I am putting a layout in my tree house. It will for around the perimiter. What is the minimunm width that i can make the platform and not be worried about the train falling the 3 1/2 ft to the ground? I also plan to use a Kato Engine with a Digitraz Zephyr DCC system is this a good idea?
How Wide?
- Thread starter NewTrain
- Start date
Welcome to the-gauge NT! HO doesn't usually go more than 6" off course. N I guess would do about half that. If you have room, maybe go with a standard 12" shelf, that way you can have sidings and still remain 6" away from the death ledge. In areas, you might want to run the track closer to the drop off, and you could model a fenc eto keep it in. You planning a plain loop or some turnouts, sidings, industries, etc?
DCC? I would save your money and go with a straight DC system if it's just one loco.
Thanks that was what width i was planning. Does anyoine make a netting system to catch locomotives. And i was planning on running two engines and a 5' by 6' switching yard.
For netting, you could look around at garage sales for an old volley ball net, or badminton net. 12" wide strips strategicly placed would offer the protection you need.
The Zephyr system is probably the most user friendly of the Digitrax products, and all you'd need for the layout you're planning. Kato is a good choice, and you should be able to find a plug-and-play decoder for it.
Pete
The Zephyr system is probably the most user friendly of the Digitrax products, and all you'd need for the layout you're planning. Kato is a good choice, and you should be able to find a plug-and-play decoder for it.
Pete
Thank you for all you rhelp this is the worlds coolest forum! And would mosquito netting work or is it too flimsy?
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Fred_M
How about plexiglass shield about 1 inch high for a "guard rail". Skeeter netting should work too. My front track is 5 inches from the edge and in 5 years I have only lost 1 caboose off the edge of the world. Welcome to the gauge. FRED
If you work the scenery right, you could put strips of scenery at the side so that they're higher than the track, with a bit of slope up to them, but a small flat area just beside the tracks. Vary it, and have some plain plexiglass as well.
Let us know what area you're in, and we might be able to direct you to some local events.
Let us know what area you're in, and we might be able to direct you to some local events.
Good point its an Octagon with 5.5ft sides and a 3 ft diamater tree in the middle.
heres a drawing of my planned layout(not to scale)may not be very clear depends on scanner
:thumb:
heres a drawing of my planned layout(not to scale)may not be very clear depends on scanner
:thumb:
Welcome to The Gauge, NewTrain!
What a sublimely cool idea, having a layout in your treehouse! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
What a sublimely cool idea, having a layout in your treehouse! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Fred_M
I cant compress it enough to work i will jsut put t on a disc then post it on my school site then link it
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Fred_M
Up in vB code there's a buttom marked IMG. Punch it and fill out the URL. I'd do it for you but you deleted the address...FRED
the circle in the middle is the tree and sorry for the huige pic my compressedone is acting weird
if that doesn't work click here http://students.chs.lane.edu/~akayl78/mysite/Web Hosted Images/File0001.tif