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Basic track questions from a newbie


Kiran

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Hi all, apologies for all the novice questions but I am just getting started.

 

I have a Tomix LT-PC Myplan track A plan 94909. I also bought a set of 4 extra S280 (I think) pieces. So that I have more space for the Tomix 500 8 car unit. I arranged this in an oval.

So here are the questions:

 

1. How much track can I keep adding to it before I need to get a bigger controller? I have the controller that comes with the LT-PC Myplan kit which I think is N 600.

 

2. I want to make this oval double track with an interchange. I am guessing I need wider curve rail. The LT-PC Myplan comes with C280. Do I also need longer straight rail?

 

3. Do I need a new controller for the second track?

 

4. What do I need for an interchange? I am OK to start with a manual one.

 

5. If I want to run 2 trains in opposite directions simultaneously, I assume I will need 2 controllers?

 

6. I would like some kind of a bridge. So I want to elevate the track. Any suggestions on a basic one to start? Is this what they mean by viaduct?

 

Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

Regards,

Kiran

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1: You won't need a bigger controller but additional power feeder cables and Y cables. Usually every 2 to 4 meters.

 

2: The next wider curve is C317 and the outer oval will have the same amount of straights.

 

3: Yes, one controller forvevery loop / train.

 

4: If you mean turnout, then a double track crossover would work. It's a single piece and works off the shelf.

 

5: Yes and separate tracks.

 

6: Viaduct ramp sets come with elevated tracks and piers to increase the height and some have a bride in the middle. Or you can make your own ramps with normal tracks and only get a bridge if you want. Using the sets are much easier.

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bill937ca

You can add as much track as you want and still use the same controller. You may find you need to add more feeders. Useful items are the 5812 branching cord which allows you to set up two feeders off the same power pack, and 5813 which is a DC feeder extension cord.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10010012

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10010013

The next curve up from R280 is R317.

Yes, another controller for the second track is necessary.  https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/599/0/1

The classic Tomix train turnout is the 541-15. This should accommodate main line trains.  There are numerous choices here. Wooden ties, synthetic ties, pc track etc.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/604/0/1

Yes, to run two trains in opposite directions you will need two controllers.

Tomix offers numerous bridges and a variety of inclines and piers.  You can find the bridges in the Tomix track link above.

There also are bridge approach sets.  https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10089704

 

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Thank you for all the replies. To add the other track, should I look at buying a track set or should I just get the track pieces separately? Right now, I have an oval with 8 C380 curve track, 7 S280 straight track and 2 S140 straight track and one of the S140 is the rerail track. So for the double track, I will need 8 C317 curve track, 7 S280 straight track and 2 S140 with one of them being rerail. Am I correct? Plus the controller and power leads.

 

I will look at the bridge sets.

 

Thanks,

Kiran

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There are outer oval sets with 317 mm curves and you just need the same amount of extra staights that you added to the inner oval (280 mm) set.

 

The crossover piece with 4 turnouts built in will be 280 mm long and goes in place of two 280 mm long straights.

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19 hours ago, kvp said:

There are outer oval sets with 317 mm curves and you just need the same amount of extra staights that you added to the inner oval (280 mm) set.

 

 

Any pointers to the outer oval sets with 317 curves? I could only find this which seems to be a double track set with 317 and 541 curve rails. https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10033391

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1 hour ago, Kiran said:

Any pointers to the outer oval sets with 317 curves? I could only find this which seems to be a double track set with 317 and 541 curve rails. https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10033391

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/m/10260862

This one has the outer oval (317 mm) with concrete sleepers, while the 541 mm curve pieces are for the island platform between the tracks. Imho there is a set for wooden tie track too. Of course getting the pieces separately is also an option.

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On 5/11/2018 at 4:30 PM, Kiran said:

Thank you for all the replies. To add the other track, should I look at buying a track set or should I just get the track pieces separately? Right now, I have an oval with 8 C380 curve track, 7 S280 straight track and 2 S140 straight track and one of the S140 is the rerail track. So for the double track, I will need 8 C317 curve track, 7 S280 straight track and 2 S140 with one of them being rerail. Am I correct? Plus the controller and power leads.

 

I will look at the bridge sets.

 

Thanks,

Kiran

 

Seeing the Tomix LT-PC set has PC tie track you will want track to match.

