Building A TT:120 Model Railway - Episode 4: How To Build An Incline
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2024
- In Episode 4 of Building A TT:120 Model Railway, I show you how to build an incline.
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In the previous episode I constructed the upper level on a separate baseboard and now it's time to join it to the main layout. That means I'll need to figure out how to build an incline so that trains can run from the main circuits up to the terminus station on the top level.
This doesn't go exactly to plan and with a few unexpected hiccups to deal with I'm reminded why having inclines on model railways isn't usually a good idea!
Products Used:
Peco TT Flexible Track: www.themodelcentre.com/sl-1200
Woodland Scenics Incline: www.themodelcentre.com/st1416...
DCC Concepts Power Base: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2630577110...
DCC Concepts Magnets: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2530127174...
2mm Cork Underlay: amzn.to/3xzxMWk
PVA Glue: amzn.to/43TyZE5
Track Tacks: amzn.to/3UiGhOE
Drill: amzn.to/43UIlPI
Double Sided Tape: amzn.to/3vFw4Cp
Craft Knife: amzn.to/4auk3Pd
Nail Punch: amzn.to/3xtkL0m
Feeder Wire: amzn.to/4cRsSnR
Bus Wire: amzn.to/43YAFfw
Soldering Iron: amzn.to/3TYNNg8
Wire Clips: amzn.to/3xwZTWj
Splice Connectors: amzn.to/3vO2Voy
DCC-EX Controller: ebay.us/oToeYt
Hornby TT A3 Night Hawk: prf.hn/l/1eLJ454
Hornby TT HST: prf.hn/l/gx1oQly
Hornby TT Mk1 Coaches: prf.hn/l/lQqp1pQ
Hornby TT Mk3 Coaches: prf.hn/l/jXnZ9qJ
Some links may be affiliates meaning I may earn commission on some links at no extra cost to you.
Thanks for watching 😃
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I've never seen the Power Base before! What a clever idea to help with adhesion
Loving this series, it's been very helpful with my own layout. Looking forward to the next episode!
It's definitely handy for steep gradients on model railways - DCC Concepts do a version to fit 00 gauge track too. It might be worth consideration for your line down to your dockyard if you even want small locos to pull long freight trains out of there.
Really glad to hear you've been enjoying the series - likewise I enjoyed catching up on your most recent layout video too. Thanks for watching 🤩
And I'm definitely loving your layout series
That power base system is genius, a literal game changer for multi-level or inclined layouts.
This is really coming along nicely, can’t wait for next time.
It certainly takes away any uncertainty about inclines on a layout. I could see this being put to good use on a helix system too. Thanks for watching 🤩
This is going to be a gorgeous little layout. I’m not quite sure why I might use TT120, but it’s definitely something I like the look of.
Thanks! I have to admit when I started in TT:120 I wasn't sure how much benefit the scale would offer but I have to admit I'm really enjoying it and this layout is great fun to operate (even without the scenics!) Thanks for watching 😃
A good video on how to do the incline this way, but it is only one way and expensive too, I thought I was going to see other ways too. Still a good way of showing this in this video.
I'm only building one layout at the moment with one incline - if I do another layout with an incline in the future I'll most likely show a different technique. Generally though I've found this to be the easiest way to get a consistent climb with minimal fuss. Thanks for watching 👍
Looking good. 👍
Even though your layout is almost an exact copy of my planned layout I have raised the frontal area by around 20mm so that the incline is only 2% and creates a scenic lowland in the centre where the shunting yard is.
The main difference with mine is that all the outer tracks rise to the same level as the top station but travel over a viaduct and a Bridge into the top station goes over a canal.
My trains can also access the upper level in both directions after going through the reverse loop which it looks like you can't?
I have introduced Tillig points and MTB motors to give this option.
Just when You think you’ve seen everything
You learn something new,
A real game changer with the gradient using the Power base.
That’s incredible!
