<![CDATA[SlotRacer Forum - Model Railways]]> https://slotracer.online/community/ Thu, 22 Oct 2026 20:54:54 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[LEGO Railway Setup]]> https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=5392 Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:28:23 +0100 https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=5392 I'd been thinking about knocking up a model railway of some description for quite a while (I *almost* got into it as a kid, but was hampered by not enough space and not enough money/resources.
But fast forward 40 years, and I find myself with not only a reasonably spacious apartment and plenty of cash, but a wonderful sense of utter freedom having escaped from The Beast after 21 years.
And that means I can do what the bloody hell I like, when and how I like it!
Bigsmile
So given that I've got a giant Scalextric track going on, I'm seriously into LEGO, and I needed something to scale, the LEGO train route made total sense.
Thus, I obtained a bundle of second hand stuff from eBay for 30 King-heads, and another package of track bits for 20. In the first bundle, was a basic train motor unit (the original kit was one of those 'Wild West' American locomotive sets), to which I added own diesel shunter type design, and mini shipping containers onto the basic flat wagons.
Crucially though, is the replacement power source - a phone bank charger now powers both the train and the lights.....and lasts over 36 hours  Cool

]]> I'd been thinking about knocking up a model railway of some description for quite a while (I *almost* got into it as a kid, but was hampered by not enough space and not enough money/resources.
But fast forward 40 years, and I find myself with not only a reasonably spacious apartment and plenty of cash, but a wonderful sense of utter freedom having escaped from The Beast after 21 years.
And that means I can do what the bloody hell I like, when and how I like it!
Bigsmile
So given that I've got a giant Scalextric track going on, I'm seriously into LEGO, and I needed something to scale, the LEGO train route made total sense.
Thus, I obtained a bundle of second hand stuff from eBay for 30 King-heads, and another package of track bits for 20. In the first bundle, was a basic train motor unit (the original kit was one of those 'Wild West' American locomotive sets), to which I added own diesel shunter type design, and mini shipping containers onto the basic flat wagons.
Crucially though, is the replacement power source - a phone bank charger now powers both the train and the lights.....and lasts over 36 hours  Cool

]]> <![CDATA[My Nscale railroad]]> https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=4939 Sun, 17 Aug 2025 09:22:31 +0100 https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=4939 I have added several locos and rolling stock and my scenery is gradually taking shape. Mainly long runs for trains as I like to set them going while I busy myself with other modeling projects. I have added a switching puzzle so if ever the mood takes me I can while away some time.
It's DCC which was all built from MERG kits i have servo controlled switches with frog polarity relays it all looks a mess but I know where stuff goes, it'll be tidied up one day. The name is Beggers Canyon there are some hints to that name around the layout.

 My plan is to build a shelf below for a single lane slot car track (because i need more scenery to do!).

.jpg 20250817_081153.jpg Size: 2.79 MB  Downloads: 108


.jpg 20250817_081128.jpg Size: 3.11 MB  Downloads: 134


.jpg 20250817_081100.jpg Size: 3.34 MB  Downloads: 108


.jpg 20250817_080535.jpg Size: 4.02 MB  Downloads: 111


.jpg 20250817_080505.jpg Size: 4.15 MB  Downloads: 113


.jpg 20250817_080437.jpg Size: 4.28 MB  Downloads: 121


Dave]]> I have added several locos and rolling stock and my scenery is gradually taking shape. Mainly long runs for trains as I like to set them going while I busy myself with other modeling projects. I have added a switching puzzle so if ever the mood takes me I can while away some time.
It's DCC which was all built from MERG kits i have servo controlled switches with frog polarity relays it all looks a mess but I know where stuff goes, it'll be tidied up one day. The name is Beggers Canyon there are some hints to that name around the layout.

 My plan is to build a shelf below for a single lane slot car track (because i need more scenery to do!).

.jpg 20250817_081153.jpg Size: 2.79 MB  Downloads: 108


.jpg 20250817_081128.jpg Size: 3.11 MB  Downloads: 134


.jpg 20250817_081100.jpg Size: 3.34 MB  Downloads: 108


.jpg 20250817_080535.jpg Size: 4.02 MB  Downloads: 111


.jpg 20250817_080505.jpg Size: 4.15 MB  Downloads: 113


.jpg 20250817_080437.jpg Size: 4.28 MB  Downloads: 121


Dave]]> <![CDATA[ModeL Railway #2 begins - as yet un named]]> https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=4327 Wed, 08 May 2024 16:58:23 +0100 https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=4327

But after cutting the slot car track boards up, I discovered  there was an amount of droop on the MDF, nothing to worry a Slot car, but 00 scale Loco's are more fickle !
So I doubled up on the bracing, forcing the  droops into something close to flat again, of course the bracing means more timber underneath where I may want to put point motors, we will cross that bridge later  Rofl 

But most of the boards are in place now, the slot car backscene will likely be able to be re-used for part of the layout. The gap at the end will have a removable section so I can get access to the middle without crawling under the boards. This in turn will eventually h be filled in with foam boards and lightweight removable scenery.
I have yet to fill in the slots and tidy up the shed !