You will need:

2 packages of Tomix 1192  Fine Track Curved PC Track C317-45-PC (F) (Set of 4)  https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10266417

2 packages of Tomix 1012  Fine Track Straight PC Track S280-PC (F) (Set of 4)       https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10266413

1 package of Tomix 1011 Fine Track Straight PC Track S140-PC (F) (Set of 4)   https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10266411

 

This will give you a little more track than you need but track is only sold in packages of four.

 

You do not need a rerailer per say. Most of us do not use rerailers.

 

For power supply you can use:

Tomix 5507   TCS Power Unit N-600    https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160414

Tomix 5534 D.C. Feeder N https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10009865

The DC feeder will connect the power to the tracks.

 

 

 

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If you are buying from Japan.  It will normally work out cheaper to buy the individual 4 packs compared to a larger oval pack etc.  This is due to volume of poly-styene in the bigger packs that is just useless weight and volume to pay for extra shipping cost.

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3 hours ago, bill937ca said:

 

Seeing the Tomix LT-PC set has PC tie track you will want track to match.

You will need:

2 packages of Tomix 1192  Fine Track Curved PC Track C317-45-PC (F) (Set of 4)  https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10266417

2 packages of Tomix 1012  Fine Track Straight PC Track S280-PC (F) (Set of 4)       https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10266413

1 package of Tomix 1011 Fine Track Straight PC Track S140-PC (F) (Set of 4)   https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10266411

 

This will give you a little more track than you need but track is only sold in packages of four.

 

You do not need a rerailer per say. Most of us do not use rerailers.

 

For power supply you can use:

Tomix 5507   TCS Power Unit N-600    https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160414

Tomix 5534 D.C. Feeder N https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10009865

The DC feeder will connect the power to the tracks.

 

 

 

Thank you for that list. I really appreciated. In my hobby store cart ready to be ordered! Any thoughts on the turnout?

 

What is the purpose of the rerail? I notice in my starter kit track that I can attach feeder to any of the curve rails too.

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Turnouts are important to make a more complex layout, with options to 'park' some of your trains either at the stations, or to switch out into a yard for parking trains... As the train collection grows (which is sure too given the huge amount of poison in this forum), the yard is truly a place to be much desired to showcase all your trains!

 

The Re-railer is actually to place the train cars onto the tracks itself. When I first started the hobby, I couldn't do without the re-railer, as it is pretty difficult to place the train cars onto the tracks and ensure all 4 wheels sit perfectly on the tracks. If one of the wheel is mis-aligned, derailment happens pretty soon. As we go deeply into the hobby, most of us learn how to place the train cars correctly onto the tracks and thus the re-railer seems to be obsolete...

 

Feeders can also be attached to curves, but depending on how wide the curve is, and whether or not there is a gap and a place to insert the feeder into... 

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1 hour ago, JR 500系 said:

 

The Re-railer is actually to place the train cars onto the tracks itself. When I first started the hobby, I couldn't do without the re-railer, as it is pretty difficult to place the train cars onto the tracks and ensure all 4 wheels sit perfectly on the tracks. If one of the wheel is mis-aligned, derailment happens pretty soon. As we go deeply into the hobby, most of us learn how to place the train cars correctly onto the tracks and thus the re-railer seems to be obsolete...

 

Ah, rerailer is the additional incline piece. Of course, that is the only way I can get the train on the track properly.

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The 2 S140 rails in my starter set are different. One of them is S140RE. What purpose does this S140RE serve? The instructions said I should connect power to this piece which I did.

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21 minutes ago, Kiran said:

The 2 S140 rails in my starter set are different. One of them is S140RE. What purpose does this S140RE serve? The instructions said I should connect power to this piece which I did.

 

That is a straight piece with re-railer in it.  Often, it seems, the re-railer part is used for a level crossing section of your layout.   

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23 minutes ago, Kiran said:

The 2 S140 rails in my starter set are different. One of them is S140RE. What purpose does this S140RE serve? The instructions said I should connect power to this piece which I did.

 

The S140RE is referring to the Re-railer track? The track with the crossing piece:

 

http://www.tomytec.co.jp/tomix/products/n/90949.html

 

Basically works the same as the re-railer (inclined piece thingy)... Let's you set the trains easier onto the tracks.... 

 

Basically, you can almost connect the power anywhere on the track so long there is a connector space... but when turnouts come in, that's where the location of the power feed becomes a little tricky... 

Edited by JR 500系
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Hi All, I am back with an update on my double track endeavors as well as a couple of questions.

