in N.lreland