Playing with SCARM

The last time I tried using SCARM I didn't get very far with it - I found it hard to understand, unusual for me as I consider myself to be reasonably computer-savvy. Just couldn't get to grips with it so gave up pretty quickly and went back to designing in my head.

Having seen so many positive reviews from different people I decided to take another look and downloaded a newer version. Reason being is that I think my idea for the loft layout is a bit boring and doesn't make sufficient use of all the available space.

This was my first attempt this evening using SCARM, nice to see that it not only has all the 3 rail Dublo track system, it also had the Marklin turntable.

Admittedly the tracks don't line up properly in places but I can overcome this in real, this is what I have in mind, this is based roughly on the dimensions of the loft. I'll need to measure it again before I start ripping up tracks...

The current design (which I haven't drawn on SCARM) is basically a square layout with a terminus in the centre, which is accessed via a triangular junction. This proposed design gives me an additional track through the centre of the loft, I can add a narrow board along the centre joist support to provide this and this will give me a longer route than I currently have. Down side is that this design doesn't give me a terminus, unless I can figure out a way of adding a raised section and mount this above the existing track work. 

The one thing I really like with SCARM is that once you've finished designing, it will generate a list of the items needed to construct the layout.

It's still early days but I'm slowly getting the hang of this!

Turning the table

After a light oiling and a quick test, I turned my attention to the broken turntable switch.

The original Marklin switch, as well as being broken, will look quite clumsy when installed on the layout, so I divised a simple circuit, using a latching relay and 2 diodes so that I can use a normal spdt  toggle switch to control direction and send a pulse signal to start the turntable moving.

After about 20 minutes, I came up with this...

The switch is a momentary on-off-on toggle switch, although it looks to be switched in one direction, it's actually in the centre off position. I'll find a better switch!

...works perfectly, controls the turntable in both directions. Turntable indexes a treat. I'll hide the circuit under the board and while I'm at it I will redo the terminals on the turntable itself, hiding the connections underneath, rather than using the original connector plugs supplied. The only visible component will be the toggle switch, much neater than this...

Märklin turntable

This arrived during the week...

Haven't had a chance to fully test it yet but it appears to have a defective control switch.

There's some minor warping to the plastic casing which is stopping one of the contacts inside from reaching the other. I could try to heat it back into position but I have a plan to control this using a toggle switch, via a latching relay and a couple of diodes. This will look much neater than the current arrangement, which is rather large, unattractive and clumsy looking when all the wires are connected.

I could have spent hours butchering a genuine Dublo turntable, fitting a motor & gearbox etc but this thing has all those gubbins already installed, plus it should stop at every track, something that would have taken me days to figure out.

I'll probably use it in the loft layout as my planned turntable position isn't that easy to reach, this will eliminate the problem of having to reach over to turn the locos and of course gives me 6 roads rather than the standard Dublo 5. Plus it gives me more scope with the design of the approach to the turntable, might even be able to design a run round loop from this.

I'll post more pics when I've constructed the switch mechanism and installed it but for now I'm happy to have finally tracked down one of these.

Finally got a proper workbench

...well kind of.

Having purchased a new desk for the home office, I've relegated my old one, which was basically some kitchen cupboards minus the feet with a side panel for a desktop, to the roof. This gives me a dedicated (but cramped) area to work on the locos properly and means I can set up the vice, soldering station, Dremel and a small test track, whilst removing the dumping ground / test track that had become the centre of the layout.

This was my first proper trip to the loft since all the work we did on the portable layout in February. Basically I'd spent so many hours that I'd sort of lost interest in it all, plus the weather's been too cold.

Hopefully with the new work area I can get cracking with the loft layout, I now have sufficient track for both layouts so no more pilfering of the loft layout, I can get on and build the damn thing.

To test my new workstation I revisited my Bachmann DMU that I'd converted ages ago but was never  overly happy with its running. The driving motor coach is much lighter than the newer EMUs and that, combined with the resistance from the Marklin skate, caused slippage and derailments on corners. I managed to modify the pickup, removing the original Marklin backing to the skate and soldering it straight onto a small peg board, which is then screwed to the bogie. Removing the backing piece moves the skate a few crucial millimetres upwards, reduces the tension and stops the derailments and slipping.

Job done...