 

So for the outer loop of my double track, I am going to get track sections separately. I decided to use C317 for the inner loop and C354 for the outer loop so that I can run Shinkansens at full throttle. Straight sections for both loops with be essentially 4 S280.

 

I haven't given up on the bridge set yet. Since I have to build my layout on the floor in my apartment, I need to ideally have a bridge so that part of my track is elevated. The basic bridge approach set seems to be for single track. I found this set but I am not entirely sure what this does.

Fine Track Rail Set Viaduct Double Track Grade Separation Set (Track Layout HC)

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10494378

 

It looks like this comes with double track (DS 280 instead of S 280). Will I be able to incorporate this into my double track oval layout somewhere?

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Sorry again for all the questions. I also found this one.

Fine Track Rail Set Viaduct Double Track Basic Set (Rail Pattern HA) 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10536120

 

The description is a little vague. Being blind, I can't see the images and so I can't figure out how it differs from the other one Fine Track Rail Set Viaduct Double Track Grade Separation Set (Track Layout HC)

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10494378

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28 minutes ago, Kiran said:

Sorry again for all the questions. I also found this one.

Fine Track Rail Set Viaduct Double Track Basic Set (Rail Pattern HA) 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10536120

 

The description is a little vague. Being blind, I can't see the images and so I can't figure out how it differs from the other one Fine Track Rail Set Viaduct Double Track Grade Separation Set (Track Layout HC)

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10494378

 

The HA can be combined with the HB and the HC to form the 2nd picture from the top. The HC, which is the already released set, is the grade separation, or in other words, the inclines and declines set, for creating overhead tracks and ground tracks inclines and declines. The HB is the station set, whereby the overhead station in right on top of the ground station, which allows for a nice interchange station diorama. The HA is the most basic overhead oval track set. 

 

Can I ask where your location might be in? reason is, the shipping for these gigantic sets can cost a bomb, and often, of you already have a track plan in mind, it might be more cost effective to buy the different components of the tracks and ship them over to your location. 

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On 5/20/2018 at 9:32 PM, JR 500系 said:

 

The HA can be combined with the HB and the HC to form the 2nd picture from the top. The HC, which is the already released set, is the grade separation, or in other words, the inclines and declines set, for creating overhead tracks and ground tracks inclines and declines. The HB is the station set, whereby the overhead station in right on top of the ground station, which allows for a nice interchange station diorama. The HA is the most basic overhead oval track set. 

 

Can I ask where your location might be in? reason is, the shipping for these gigantic sets can cost a bomb, and often, of you already have a track plan in mind, it might be more cost effective to buy the different components of the tracks and ship them over to your location. 

One of my colleagues is traveling from Japan. He is going to bring the track set and some of the other smaller items I need.

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I am back with couple more questions.

 

1. I see that Tomix sells double track like DS280 and DC317-DC280. Are you able to connect 1 controller each to the 2 rails in a double track so that I can run trains in opposit directions?

2. If I create my double track using single tracks instead, what is the best way to ensure that there is consistent gap between outer and inner loops?

 

Thanks,

Kiran

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While I don't have Tomix track, I would assume it is like the KATO track, in that you can add separate controllers for each of the two tracks in the double track.

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2 hours ago, Kiran said:

I am back with couple more questions.

 

1. I see that Tomix sells double track like DS280 and DC317-DC280. Are you able to connect 1 controller each to the 2 rails in a double track so that I can run trains in opposit directions?

2. If I create my double track using single tracks instead, what is the best way to ensure that there is consistent gap between outer and inner loops?

 

Thanks,

Kiran

 

Hi there:

 

1) Yes you can connect, or rather, Tomix requires you to connect one feeder to one track. But do not connect 2 feeders to the same track  😛

Double tracks means you need 2 controllers to run two trains on two separate tracks. (from the DC point of view, not so sure about the DCC one though)

 

2) Assuming you are using Tomix, the best way is to use WIDE Tracks by Tomix. WIDE tracks come with a ballast sides and canted curves. The ballast sides allow for consistent gaps in between tracks when placed one beside the other. They are officially single tracks, but can be jointed together (with Tomix included connectors) at the bottom to become 2,3, 4 or as many tracks as you like (or have space for) for them to run together. Just remember one track one feeder rule ~ 

 

Nothing explains clearer than a picture, right?  

 

Hope that helps!

 

Edited by JR 500系
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