Really enjoying this series, learning so many new things! :)
Glad you're enjoying it Rob! The Power Base is definitely very handy for allowing locos to pull heavy trains up inclines and it's all based around such a simple concept too. Thanks for watching 🤩
Great job on the incline. Inclines are never easy to do, but you done well getting it right and making sure that trains can run up it no problem 😀
I do feel the Woodland Scenics risers are the best way to get a nice, smooth incline but yes making sure we had a foolproof plan here was crucial.
That said it's only the A4 and A3 that need to use the power base to be honest - both the HST and the new Class 50 are much heavier and have no trouble pulling long trains up the incline. Thanks for watching 😃
Love a layout with a second level and in this case it gives good reason for a delightful tunnel feature. I have built such a slope before but it was complicated and time consuming, I am inclined to think that your method is a far better way forward, and very uplifting to see the build going so well. Those magnets look so effective, a bit like the old Hornby "Magnadhesion" but under the track and not in the loco. Excellent video thanks.
Considering my Dad wanted both a tunnel, a bridge and an upper level, it was the logical way to kill many birds with one stone and I agree, it does visually add a lot to the layout.
I have to admit I was concerned about the incline and getting them smooth enough to operate reliably can be really tricky. The polystyrene incline sections and the Power Base have really made the whole process a lot easier. Thanks for watching 🤩
You are the first I have seen using metal plates, this is a master stroke.
Think this will be stunning when finished.
It's funny, I thought the Power Base was already well known but it seems a lot of people are discovering it for the first time through this video.
I certainly hope so! I want to be able to show off TT:120 at its best during the exhibition later this year. Thanks for watching 😃
Power Base. Great minds think alike! I knew I’d need this for more than 2%. Nice video
Depending on the length/weight of trains you want to run it might even be useful for a 2% grade too. Thanks for watching 🤩
I was very interested to see what your solution was, the powerbase seems like quite the clever idea! Going to give it a run on my OO gauge layout with similar inclines and see if it helps a bit for more realistic running.
It's definitely a handy thing to have in your back pocket when all else fails! I used the N gauge version on this layout but there is a 00 gauge version as well which has bigger plates and stronger magnets. Thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy What did you use to attach the magnets to the bottom of the loco?
Excellent series - and huge thank you again for taking the time to talk to us over @MacTrains and @PeachyTT120. Getting great feedback
My pleasure, glad to hear it's going down well! 👍
Quite a bit of tedious work, but the incline looks and works really well, it seems. I never would have thought the magnets would do it, but they apparently work very well. Can't wait to see how you scenic the area.
I quite like a challenge to be honest, much more interesting than when it all goes to plan 😅
I think they're neodymium magnets so quite strong, the act of them pulling the loco down gives it more tractive power on the rails. It's similar to the old Hornby/Triang "magnadhesion" and why a lot of people prefer having heavier/diecast models these days. Thanks for watching 👍
Blimey, speedy progress! Lovely seeing trains running. (Nice laser cut supports, too!)
Ah the power of editing 😅 I agree, it's really nice to be able to run trains in and out of the station now that it's all connected up. Thanks for watching 🤩
bit late to mention it (sorry!), there is another way to ease gradients, take the bit thats not under the upper deck and raise that, so where your incline starts you are already say a third of the way there, then drop back to go under the upper deck. using this here to allow a 1:50 (2%) slope, also means the track at the front is variable in height avoiding "flatshire" look
those powerbases are nifty, Hornby used to do similar when they were using steel rail, which brought its own issues, this is a clever way to do it
It was something we considered but there were two main issues:
Firstly, if the mainline was starting to rise along the front it would have to come back down before the bridge on the right hand side of the layout. That would would result in a small but short and sharp incline for any trains travelling clockwise around the circuit and would have further impacted things like the cut-through and the shunting yard too.
The second consideration was it would visually diminish the impact of the upper level and we wanted there to be a clear distinction between the two. By having the section along the front climbing up, either we would have to raise the landscape behind it up as well (which didn't fit the brief I was given) or cut it off and create a basin of sorts.
