Small B-Train Layout

[kami_illy]

Hey guys

 

So far I've been more of a collector than a modeler. But now, after collecting quite some B-Trains it is time to give them a playground.

 

 

Until now i put a temporary table top layout. Being inspired by this awesome layout by nick i am starting to plan and hopefully build a permanent layout for B-Trains. 

 

So far i came up with this:

 

 

What do you think?

[kvp]

It looks like a nice Kato unitrack setup. The only thing to watch for are the grades as btrains aren't much better in ramp climbing than most scale models. I assume the platform lengths are enough for your trains.

[JR 500系]

Nice! I like the line up photo, impressive!

[kami_illy]

Thanks guys. Yes, the plan is based on the unitrack 150 /183 compact curves. 

@kvp: I checked the grades (professionally with some legos ;) ) and it seems to work. The clearance under the overpass will be about 5cm which means the loop will lift 1,5cm in the curve and the branch line has to decline 3,5cm...

 

 

 

The trains seem able to deal with that though starting a long train on the slope might not work (the 7 car hokutosei / cassiopeia with just the motorized loco pulling). 

The platform will be kit bashed from two No.4 platform ends and a roof. This will be enough to barely fit an 8-car shinkansen or sleeper train (assuming the drivers don't want to get on or off the train. Maybe i will give them a little service platform on the outer side to do so)

 

 

 

Since it will take some time until i can start to actually build the layout, i was "checking" the plans in 3D... 

 

 

I am kind of happy with the city part. The rural part needs some more work and i feel the little shrine in the back needs something to not get lost there. On the other hand i like the contrast between the compact build modern area and the little fragile relict from the past. 

 

 

Edited August 20, 2016 by kami_illy

[kami_illy]

This whole 3D building is great. I see it as a good tool to get an idea of the whole thing before you invest in structures you might not need in the end.

I was getting into some kind of 3D-mania for a moment and started to check the option of including a subway circle to the whole thing. The way i tried it now will need another module to make any sense for running operations but seems to be a lot of fun. 

 

   

 

Not sure about this though.

Another thought was to connect the underground loop with the branches and use it as the connection between the two upper loops. Or having three individual loops with the possibility of connecting to another module via branches... so many choices.

[toc36]

Kami,

 

What software are you using for your 3D renditions?

 

Is it easy to use?  

 

Thanks,
Mark

[kami_illy]

i am using SketchUp. It originates from the modeling of the 3D-view in google earth.

It is fairly easy to use. Once you grasp the logic of the tools you can develop your skills pretty fast. But since it is a free program, there are some limitations though. Or you pay for the pro-version with advanced data-handling, rendering machines and so on. But with the free one you should be able to do almost anything you need. 

Really interesting is the access to a big mainly free library where you can find models of buildings, cars, trains, people, etc... 

[kami_illy]

Despite a lot of work and having a toddler at home i managed to go a bit further with my layout. 

 

i studied the possibility of adding another brach line from the outer loop. And connect the branch of the inner loop with the subway lines. This way i could connect both loops to another module later and transfer from subway to surface operation (like the toyoko and so).  

 

 

 

Now the whole thing seems to get a bit complex. Maybe i should stick to the original concept and add up some scenery. The possible operations are a bit compromised though.

 

 

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[cteno4]

Kami,

 

Do you have any track? If so mock this up with the track and just mock up buildings (or plunk down any you have) is and scenery with taped up cardboard boxes and crumpled paper. You will be surprised how much playing with the actual thing will help clear your head some and maybe refocus you on what you find most interesting and fun or find some new ideas and solutions.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[kami_illy]

Hi Jeff, 

 

yeah. i have some track, did some mock up already.

 

 

Thats when i discovered that the trains can enter the loop normally but have to back up for leaving the loop. For EMUs and so on this is ok. With loco hauled trains that is another story... 

 

I am tending to pursue the bigger version. Then i would have the outer loop to be entered and left on separate sidings. The inner loop ist connected to the subway loop.

