Sodor Layout

[Simon Greasly]

Hello there Simon Greasly here. Listen i'm planning on building a Thomas Layout in my Garage but i have very limited space. Can anyone tell me how i could build something that would incorporate key locations like, Tidmouth Sheds, Knapford Station, the quarry, and the yard. Help me out any links would be highly appreciated.

[Henryblue]

Well I f you havent got much space adn ar enew to modelling, Go N scale, Tomix sell n Scale Thomas, Percy, James and Henry

[Chazoroni]

The N scale ranger is great overall, and the models are impressive, but it is really rare to actually see them make something new. lol

[Simon Greasly]

okay can you give me a link to the model?

[Chazoroni]

Here's a great deal on all four of the engines!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thomas-the-Tank-Engine-Thomas-James-Henry-Percy-Tomix_W0QQitemZ120117259076QQihZ002QQcategoryZ486QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Here is some more rolling stock!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thomas-Yellow-Tank-SC-Ruffey-4-cars-Tomix-93803_W0QQitemZ120119108477QQihZ002QQcategoryZ486QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They do have some Thomas buildings as well, but I could not find them. 

Enjoy!

[michael4449]

In the Yahoo! Group I founded, Great_1, we have information on what the Rev. Awdry did. 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Great_1/

One layout he did, Ffarquhar, has the end of Thomas' branch and  a "sneak-off" track to the quarry in 4' x 6.'  It was made in two 2' wide sections to make it easier to transport, because he often operated it at train shows. 

To fit your ideas in few square feet, could you negotiate space to make a layout that was skinny and long, fitting against the walls of a room?  With a small table-style layout, so much of your track will be curved that fitting the sfuff in that you want may not be possible.

Mike, age 49

[Simon Greasly]

Here's a great deal on all four of the engines!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thomas-the-Tank-Engine-Thomas-James-Henry-Percy-Tomix_W0QQitemZ120117259076QQihZ002QQcategoryZ486QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Here is some more rolling stock!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Thomas-Yellow-Tank-SC-Ruffey-4-cars-Tomix-93803_W0QQitemZ120119108477QQihZ002QQcategoryZ486QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They do have some Thomas buildings as well, but I could not find them. 

Enjoy!

Quick questions can these things run on atlus or Ez trak and they also look like they have bachmann couplers?

[Henryblue]

all N Scale/Gauge have the same Couplers and Can run on any Track of that scale, as long as all the track type match. hope this helps!


It would probably be best to start off with the Thomas with Annie and Clarabel set Because you get track with it.

[Chazoroni]

There is an N scale Thomas set, and I think there is a Percy set too, so you don't need to worry about which set to get because each engine is avaible in accessory sets.

[Simon Greasly]

Okay change of plans i now have more space to work with i'm glad that all of you are here to help out is there a way i can fit my locations if i build out from the center of my garage?

[Simon Greasly]

Okay i think the only real thing i'll have problems with is wiring any advice?

[michael4449]

About wiring, Simon, books have been written on the subject (hint,hint).  I have not searched for websites or Groups, though.  But anybody can learn a lot from the Layout Design Special Interest Group (requires a free Yahoo! ID for full features.)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ldsig/

Assuming you have the basics down, here are a few hints:

• Connect power to the track frequently.  Don't depend much on rail joiners to transmit power.

• Up to 20-30 feet from the power supply, 18 guage wire is sufficient.  That is the size wire ususally found in extension cords.
  
• Neatness counts.  If a short curcuit develops, it is helpful to be able to trace wires..

• If you might want to save portions of the layout for future use, have plenty of slack in the wires near where you will separate the table tops.  If a short curcuit develops before you want to dismantle, you may cut the offending circuit at such maintenance loops as part of troubleshooting.  And there will be enough slack to reconnect the wires when you want to.
  

Mike

[Simon Greasly]

Okay well thx a bunch. by the way while we're still here i have a question about the forums for some reason i can't get my thing to put up an icon what do i do  and secondly you know how railmuseum have their tracks inset concrete how could i mimic that on a model scale? Thx again ppls

[michael4449]

Howdy, Simon and "board-ers!"

...question about the forums for some reason i can't get my thing to put up an icon what do i do 

Simon, If you mean the picture on the left, I use http://www/maj.com as a free service to host my 100 x 100 pixel icon.  Put the URL in the "personalized picture" area of your profile.  I took a picture, and in MS Paint I covered up the background with blue that sort of looks like the sky. -- I so altered the picture that I doubt I could recognize the source.  I did it mainly to make it recognizable as that engine in such a small picture.

...secondly you know how railmuseum have their tracks inset concrete how could i mimic that on a model scale? Thx again ppls

One way is to use 'mat' board, (solid card of the correct thickness) but I doubt it is easy anymore if the track is curved in the pavement area.  If you can get an older model railroad car with "pizza cutter" wheels, plaster is supposed to work.  Plaster "sets" or "cures," so once the plaster startis to get thick, you have only about 10-30 minutes to roll those wheels through to make flangeways.  You mght want to make wider and deeper flangeways with a thin steel putty knife.  And to practice a bit before doing it on your layout.  I have never tried this myself.

Mike