As I said in the video, it's always better to have a longer incline if you can but we also have to appreciate that every model railway is a compromise and (just as we run trains on incredibly tight curves) sometimes we have to accept a sharp incline if an upper level is really wanted. Thanks for watching 😃
That is great idea that powerbase going to look into that for inclines. Your dad has got to be excited that his layout is inspiring all of us. Thanks for sharing.
GOD BLESS from America
🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖
It definitely got me out of hot water on this occasion! I had a feeling it might be needed with the length of trains we wanted to run so luckily it didn't delay me too much. Thanks for watching 😃
think i speak for a lot of people when i say the incline was something i eagerly anticipated, and i'm really pleased with how well it came together. magnets! the genuinely ancient technology (discovered independently in china, india and greece) still doing their best work.
It is something a lot of people worry about as it's so easy to get wrong if your incline happens to be a little sharp at one point. Thankfully the woodland scenics risers take all of the guessing out the picture and power base really helps locos that don't have much weight too. Thanks for watching 😃
Excellent video, some great ideas 😊
Really glad you enjoyed it John, it was definitely a steep learning curve! Thanks for watching 🤩
Some fab stuff here, and an excellent demonstration of the use of the powerbase.
I will say though, the gradient wasn't the only thing causing the train to stall, but friction and non-linear forces as you'd find on any tightly curved railway. If it was a straight shot all the way to the top, or a less extreme alignment, I reckon the A3 would have managed on its own just fine. Sadly, that's the constraints of physics for you.
I was literally just thinking no-one had commented yet on the curve being a contributing factor too! The A3 was fine even if we went down to just two coaches (hence my comments in the video about running shorter trains) so it really was just that 3rd coach that made the load too much. Thanks for watching 😃
Hi there. I'm not a TT modeller, but I am a fan of your channel, and most, if not all, of the techniques you are demonstrating are applicable to building any layout.
I have to say if I was starting from scratch right now, I would seriously consider TT120 as my gauge of choice.
Thanks for the infortainment.
Absolutely! Everything can always be adapted to suit any scale or even an individual layout.
TT definitely has a lot of advantages for those just getting started and who might not necessarily want the biggest or most cohesive loco collection but it's certainly not going to over throw 00 or even N any time soon. Thanks for watching 😃
Gradients have always scared me a bit, but you've certainly made the processes look easy here!
To be honest they scare me too. This was a crucial part of the build and it wasn't worth cutting corners if it just caused endless problems in the future so the polystyrene inclines and Power Base have made life a lot easier in that regards. Thanks for watching 🤩
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy well you definitely nailed it.
Another trick for curved inclines: if you can fit a wider radius curve on the same incline base you get a double win, by reducing both the gradient and the friction from the curve.
It's why a double helix should always climb clockwise for UK/AU or anti-clockwise for US/Europe if possible. The inner track is noticeably steeper.
Obviously a wider radius and a shallower incline are always going to be preferable. In this instance though moving the line to the outer edge of the incline base wouldn't make any noticeable difference as there's only about a centimetre of extra room. In 00 gauge this wouldn't be an option at all since the track is wider. Thanks for watching 👍
Another great video, thanks ❤. I’m thinking of getting a Mallard, will I need the power base to stop it from flying off the track? 😉😂
Haha! If you're running it at normal speeds on standard curves and flat track you should be fine. It's really only for the inclines it's needed - even then some models like the HST are heavy enough that they don't need the magnets. Thanks for watching 🤩
Not a modeller but quite like watching the videos following a heart attack (genetic, not couch potato). So many of you use gym weights for pressing down the glue. Do you actually use the weights as training equipment? Similarly, both my daughter's gardens had rusty weights that someone must have bought and never used or used to weigh down something in the gardens. How much gym equipment gets bought and never used? I have kettle weights and have used them a lot for workouts. A cheap static bike our son left in London would be useless for me as a a gym item on its own but, 10 minute blast, hop off and swing kettles or do some press-ups or plank then back on bike works very well. I did use the kettle weights for DiY last week to flatten a warped table top my daughter wanted renovating but it seemed a crime against health to do it.
