Northfield Tramway

[Phil.P]

I'm thinking of moving to Deltang, the locoremote is a good system, it works well, the only down side is needing to look at the phone screen to adjust the speed.

What are users thoughts on the Deltang system, pros and cons, thanks?

David

Bear in mind that I used to make and sell Deltang transmitters and equipment, so I might be ever so slightly biased....

Pros

• Easy to use - just four wires to be connected - two to battery and two to motor
• The receivers are tiny so fit into even the smallest loco
• The level of control is amazing - slow crawl, gradual increase and decrease in speed
• Packed with features such as directional lighting, auto shuttle/station stop, servo control
• Programmable so outputs can be reconfigured and settings can be tailored
• The Tx22 can control up to 12 locos independently
• Tried and tested so plenty of people to ask to assist or advise

Cons

• The technology is now a bit dated - the first receivers and transmitters were developed seven or more years ago
• The equipment is now in short supply because of the difficulty in getting the chips it uses (though Andy at Micron is developing compatible systems to replace them)
• The range is limited to around 10- 20 metres. OK for small or medium sized gardens though
• Some of the receivers are limited to 13v supplies and 3A outputs - but there are higher rated receivers

There are probably more to be added to the lists, no doubt others will chip in

Rik

... And as I took over from Rik, I might be even more biased?

The 'Cons' have 'sort-of' gone away:

There is a new receiver/controller, which is 5-20V, 3A capable.

This is now being redesigned as the type 'c'. - There have been both an 'a' and two 'b' versions, mainly due to having to redesign the boards (and tweak the code) as the supply of processors waxes and wains.

'Watch this space' regarding Transmitters. - I can't say more, at the moment..

New designs, using new families of chips, and a commitment to continuing support.

(Did I say I might be biased?)

Phil.P

[Old Man Aaron]

Hard work laying bricks, but worth it in the end.

[DafyddElvy]

I picked up some secondhand peco track which is in good condition and purchased some Cliff Barker flexi track and components when I started looking at the garden tramway and it's options.

One of my construction challenges is height, the right hand side of the raised bed finished level is roughly 700mm, from their the garden falls away roughly another 0.8m-0.9m, even with a 1:100 gradient over 3m height isn't on my side.

All my point work will be scratch built to Gauge 1 finescale tolerances, not ideal for some visitors but I'm working to "it's my tramway for my trams" principle. Sea Lion which is my only commercial built model runs through the indoor test track so I'm happy with that.

Domestic harmony dictates I need to stick to the fence line, so my pondering just now is how to have an elevated railway that doesn't look like a tramway running on a shelf

[DafyddElvy]

Hard work laying bricks, but worth it in the end.

You're not wrong, one lesson I have learnt is that I will be completing the remainder of the block work first, I started laying the bricks first because I knew the position of the front edge, now the front edge has been established I'll be completing the heavier blockwork before laying the remaining lighter brick coarses, leaving the lighter work to last. I'll also not be mixing a 12 shovels of sand mix again, that was hard work.

Track base within the raised bed will follow a similar design of a wee railway I visited while in Brisbane. Thinking of the railway in Brisbane, I need to think about somewhere for an outdoor fridge to keep refreshments cool

[ge_rik]

• There is a new receiver/controller, which is 5-20V, 3A capable.
• This is now being redesigned as the type 'c'. - There have been both an 'a' and two 'b' versions, mainly due to having to redesign the boards (and tweak the code) as the supply of processors waxes and wains.
• 'Watch this space' regarding Transmitters. - I can't say more, at the moment..
• New designs, using new families of chips, and a commitment to continuing support.

That all sounds very exciting and intriguing, Phil. Looking forward to seeing what develops.

Rik

[DafyddElvy]

Another wee update, a friend who is a whiz with templot has been busy again for me.

One of my challenges has been that opposite the raised bed I must retain an area for a wee table, and the side access gate needs to be retained because the various wheelie bins WILL NOT (wife speaking sternly) be stored in front of the house. This has meant only the inner loop and a wee straight section of the outer loop will actually be permanently located on the raised bed, the remainder of the outer arc will need to sit on a removable bridge, which I have a cunning plan for.

What this plan most importantly for me does, is tell me where the track bed will be so I can set it out for the concrete track base, it also gives me templates for the turnout construction knowing all should fit so long as I stick with the single plan, having this track plan also means work doesn't stop for rain.

What I don't have, and need to make if I cannae borrow, is a track bender to form nice even curves.

[DafyddElvy]

Lots of sweary words, thank goodness that's the raised bed cum return loop and steaming siding back filling complete, some flaming job it was shifting all that fill material by myself.
I left the final coarse of bricks off, one so I didn't damage the top line of bricks, but mainly because it meant I didn't need to humph the wheelbarrow up the extra height, I'll not miss the work that has gone in to this part of the line.
My wife took a video of me emptying the last barrow of fill material, but I cannae share it with sound.

Now I just need to install the shuttering and cast the track bed.

[ge_rik]

Lots of sweary words, thank goodness that's the raised bed cum return loop and steaming siding back filling complete, some flaming job it was shifting all that fill material by myself.
I left the final coarse of bricks off, one so I didn't damage the top line of bricks, but mainly because it meant I didn't need to humph the wheelbarrow up the extra height, I'll not miss the work that has gone in to this part of the line.
My wife took a video of me emptying the last barrow of fill material, but I cannae share it with sound.

Now I just need to install the shuttering and cast the track bed.

You paint a vivid picture. Having made raised beds I can empathise ...

Rik

[Phil.P]

I would drive in some metal spikes, dexion, whatever you have, and cast with that in the bed. - Your fill will settle!

Phil.P

[Old Man Aaron]

Looks great!

[DafyddElvy]

I would drive in some metal spikes, dexion, whatever you have, and cast with that in the bed. - Your fill will settle!

Phil.P

Do you know what, that is very good advice (not sarcasm) I'm getting some 10mm rebar to cast in the concrete base, I'll get a little extra and drive that in to the ground, thanks.

I presently have a domestic ban on progressing things, apparently, just because I have pain meds for torn tendons in my elbow, doesn't mean I can crack on with things because it doesn't hurt, they're good pain meds too he he.

[DafyddElvy]

Spent the weekend distracted acclimatising a new puppy to the house and garden, so basically he-haw achieved on the garden tramway front, other than laying some track where the concrete track base needs to be poured and having a couple of test runs with the trams.

[philipy]

Glad I'm not one of your paying customers!

Lovely smooth running though. I've thought more than once that I could get interested in a tram layout, so kindly stop teasing!!

[DafyddElvy]

Glad I'm not one of your paying customers!

Lovely smooth running though. I've thought more than once that I could get interested in a tram layout, so kindly stop teasing!!

Philipy,

I make no apology for saying promoting finescale tramway modelling in the larger scale will continue, all I can say is suck it up and give in to tramway temptation, if you feel tempted then you are only delaying the inevitable

I would like to think the 4 point sprung truck contributed to the models ability to keep all 4 wheels on the track, for me it was a good test of track holding on poor track, I am now much happier fitting replacement trucks was definitely the right thing to do.

[Phil.P]

I am an expert in track geometry like that!


Phil.P