[DanielC]

With the Tomix cleaning car. It works very well

I recently got this Tomix track cleaning car. But it looks like using a sanding method. Reading other track cleaning comments, it seemed sanding method is not preferred. You had good experience with this Tomix car?

 

[BigEd]

I have 2 of these. I have never used the sanding paper wheels, only the wet wheels and the vacuum. Seems my one lost its motor…

 

[Federico]

I also need to share the first test of the Unitran city part of the layout. I like using Unitram for big spaces in the middle of the design. I have two different types of teams running. The original ones, blue, red and green and the new pocket line. I admit I wasn't very convinced about the pocket light when they came out, but these run well and fit well with the city.

 

[Federico]

One of my objectives for the new layout is to start doing new things on model railways, get outside of my comfort zone, and learn new things about the hobby. I went back to a DCC layout, and here is my first autoreverse loop. It was very easy to set up and works very well. Now, I can run trains in both directions on my main line. It brings another dimension to the hobby.

 

[Federico]

Here is more progress. This is another main line, and you can see that I am working on the second level and the helix.

 

[Federico]

This video is from a few weeks ago. You can see the progress on the viaduct level. After the Helix, the line goes to a 3-track viaduct with a reverse loop in the middle; it goes to a mountain and returns using a single viaduct.
The next step is to work on the helix to connect both levels.

 

[DanielC]

How do you access that hidden reverse loop?

 

[Federico]

ow do you access that hidden reverse loop?

The top is separated from the layout, and I can remove it and have access. It also has a big hole in the middle for a future helix, which I can access from below.

 

[Federico]

I made good progress this morning on the layout's mountainside. I had to figure out a clever option to access the mainline that runs under the mountain. I built a box with wood that can be opened if needed. The challenge now is to make it look like a mountain.

 

[DanielC]

View attachment 649118
View attachment 649117

I made good progress this morning on the layout's mountainside. I had to figure out a clever option to access the mainline that runs under the mountain. I built a box with wood that can be opened if needed. The challenge now is to make it look like a mountain.

View attachment 649118

Kato Unitrack curved viaduct pieces has a 1mm superelevation on the outside edge. This causes a bump at curve to straight joint. Worse case is S curve viaduct joints. I shimmed these joints. Grind the rail should help also.

 

[Federico]

After many days of thinking and with the help of ChatJPT, I came up with the following name and logo for my layout.

 

[Federico]

I finally started working on the helix. My idea is to build a mountain around it when it works properly. That is the reason for the green color.

 

[Federico]

The helix construction was faster than I thought. Here is the first test of the helix.
It is great to connect both levels. I have a long circuit where I can run three or even four trains simultaneously.

 

[GGNinNScale]

The helix construction was faster than I thought. Here is the first test of the helix.
It is great to connect both levels. I have a long circuit where I can run three or even four trains simultaneously.

Yikes!!! Nice job!!

 

[Federico]

Layout update: I started last year on the Thanksgiving holiday. This is where I am today, on the 4th of July holiday. I'm happy with the progress on 8 months considering I work full time and have a busy family life with my lovely wife and two amazing kids.

 

[Federico]

Layout update, know controles by DCC-EX.

 

[Federico]

More progress to report. Helix, the 5th level is ready, and I have also started on the 3rd level of the layout and the suspension bridge.

 

[GAM440]

Really beautiful and creative! It is both realistic with the buildings and cityscapes and illusionary with the plain, green parks and simple tree cover. So nice!