Dingshiden Railways Tram Troubleshooting

[bill937ca]

A channel I found focusing mainly on trams from various sources.  The modeler seems to be in Hong Kong.

 

His You Tube channel is a mix of Tomytec, Model Power, Bachmann, Modemo, Arnold and Kato trams.

https://www.youtube.com/@dingshidenrailways/videos

 

It is a very good example of how to do a N scale tram layout with what's available on the market. The layout looks like some Unitram straights and curves  with some Tomix Wide Tram stone track also.  Lots of details like guard rails, road fences, tram stops and lots of figures.  I find some of his scenery almost fluorescent.

 

He has repowered some very troublesome Model Power and Bachmann models and gives specific repower choices which is the real value of these videos.   Model Power TRC single truckers upgraded from the old Model Power unit to a Kato Pocket Line Power Unit and runs  very in the video.  Looks like it is decorated with Hong Kong style

 

It is remarkable how he repowers trams that many of us have, but simply are poor runners.  The numerous short stock track sections allow him to use both Unitram and Tomix tram track with the 20-045 connector.

 

 

Bachmann PCC Trolley by using Tomytec TR-04 tram power chassi.  A Ferrari PCC! and a air conditioned Bachmann Philly PCC.  I may have to dig out my two Bachmann PCCs and use my Tomytec TR-04 drives. 

 

 

 

Praha Tram Tatra T3 & Leipzig Tram Tatra T4 Model 

 

The Brill semi-convertible sounds like it is original.

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by bill937ca

[brill27mcb]

These are fun to watch. I'd like to see an overall view or plan of the layout!

 

Rich K.

[bill937ca]

I found another repower of a Modemo Hakodate Shiden 1000 with a Tomytec TMR04.  This is a very early Modemo, NT10. My notes tell me this is a release from August 2000. Probably picked up in a hobby shop junk bin and brought back to life. Remarkable!

 

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10016131

 

 

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by bill937ca

[bill937ca]

2 hours ago, brill27mcb said:

These are fun to watch. I'd like to see an overall view or plan of the layout!

 

Rich K.

I'm looking for it.

 

In the  meantime I found his Instagram account.    https://www.instagram.com/DINGSHIDEN/

 

EDIT:  There is an overall layout view from one end. It is a long very narrow layout with an almost invisible elevated line. Here is a link to an Instagram photo.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQbB5sPJrkk/

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by bill937ca

[bill937ca]

This video gives you some idea of the track.  It starts with Tomix stone pavement, then Tomix asphalt track around a curve. He uses fences to hide the underside of the tram track. Then there is a section of Unitram with the telltale center holes, a Kato mini 45-degree turnout, more Tomix tram track and back to back 45 degree Kato mini turnouts.  There is a double track curve at one end and perhaps a single track curve at the other end.  There is at least one reverse loop.

 

 

EDIT: Maybe he has two layouts one Tomix and one Unitram. But he does like to disguise his Wide Tram Track like Unitram with the center poles and median strip.  I can see the seem between the two Tomix track pieces in places.  Anyway it is very well done.

Edited January 8, 2023 by bill937ca

[bill937ca]

Photos galore on his Facebook page.   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069174440297

 

It appears he runs a store in Hong Kong (probably groceries or something) like that and has a hobby shop on the side. It appears to be strictly pickup only.  

[brill27mcb]

Remember that the Tomix street kits for "paving" track came with some straight median curbing with overhead bracket/streetlight poles. It's a good way to help disguise the much-too-wide 37mm spacing between parallel Tomix tracks.

 

There are a few items on his store shelves that I would like to buy! I do like the look of his layout, and wonder if some of the Hong Kong-looking buildings on it are commercially available over there. I'm glad I got to purchase a good number of unpowered 1/150 Hong Kong trams from the 80M Bus Model Shop store before they went unavailable.

 

Rich K.

[Aleks]

Awesome layout(s)! Seems like a good stop to make when hopefully one day visiting Hong Kong.