If I did railway modelling, TT120 is what I'd do. Perfect size for aged eyes & limited space. But the 7 * 3 metre outbuilding is full of construction, garden, and BBQ gear - and the family and friends have ongoing requests for projects
Glad to hear you've been enjoying the videos, although I'm not sure it matters much what people use weights for. For what it's worth, mine are left over from when I was in a more physically active job but I'm certainly not going to judge anyone who uses weights as a tool. Thanks for watching 👍
I do love the magnet system. Very clever. How many carriages can the A3 actually pull. I have a 7.5x5.5 design with inclines and I was hoping for 8 passenger cars and similar length for freight trains. Average inclines are 2% with one at 3% but that is downhill into the shadow station
I was able to get the A3 and A4 to do 2 carriages on this incline before I added the magnets. I haven't tried out the max load using the power base yet but I was considering doing a video where I put the various TT locomotives to the test. Thanks for watching 😃
Thanks Bob T
Hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching 😃
The power base idea is a nice rework of the old Tri-ang Hornby Magnadhesion system from 60/70’s. The magnet was built into the chassis and acted on the steel rails in the track. Modern track is nickel silver so not magnetic. Are there any issues with magnetic couplings with the power base system? IE the couplings being attracted to the steel plates?
Yes it's the same basic premise but very much streamlined for the hobby in the modern day. I haven't tested out any magnetic couplings yet but I would think, with magnetic field being lateral in that instance, that they wouldn't be affected too much if at all.
The magnets under the locos only pull the chassis down a little bit, it's not like the loco is stuck to railhead so it really is just a little extra grip. Thanks for watching 😃
Love the way this is shaping up, are you going to add a turntable or some description on the upper level to turn the locos for departing trains? Or is it a run round the reversing loop for them?
There's no space on the upper level for a turntable so locos will either tender first or (in the case of the A3 and A4 which don't have a front coupling) they'll run back round the loop to reset their direction. Fitting that in around the other operating trains is all part of the fun. Thanks for watching 😃
Nice video yet again. I did notice that you’ve provided the link for the DCC concepts power base but for N gauge , not the 00 gauge kit.
Yes that's right, I found the N gauge one a better size for working with TT track rather than the 00 gauge one. I was also mildly worried that the magnets might be too thick in the 00 gauge kit. Thanks for watching 😃
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy Thankyou, handy tip there. I’m doing my layout in 00 gauge so the n gauge power base will be good for my layout too.
Loving this series. Can I ask where you got the laser cut supports for the upper level from?
Hiya, I laser cut them myself but they are very much overkill. Blocks of wood cut to the same height would work just as well. Thanks for watching 😃
No traction tires needed.
Nope! You can see why they're more popular on the continent though with multiple levels often being used on European layouts. Thanks for watching 😃
This is worrying. It looks like you're on a 8ft x 4ft board like me. I'm planning a raised station with an access ramp just like yours. I'm not sure yet what clearance I'll need under the raised station but I was thinking a 2% gradient would be OK, but maybe not. I've noticed that my William Whitelaw gives some wheel spin on the level when starting off slowly with just the standard 3 coaches. As I wouldn't want to be fixing magnets on the underside of my engine some careful planning and experimentation will be required I think. Thanks for this video, very helpful.
Hi Mark, not quite - this is an 8ft x 2.5ft board so a fair bit smaller on the depth which both shortens the run up to the upper level (requiring the 3% grade in this instance) and also tightens the curve which will have a huge impact. An incline on a straight is much easier for a loco to handle.
I'd recommend doing a lot of testing before fixing anything down and if you've got space for a 2% grade definitely go with that! It's worth noting as well that the A4 and A3 in particular are quite light but the new HST and Class 50 don't need the magnets as they've got a lot of weight to them.
