#SCARM TO ROCRAIL SOFTWARE#

Second, learn about Digital Command Control (DCC). So you could enjoy HO scale models of narrow-gauge real-life trains that actually run on N gauge tracks, and you could on the other end run O scale (1:48) models of narrow gauge equipment on HO scale track. HO gauge refers to the distance between the tracks. HO scale (1:87) refers to the proportion of the model to the real-life train. Even though this is super simple and dead flat the failures are mind boggling at times.įamiliarize yourself with 'scale' vs 'gauge'. The track all comes up, and the boards get put away in the basement. I do a small Christmas layout most years using O27 Lionel.

Make sure there is wiring paths, plan these to be accessible from underneath so use conduit, loom, or other means to organize the many, many wires that inevitably happen.

Have poster printouts made to become templates that can transfer information quickly and easily Use tunnels, building and other features to make 'trap doors' so there are reaching holes that allow access to the center of the board. Plan for grade plan for access with hands. The split will be near invisible if a 'naturally straight' feature is part of the edge, such as a car road, track bed, or building. Make sure the fabric has a seam that can peel near the mating edges Use fabric over the base material then decorate the fabric. Use flocking - redoing a small area of flocking is pretty easy. Use stiff plastic to make sure the 'fault lines' are going to divide nicely.

Some thoughts as to layout around the breaks - a lot can be done to make the breaks come apart cleanly without having to redo the entire section of landscaping Some bracing on the underside of mating panels that can be bolted together rigidly with probably 4 or 5 more bolts than necessary. Simply making it come apart in small enough pieces for two people to take through a door is all that is needed. So: What advice would you give to a late-start railroader? For reference: this set-up may end up living in an unfinished suburban basement.

#SCARM TO ROCRAIL SOFTWARE#

I'd *like* to integrate some interesting sensors and control systems, and I see some interesting open source software for this. This includes negative lessons, too, if you've overloaded circuits or floorboards. Interested in learning from experienced model railroad enthusiasts what lessons you've learned over the years that would be useful for a newbie, especially if you've made some cool automation for your system, or have built extensive support structures. 2) Related, I am somewhat less interested in the rolling stock than I am in the construction and control of the track and surrounding landscape. A couple of parameters: 1) I'm only interested for now in HO-scale stuff, so I am not all that interested in the relative merits of the other kinds, cool as they might be. That's changed enough that I'd like to start planning a train system, and am looking for advice from people who have been at it for a while. I'm intrigued by the idea, because I've been interested in model railroads for years, but too commitment shy and too transient to actually start a collection. An anonymous reader writes: A relative of mine has been hinting that he'd like me to take over his model railroad collection in the event of his death (or even before that, to make this a bit less morbid-sounding).

Scarm to rocrail