 

Looks like he laid out the layout to run either left or right hand traffic depending on the models operating today. It also looks like this is a DC operation since when he runs two trams, they seem to follow at the same speed.

[bill937ca]

Well, this has got me working on another layout. Today, I cut the foamboard for a new Unitram oval.  I took the body of both of my Bachmann PCCs and one will be fitted with a Tomytec TR-04 power chassis. i  also won a Model Power Public Service set on eBay.

 

Edited January 10, 2023 by bill937ca

[Tonytramman]

I find myself re watching his YouTube videos, currently re working my humble set up.

tony

[bill937ca]

3 hours ago, Tonytramman said:

I find myself re watching his YouTube videos, currently re working my humble set up.

tony

You are not the only one, Tony. So much inspiration!

[bill937ca]

So I am beginning to collect some of elements I see in these videos. All of these I have on hand.

 

Sidewalks and Road Fences  Greenmax 2542 (https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10511925) and 2138 (https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10175001)

Tomix 3021 Fences & Hoardings (https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10010045)

Kato 2313  DioTown Guardrails and Road Fences (https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10028407)

 

I also like the road blocks shown along his Unitram track. The only source I see at an reasonable cost is Outland Models.

 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/393535151795?hash=item5ba085deb3:g:FOIAAOSwzN5hKJBo

Edited January 13, 2023 by disturbman
reformated for mobile devices

[Tonytramman]

Bill,

we look forward to seeing the results...

tony 

[bill937ca]

On 1/8/2023 at 5:39 PM, brill27mcb said:

There are a few items on his store shelves that I would like to buy! I do like the look of his layout, and wonder if some of the Hong Kong-looking buildings on it are commercially available over there. I'm glad I got to purchase a good number of unpowered 1/150 Hong Kong trams from the 80M Bus Model Shop store before they went unavailable.

Here are a couple of examples of the Hong Kong tenements as sold on Carrousell

https://www.carousell.com.hk/p/香港-唐樓-舊建築-n比例模型-第三款-1177726488/?t-id=C0YYBlhFIC_1673650950759&t-referrer_request_id=3J_A24-lANumVLTg&t-tap_index=241

 

https://www.carousell.com.hk/p/香港-唐樓-舊建築-n比例模型-第一款-鐵路場景-1177726033/?t-id=C0YYBlhFIC_1673650950759&t-referrer_request_id=3J_A24-lANumVLTg&t-tap_index=243

 

https://www.carousell.com.hk/p/香港-唐樓-舊建築-n比例模型-第二款-鐵路場景-1177726324/?t-id=C0YYBlhFIC_1673650950759&t-referrer_request_id=3J_A24-lANumVLTg&t-tap_index=242

[bill937ca]

I've worked out a plan for that loop around the circular building and the crossover that allows right hand or left hand running.

 

Here is a listing of pieces. I think I have all of them! This is stock rail by the way.

 

1099A (S33), N Tomix Fine Track, Straight 33mm.                                       1
1099B (S18.5), N Tomix Fine Track, Straight 18.5mm.                                   2
1111A (C103-30), N Tomix Fine Track, Curve radius 103mm, angle 30º        1
1111B (C103-60), N Tomix Fine Track, Curve radius 103mm, angle 60º        2
1112A (C140-30), N Tomix Fine Track, Curve radius 140mm, angle 30º        1
1112B (C140-60), N Tomix Fine Track, Curve radius 140mm, angle 60º        1
1113A (C177-30), N Tomix Fine Track, Curve radius 177mm, angle 30º        2
1113B (C177-60), N Tomix Fine Track, Curve radius 177mm, angle 60º        2
1231 (N-PR140-30), N Tomix Fine Track, Right turnout 70mm. (remote)       2
1232 (N-PL140-30), N Tomix Fine Track, Left turnout 70mm. (remote)        2
1321 (X72.5-30), N Tomix Fine Track, Crossing 72.5mm. 30º                        1
1423 (E), N Tomix Fine Track, Buffer/Bumper 46mm. E LED                          1
1528 (V70-WP), N Tomix Fine Track, Straight extendable 70mm-90mm.      1
1801 (S140), N Tomix Fine Track, Straight (1021) 140mm.                             5
1803 (S72.5), N Tomix Fine Track, Straight (1023) 72.5mm.                          1
1804 (S70), N Tomix Fine Track, Straight (1024) 70mm.                               2
1805 (S99), N Tomix Fine Track, Straight (1025) 99mm.                              1
 