Hope that helps and thanks for becoming a Member 🤩
Fitting magnets under locos is a solution but many locos simply do not have sufficient space.
Between the wheels is usually flat. That’s where the micro magnets are designed to go. Thanks for watching 👍
The more things change the more they stay the same, those power base things are very similar to the "mange-traction" the Lionel company started offering on its model trains in the 1950s.
In the UK we also had "magnadhesion" which was a similar concept too. Thanks for watching 👍
Looks really nice so far. Well done. :)
Thanks! It's starting to look more like the original design now that we have the upper level installed! Thanks for watching 🤩
Which vlog shows the multi Switch
RKtoggle8 setup. ?
Thanks
I've never done a dedicated video on it but it did feature in my 009 layout build here: czcams.com/video/6u3KhrZtVpk/video.html Thanks for watching 👍
I have a layout full of inclines the most important aspect to me of an incline is the top and bottom transition curves. The main incline is just a flat plank with different height ends. I build my transitions over 300mm but i extend them to 500mm so i can screw down onto the flat baseboard the 100mm overlap and the sloping "plank". At the top the same occurs. What i achieve is a smooth curve transition with no slight kinks that can look unnatural and do not reduce wheel friction which on inclines is very important. Your video does not seem to cover transitions nor inclines of different heights. I am lucky i do have space
With the Woodland Scenics inclines you don't really need to worry about the transition because it's such a consistent grade already. You can see the first sections are almost paper thin where up the top I used the bridge to level everything out smoothly with the cork. This is also helped further by having the power base continue under the track on the level as shown in the video.
While building your own inclines is absolutely a valid way of doing it, for anyone building their first incline I would highly recommend going with these pre-made sections initially as they makes things really simple. They help you get a handle on the basics before trying out more advanced techniques. Thanks for watching 👍
If you need to get to track underneath the top station, to clean it for example, how are going to do it?
The sides and back of the upper level are open so it's pretty easy to get a track rubber in and clean it if needed. There are also access holes cut into the top as well (which will have removable scenery on them) so we can get to things in an emergency - for example if something derails. Thanks for watching 😃
Where did you order those plates magnetic plates if I don’t don’t mind me asking I’d like to use those for my HO scale
All the links to everything I used in the video are listed in the description. Thanks for watching 😃
the wire piano uncoupler have you got a film on it Please
I haven’t done a dedicated video on it (yet!) but both Episode 3 and 5 cover the process in more detail. Thanks for watching 😃
I've just become a cleaner member and it says early access to vids but it wont let me watch this one
Hiya, so once the episode is setup for the public premiere CZcams locks it for everyone unfortunately. The good news is that you’ll get episode 5 tomorrow around the same time this episode is released (and early access to other videos throughout the month too). Hope that’s ok and thanks for becoming a Member 🤩
@@ThatModelRailwayGuy k thanks
Always wondered how to get a successful gradient on a layout. These woodland scenics inclines look easy to install and work with.
The DCC concepts powerbase system is also another amazing idea for gaining extra grip for all gauges of model locomotives.
Yeah using these incline sections is definitely the easiest way in my opinion. Getting a smooth consistent gradient could be quite a challenge but this takes all the guessing out of it and the power base is really handy for allowing the trains up those steep inclines too. Thanks for watching 😃
15:37 the balloon loop track is wonky wibbly and badly laid
Looking forward to your own series where you do it better.
@Thatmodelrailwayguy I sent you an email but I noted the website says better off trying the comments of YT! Great video btw!
No problem, I'll keep an eye out. It just make take me a while to get round to it. Thanks for watching 👍
Hello! Would you mind if we shared your video? It's a great example of how PowerBase can be used with TT model railways! ^RB @DCCconcepts
Hi Richard, absolutely! Please feel free to share it as much as you like, that's what the video is for after all 👍