It will be DCC with sound.

Currently it will be based on a fictional area in South Wales where GWR and LMS were seen circa 1945, and I hope to eventually get rolling stock and locos for early BR set a few years later as an option.

.jpg BB1.jpg Size: 907.78 KB  Downloads: 213


.jpg BB2.jpg Size: 816.16 KB  Downloads: 221


The plan is for a double height layout, effectively a separate lower level branch line and shunting/goods yard with access to the dock, a small station and a station by pass for the freight trains. This is shown as grey track on the plan. Both end curves will be hidden in tunnel or behind a false backscene.


The blue upper level is a dual mainline mainly passenger, but with provision for the odd express freight. It will feature a viaduct before the station and a metal bow bridge over the river entrance to the port.

No curve is tighter than an equivalent R4 except one in a siding. Obviously the plan will be tweaked to allow for point motors where these would be obstructed by an underboard batten, but I hope to be able to remain fairly close to the planned layout. all the roads etc are currently just for ideas and are likely to change.

.jpg plan2.3.jpg Size: 550.95 KB  Downloads: 164
]]>

But after cutting the slot car track boards up, I discovered  there was an amount of droop on the MDF, nothing to worry a Slot car, but 00 scale Loco's are more fickle !
So I doubled up on the bracing, forcing the  droops into something close to flat again, of course the bracing means more timber underneath where I may want to put point motors, we will cross that bridge later  Rofl 

But most of the boards are in place now, the slot car backscene will likely be able to be re-used for part of the layout. The gap at the end will have a removable section so I can get access to the middle without crawling under the boards. This in turn will eventually h be filled in with foam boards and lightweight removable scenery.
I have yet to fill in the slots and tidy up the shed !

It will be DCC with sound.

Currently it will be based on a fictional area in South Wales where GWR and LMS were seen circa 1945, and I hope to eventually get rolling stock and locos for early BR set a few years later as an option.

.jpg BB1.jpg Size: 907.78 KB  Downloads: 213


.jpg BB2.jpg Size: 816.16 KB  Downloads: 221


The plan is for a double height layout, effectively a separate lower level branch line and shunting/goods yard with access to the dock, a small station and a station by pass for the freight trains. This is shown as grey track on the plan. Both end curves will be hidden in tunnel or behind a false backscene.


The blue upper level is a dual mainline mainly passenger, but with provision for the odd express freight. It will feature a viaduct before the station and a metal bow bridge over the river entrance to the port.

No curve is tighter than an equivalent R4 except one in a siding. Obviously the plan will be tweaked to allow for point motors where these would be obstructed by an underboard batten, but I hope to be able to remain fairly close to the planned layout. all the roads etc are currently just for ideas and are likely to change.

.jpg plan2.3.jpg Size: 550.95 KB  Downloads: 164
]]> <![CDATA[Model Railways]]> https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=3831 Thu, 27 Jul 2023 10:57:36 +0100 https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=3831
There may well be differences in scale between model trains and slot cars, and there is obviously a difference in speed. But as Savage GT has said, there is a common bond: modelling in miniature.]]>
There may well be differences in scale between model trains and slot cars, and there is obviously a difference in speed. But as Savage GT has said, there is a common bond: modelling in miniature.]]> <![CDATA[My Railway track build, no slot cars here, move on !]]> https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=3537 Sat, 04 Feb 2023 19:19:10 +0000 https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=3537 This will be slow progress, and despite my scenic shortcomings, I am going to try my best to do it justice as a model railway.

As Hornby have only recently released the TT 1:120 range, there is still a lot of stuff available only as pre-order. Although Europe and Americans have had this scale available for some time.

I started with the plan I had made for my fathers 00 layout (3660mm x 1220mm), and tweaked it to my needs, then tweaked it more and fiddled, and around 14 or so revisions later, I think I have settled on my plan !

I will be going digital, and the layout is planned so I can run 2 trains around the outside loops and be shunting with a third in the inner section
This is on a 2440mm x 940mm board.

.jpg layout.jpg Size: 362.78 KB  Downloads: 220


Baseboard done and the first parts arrived, several more since the pic, and some hopefully next week will mean I can soon start.

.jpg sp.jpg Size: 733.92 KB  Downloads: 201


Unfortunately Hornby did not see fit to release flexi-track in the first couple of waves, so I have sourced some Tillig flexi-track which is pretty darn close to Hornby, so I should be able to make it work.]]> This will be slow progress, and despite my scenic shortcomings, I am going to try my best to do it justice as a model railway.