[bill937ca]

It looks like you could connect Unitram, Tomix stock rail and Tomei Wide Tram even with the varying track centers.  just a bit of wiggle romp and maybe  a 18.5mm stock track spacer and it might work. it is the Kato 40-021 that makes that work.

 

Anyrail has a hard time with the tiny differences between different Tomix track pieces.  I find sometimes that the really small pieces aren't needed when I build the layout. The reality of the layout can't be duplicated on Anyrail then. Just a matter of tolerances. For most track plans Anrail is a very good choice and I can accept these tolerances.

Edited January 15, 2023 by bill937ca

[Tonytramman]

looking good, don't forget the tricky wiring on that reverse loop! You will need an isolating section I believe. I tried one recently with the kato track and gave up! it is doable but I just thought the hassle wasn't worth it. 

tony

[bill937ca]

3 hours ago, Tonytramman said:

looking good, don't forget the tricky wiring on that reverse loop! You will need an isolating section I believe. I tried one recently with the kato track and gave up! it is doable but I just thought the hassle wasn't worth it. 

tony

I'm just trying to figure out what he has done.  The varying track centers (25, 33, 37) and rail profiles seem to make this hard to do.  I realized last night I have never seen an Unitram curve in all the videos I have watched. I think he only has a  short straight section of Unitram..

Edited January 16, 2023 by bill937ca

[Tonytramman]

looking at the Tetra video there looks like some curve that could be Unitrack curves

[bill937ca]

This morning I stumbled upon source of some of the old decals used on the trams. These are old Lesney Matchbox decals from the Yesteryear Y-3 tram (for The News of the World) and Routemaster London bus (for The Baron of Beef). The decals themselves are available on eBay.

 

https://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk/1index/xx5d.htm

Edited January 16, 2023 by bill937ca

[Aleks]

14 hours ago, Tonytramman said:

looking good, don't forget the tricky wiring on that reverse loop! You will need an isolating section I believe. I tried one recently with the kato track and gave up! it is doable but I just thought the hassle wasn't worth it. 

tony

 

I think if you use train-type wiring (e.g. parallel tracks all have the left rail as "minus" and the right rail as "plus"), you can just make the loop itself the reversing block. If you use two-track tram line wiring (i.e. left rail "minus" and right rail "plus" is determined by the direction of travel), probably need to make two reverse blocks? - one on the loop, and one on one of the tracks to the right of the diagram. Effectively convert this segment into train-type wiring.

Edited January 17, 2023 by Aleks

[Aleks]

On 1/15/2023 at 7:29 AM, bill937ca said:

It looks like you could connect Unitram, Tomix stock rail and Tomei Wide Tram even with the varying track centers.  just a bit of wiggle romp and maybe  a 18.5mm stock track spacer and it might work. it is the Kato 40-021 that makes that work.

 

Anyrail has a hard time with the tiny differences between different Tomix track pieces.  I find sometimes that the really small pieces aren't needed when I build the layout. The reality of the layout can't be duplicated on Anyrail then. Just a matter of tolerances. For most track plans Anrail is a very good choice and I can accept these tolerances.

 

I can't remember if I learned this trick from you or someone else, but when I turn off "Autoconnect" in AnyRail, with some hand manipulation I can make parts with these slight gaps eventually connect. Have not yet had one gap that I was not able to connect, although sometimes this may end up being one of the neighboring parts instead. Like below (note I replaced a couple parts).

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by Aleks

[Tonytramman]

on a related note, had a duh moment last night, was adding a small siding on my tram depot and could not get the two sections to join, realised needed a slightly longer short, straight! good old Kato, thought of every thing. good job i had one in the track box.