 

The question now is if i go for the more complicated 'full' version or maybe stay simple for learning by trail-and-error.. 

I guess, in the end family life, money and time will decide on that.

 

[cteno4]

Kami,

 

Hey great, that's good as once playing with the trains you notice those practical things that may not show up in the cad! Also just plain crankiness at times with the trains,miracle configurations, etc.

 

Maybe add some track and see how long until it feels right, then redistribute from there?

 

Time and money are always a factor! But being happy with the path you get on is important too for the investments you will put into the layout. Luckily you are small enough to at least get a feeling for things playing some like this compared to a big layout!

 

Keep fiddling and running trains to get honed in on what you really like to do and works best with the btrains.

 

Cheers

 

Jeff

[kami_illy]

It's been some days since my last post. Time has been busy with work, travels and family. I didn't get to go much forward with building anything but i decided for a track plan. I won't be doing the underground lines. It's too much work for now. I will include another side track though. 

 

Here are some updated images of the 3D-modell.

 

 

[kami_illy]

[kami_illy]

little progress:

 

 

[Martijn Meerts]

Really nice with the 3D renderings like that :D

[Bernard]

kami_illy you have done a lot of designing and planning on your layout.....you're ready to go!

[nickhp]

Are the buildings to the dimensions of actual tomix/kato buildings?  The biggest issue with urban layouts I have found to be having the cramped feeling of buildings like the prototype while using off-the-shelf buildings. 

 

Regards,

 

Nick

[kami_illy]

Thanks for the support guys. 

 

Indeed, now its time to get it done... Some little more tests with the incline issue and then..!

 

 

Are the buildings to the dimensions of actual tomix/kato buildings?  The biggest issue with urban layouts I have found to be having the cramped feeling of buildings like the prototype while using off-the-shelf buildings. 

 

Regards,

 

Nick

 

I took some care of getting the dimensions as correct as possible. Since i didn't buy any of the buildings yet, i had to get the size and infos form the web. There is of course some room for error since most of the spec sheets or infos are a bit rough (they don't say if the height includes the roof topping / bill boards.. or if the size is the actual footprint of the building or the base plate). 

 

But the dimensions shouldn't be much off, i hope. 

One of the next steps is to buy some of the buildings and see how good the 3D model really is ;)

 

Updates soon, and Nick; congrats on your layouts. As I said before your first b-train layout was what inspired me to plan/build my own.  :icon_thumright:

[kami_illy]

I just realized that i didn't post anything in months... time is flying by! 

To be honest, there is not much progress on the project either. I added some small details on the 3-d model but thats it. 

 

 

Also I tried to shoot another line up of my trains since the collection grew over the time of this thread. 

 

 

I think this is the last time i can manage to squeeze all trains in one photo. The next 8-car Shinkansen is already on its way, hehe. 

[kami_illy]

still no analog version of this layout... and only detailing or minor changes done on the digital model. 

 

What do you guys think of the road markings? For me they make sense and have that Japanese feel, but please feel free to tell me if there should be essential mistakes!

 

 

[kami_illy]

But my collection of b-trains is growing (though at a low pace thanks to the inactivity of Bandai)...: 

 

 

 

 

 

[kami_illy]

and a little special friend (work in progress): 

 

 

the Tokyo "Green Frog" outside Shibuya station with the decorations it had in 2014. 

[kami_illy]

So, i am currently sick at home and have some time to "play" 

 

Since i got a bit stuck with this layout i needed to put the tracks and run some trains for motivation. Also it gave me the chance to print a part of the digital model and put some simple make shift buildings to see if it checks out.  So far i am pretty satisfied.

 

 

[kami_illy]

[kami_illy]

But the bus terminal is not working like that. Even for city buses it is way too tight and the poor highway busses have no chance at all to enter/leave...

 

 

So i changed it to that, lets see if this is working out..! Also i softened some of the corners.

 

 

Edited May 20, 2019 by kami_illy