On30 Layout

Our On30 Australian themed logging layout is under way in the new layout room. This will be DCC controlled (Lenz and Roco) and is set in the time period of the mid to late 1950s. Framing is aluminum tubing and basic land form is built up using high density foam overlaid with mixtures of real rock, real soil and various scenery items.

February/March 2008 - Work has started on the connection track to the upper level. Planning of the upper level at this stage is to have the track point to point and at eye level for a 6’ person. Most of the base level track work has now been tweaked for smooth running but a couple of areas still need refinement.

July/August 2007 - Nearing completion of hand laying of track for the return loop that will become the township area of Britannia Creek. As the layout basically consists of two reserve loops linked via a single track, protection from short circuit was a necessity. Our solution was to use two of Tony’s Train Exchange “PSRev” PowerShield Intelligent Reverse/Breaker devices and a single “PSOne” PowerShield Intelligent Circuit Breaker for the track between them.

I'd describe myself as having fair soldering skills and minimal electronics knowledge. I'm pleased to be able to report that both units were very easy to install and worked first time. The instructions were clear and easy to understand. The only recommendation I'd make is to perhaps highlight the rail gap positions in the instructions diagram a bit more just in case they are missed.

April 2007 - The trestle bridge has been constructed.

February 2007 - Progress on the layout with respect to more hand laying of track, commencement of a Rusty Stumps Freight Deport and general landforming. Our Bachmann On30 Climax finally has it’s Soundtraxx decoder fitted and it does sound good and runs very well.

December 2006 - I’ve decided to remove framing that had been installed in preparation for a fairly large peninsula. It dominated our hobby room and I know it would have taken some time to get around to completing it. This has freed up access to the L shaped wall sections and looks a lot better. There is now a chance I’ll get the layout finished any time soon.

Here are some scenes from the layout.

This photo, kindly taken by Mario Rapinett, shows the Freight Depot and Mine temporarily situated awaiting permanent positioning on the layout.

This photo was composed by Mario. In August 2007 a siding has been added at the position occupied by the Climax.

This photo features six of Will Sasse’s mining hoppers, close coupled behind the Shay.

A photo of our new Climax, now fitted with a Soundtraxx decoder.

The Shay crosses the second timber bridge on the layout.

Some of the Britannia Creek landscape.

Some of the hand laid track and rock scenery.

The Shay crosses the first bridge

Some of the mill workers have stopped to stretch their legs as they drive into town on a Friday afternoon.