As Hornby have only recently released the TT 1:120 range, there is still a lot of stuff available only as pre-order. Although Europe and Americans have had this scale available for some time.

I started with the plan I had made for my fathers 00 layout (3660mm x 1220mm), and tweaked it to my needs, then tweaked it more and fiddled, and around 14 or so revisions later, I think I have settled on my plan !

I will be going digital, and the layout is planned so I can run 2 trains around the outside loops and be shunting with a third in the inner section
This is on a 2440mm x 940mm board.

.jpg layout.jpg Size: 362.78 KB  Downloads: 220


Baseboard done and the first parts arrived, several more since the pic, and some hopefully next week will mean I can soon start.

.jpg sp.jpg Size: 733.92 KB  Downloads: 201


Unfortunately Hornby did not see fit to release flexi-track in the first couple of waves, so I have sourced some Tillig flexi-track which is pretty darn close to Hornby, so I should be able to make it work.]]> <![CDATA[What have I DONE!!!!]]> https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=2979 Mon, 02 May 2022 10:06:58 +0100 https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=2979
Have I now joined the dark side???

Last friday night I was lying bed (as one does) and started looking at FB marketplace. I have the control in of only looking at ads within a 100 kms from here - so essentially locally only.

ANd I saw this advert. AT first I could not believe it. Then I thought this is not your hobby. Then I panicked over what my wife would say. Then I thought no it must be wrong

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EUROS for this?

It must be gone I thought - what the heck _ will send a mail and see. so no real  issue or harm in just sending a mail?

Sat am phone beeps - and gues what - I was the first. WHAT???? holy guacamole how do I tell swmbo. Uhmmmm put my big dress on and broached the subject, and amazingly she said yes.

SO I bought it   Rofl Rofl Rofl 



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22 Loco's - 17 work
55 Coaches
32 freight type trucks
Hundreds of tracks
at least 50 points
Buildings
 
Just one of the loco's is worth more than what I paid.

Question is - what to do now??? Tease Tease Ambulance Rofl 

PS I blame epilot for this - getting me into railway mags for scenery   Rofl Rofl
.jpg 279209851_2096208077215929_1106850221731645220_n.jpg Size: 508.1 KB  Downloads: 155
]]>
Have I now joined the dark side???

Last friday night I was lying bed (as one does) and started looking at FB marketplace. I have the control in of only looking at ads within a 100 kms from here - so essentially locally only.

ANd I saw this advert. AT first I could not believe it. Then I thought this is not your hobby. Then I panicked over what my wife would say. Then I thought no it must be wrong

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EUROS for this?

It must be gone I thought - what the heck _ will send a mail and see. so no real  issue or harm in just sending a mail?

Sat am phone beeps - and gues what - I was the first. WHAT???? holy guacamole how do I tell swmbo. Uhmmmm put my big dress on and broached the subject, and amazingly she said yes.

SO I bought it   Rofl Rofl Rofl 



.jpg 279411793_811621673148067_9154544510040193593_n.jpg Size: 438.55 KB  Downloads: 222
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22 Loco's - 17 work
55 Coaches
32 freight type trucks
Hundreds of tracks
at least 50 points
Buildings
 
Just one of the loco's is worth more than what I paid.

Question is - what to do now??? Tease Tease Ambulance Rofl 

PS I blame epilot for this - getting me into railway mags for scenery   Rofl Rofl
.jpg 279209851_2096208077215929_1106850221731645220_n.jpg Size: 508.1 KB  Downloads: 155
]]> <![CDATA[any size, any scale .... but maybe this is a step to far ?]]> https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=2696 Tue, 04 Jan 2022 21:36:53 +0000 https://slotracer.online/community/showthread.php?tid=2696  
If you want to see a slot car track, probably best you leave now and visit other posts  Bigsmile

Having just helped to move my parents into their new flat, My father now has room again for a model railway, so I decided to help out a bit.
I designed a layout for him, and have to admit I am rather quite enjoying this .... maybe I need to build my own .... no lets not go there  Rofl

But anyhoo, without further ado and keeping my post vaguely on topic, this is what I came up with after a few versions and discussions with my father:

.jpg milbrook-v4.1.jpg Size: 453.25 KB  Downloads: 259
]]>  
If you want to see a slot car track, probably best you leave now and visit other posts  Bigsmile

Having just helped to move my parents into their new flat, My father now has room again for a model railway, so I decided to help out a bit.
I designed a layout for him, and have to admit I am rather quite enjoying this .... maybe I need to build my own .... no lets not go there  Rofl

But anyhoo, without further ado and keeping my post vaguely on topic, this is what I came up with after a few versions and discussions with my father:

.jpg milbrook-v4.1.jpg Size: 453.25 KB  Downloads: 259
]]>