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 Posted - October 11 2024 : 6:20:00 PM
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Having tried to shrink Armodilloville to a 4x4, and trying to use camera angles to
overcome the size limitations, I found that I got bored with it fairly quickly and
I missed being able to display as many structures and things that accumulated
over the years.
So, I cleared some space in the garage and am doing a 4x8 do-over. EZ track has
been remarkably reliable and lends itself easily to the things I want to do, so
after contemplating cooking up various twice-around schemes, I stumbled upon this
eBay merchant called Crazy Model Trains. He specializes in prepackaging layout
track for his range of CAD-designed layouts.
His designs were superior to mine, and I like the removal of the trial
and error. The 4 x 12 version of Armadilloville was laid using vintage
Tyco brass track, and while it looked pretty cool, it was constantly shifting about
on the level of millimeters. I suspect the irregular temperatures and desert heat
had much to do with that, so it took a lot a lot of time trouble shooting and
replacing or repairing defective sections. EZ track, for the balance, doesn't need
a lot of attention once it is down, and allows me to focus on running trains and
creating scenery.
Here's what she looks like after a year of neglect:
This is the track plan that will be the next Armodilloville:
It's a little cheaper, and a lot more efficient to buy his set, as I don't have to
have a bunch of extras that I'd otherwise have to pay for to get one piece.
Some other things I like is the double ended spur that will allow me to
restore some of my industries that wouldn't fit, and still leaves an open space
to plant the trolley bus. The long sidings will allow for the staging of trains without
having to remove them everytime I want to change up the consist.
Some people remark that the Bachmann EZ turnouts give derailment trouble, but
I have found that as long as the wheel sets are properly gauged, they are trouble
free.
Edited by - Chops124 on October 11 2024 6:24:12 PM
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 Posted - October 12 2024 : 1:08:32 PM
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I know you will have it up and running in no time Jeff.
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Posted - October 12 2024 : 3:17:03 PM
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Posted - October 13 2024 : 10:16:23 AM
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The sweet smell of fresh lumber. I love the blank canvas a 4x8 provides. Armodilloville will come
back better than before. Track arrives next week.
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Posted - October 17 2024 : 4:54:53 PM
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Track came in! I've had a lot of good experience with the Bachmann
EZ Track and this comes as a kit with exactly all the bits you need.
Looking forward to running some Ye Olde Tyco and Ye Olde Marx
soon!! Armadilloville lives!
BTW, the pterodactyl is Tyco, from the Jurrasic Park Set.
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Posted - October 17 2024 : 6:42:52 PM
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Shake the box! Just a bunch of operational possibilities in a 4x8.
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Posted - October 17 2024 : 7:51:09 PM
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| https://tycotrain.tripod.com/tycotrains/id71.html
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Posted - October 18 2024 : 2:24:08 PM
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If this guy is who I think it is, I worked with him on these layouts. The basic track plans were his ideas, and I would go over them eliminating potential trouble spots like S curves to make the layouts as trouble free as possible. Altogether I must have worked on about a dozen layout ideas with him. I am not sure if this is one of them, but it is a good solid design overall.
Edited by - jward on October 18 2024 6:18:36 PM
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Posted - October 18 2024 : 8:15:52 PM
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It's the #5, Crazy Model Trains, out of Florida. Having gazed at track plans
from John Armstrong, Lyn Wescott, the Tyco Expander Layout, and many
more, I've yet to see anyone come up with so much operational possibility in a 4x6 or 4x8. His larger packages are also quite clever. He uses AnyRail.
By comparison, the Tyco Expander Layout was really quite lame.
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Posted - October 20 2024 : 5:10:50 PM
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Two things with this layout and EZ track in general.
First, I would strongly advise using a capacitor discharge unit to power those switches. Why? THe CD unit will help prevent switch motors from burnung out. EZ track is, like many newer products, great in theory. But the switch motors are buried under the roadbed where you can't work on them without tearing up your track. Worse, Bachmann does not sell spare motors for these the way Atlas does, meaning that if one fails and you still want a powered switch you have to buy a new one. So anything your can do to minimized their chance of failure is a good investment.
Second, have you thought about how you are going to power this layout? I assume you won't be using DCC with the locomotives you run, as converting them would open a whole new can of worms. So if you want to tap the full potential of this layout and run two trains, you will need to use some form of block control. The easiest way to set up these blocks is to pull some of the rail joiners off the EZ track and replace them with insulated ones. Unfortunately, Bachmann has made removing said rail joiners a difficult task. If you can't remove the joiners, you'll have to cut gaps in the proper places with a Dremel tool.
I can help you bu pointing out the places you'll want to put the gaps. I'd suggest using a couple of Atlas Selectors to control the blocks. They have a modular design similar to the control boxes for the switches. Just let me know and I'll send you a revised plan with the blocks drawn in.
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Posted - October 20 2024 : 7:40:31 PM
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Thanks Jward, I didn't know about capacitors. One of the two blocked transformers has
a fixed 12 V DC outlet as well as the 16 V AC outlet. Would I be better off using the 12V
outlet?
I have three blocks planned, powered by two separately powered circuits.
In other forums, all I see are endless questions about "why my DCC isn't working," and
trouble-shooting that mess is not my idea of relaxation and enjoyment.
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Posted - October 20 2024 : 9:19:01 PM
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Ax or DC would depend on the Capacitor discharge unit you choose. If it has a rectifier you can use it with AC or DC. But if it dees not it must be used with DC.
https://www.hobbylinc.com/circuitron-snapper-switch-machine-power-supply-model-railroad-electrical-accessory-5303
https://www.hobbylinc.com/miniatronics-capacitive-discharge-unit-handles-up-to-10-switch-machines-model-railroad-electrical-pdc1
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Posted - November 10 2024 : 2:40:16 PM
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https://youtu.be/-UXW9r0m8Z0
Armadilloville Reboot
First real operating session with two trains. I am thrilled with the
derailment-free operation of the Bachmann EZ track. The vintage Aerotrain
is begging for PC lettering and the repaired ACL passenger set runs like
a dream. I am delighted!  
Using Wondershare.15 to create the videos it is becoming so complicated that I
am thinking of abandoning it and finding another platform. Does YouTube
have a video editor? It used to, then it got cut, forcing me into this Wondershare
mess.
I am forced to use their awful repetitive soundtracks and am bombarded with
upsells to use AI. I kind of like using my own creativity, and am not too
thrilled with the whole AI premise. I like old school.
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Posted - November 11 2024 : 01:08:18 AM
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| Looks like things are moving great! That Tyco Talgo is spectacular, I'm surprised that red light at the back isn't glowing.
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