Topic: Clonehead's dioramas

[Clonehead]

Like engineers ideas that I have to fiddle with in the field at work, I can see my concept for getting the beast in place as probable but not possible until properly applied. Or, I’ll cross my fingers.
  The amount of work I’ll have to perform after it’s moved is piling up bit by bit so I need to hurry and get it moved so I can get started.

[hemble]

That is looking amazing Clint.

Ron

[FialaFernbrugg]

The racetrack  keeps getting better and better.
I love all the small details and the vegetation.
Excellent work my friend.

[Tamer]

This is where I wish I lived closer to help you move this. Talk about a fun time.

[Clonehead]

I would love the help
We wouldn’t get anything done.
Got a couple single lane extensions on order after they were unavailable for months and I think I need two more.
I have most of the expansion components assembled but these and the straight shoulder pieces have become hard to find this year. I think more people embraced my new hobby last year than was expected. Good for them, this stuff rocks.
   

[Tamer]

We might get something done. Well maybe.

[Clonehead]

So it was a busy year from then on for me and I never got enough time to properly approach this until now.
    Finally got a break from work and I’m at it again.
I have been framing out the parimeter walls of my basement and I was getting close to needing to move the track to continue so, last week, I moved the track twice and finally settled on a home spot for it.
   I got to thinking that although I had an extra foot in the new spot, that I would extend the table by 3 ft instead of 4 to try to give walking room around either end. There were a couple of elements I wanted to add that required some length to incorporate. Specific track sections and configurations such as a longer pit lane with two separate working fueling areas and a way to enter and exit one without disturbing the other “ so two drivers can pit at the same time, around each other in the same pit lane.”
  So, I had strengthened up the lower part of the once multi sectioned table, got it moved, and put together a 3 foot addition to the table and attached it on the high banked curve end. Once covered with 3 layers of 3-4” foam to deaden sound and allow for digging down later, I chose and added 3 more feet to each of the 4 runs in my switchbacked course. 12 Linear  feet!
Pictures are forthcoming, hopefully
Been troubleshooting with lights to get things all working post-move, some wiring systems to upgrade, and new elements to add.

[Clonehead]

The light troubleshooting went south on me and needs some more attention as we continue but here are a few shots. It’s hard to get far enough away to fit it in the frame from the side now, it’s so long. My 3 foot extension was still a bit short and I had to scab on a bit for the high banked curve. I had dropped the elevation on that end and had not planned for the extra linear space it would now take

About seventeen feet and five inches long now. The width is currently now four foot seven inches and should widen by another foot when phase 2 of the expansion comes.

[Clonehead]

Got the little monitor mounted above the far end to use the race app with but haven’t hooked it up yet. One of the additional amenities included with the length expansion was the longer pit lane with 2 separate fueling areas and ways to enter and exit either to exclude the other. That way, you don’t have to wait to pit hopefully.
I have a change to incorporate in one of the middle runs that will make it 3 lanes for a ways instead of two that I may tackle later tonight.

[Darth More]

Hey Clint, I've thought of you lately! I actually talked to FialaFernbrugg yesterday and we both agreed: You're missed on here! It's good to see you back. And your race track is just beyond limits! Man, would I love to accelerate on that one! Another awesome project of yours!

[hemble]

Yep totally agree, it's great to see you posting again buddy and I'm loving the race track.

Ron

[Tamer]

The Clonehead is back. Its great to see you posting bud.

Off to the front pages.

[Clonehead]

Hey Clint, I've thought of you lately! I actually talked to FialaFernbrugg yesterday and we both agreed: You're missed on here! It's good to see you back. And our race track is just beyond limits! Man, would I love to accelerate on that one! Another awesome project of yours!

thats why my ears have been itching lately, mr Darth More.
Nice to see your names as well, Ron, and Shawn!

I worked for a couple of hours last night changing a couple of things on the course.
Roundabout in the middle, I placed a check lane which will interact with the car chip’s electric eye, to give us split times now while using the phone app. 
   I installed some 5m factory carrera jumper cables putting fresh power and info to the middle of the track from the control unit. “ the increase in power and contact stability from this has been dynamic. I thought I was close to needing a variable power booster like a big trainset would but apparently not yet”
  I put a left to right switch close to the beginning of the long run to allow the driver in the outside lane the option of switching right twice to end up in the pit lane just short of the second pit. It’s a quick double switch but it could be pulled off with some practice to not overshoot the second fuel area. I can limit the number of pits allowed per driver and can make the pit lane count or not count as crossing the finish line so you keep your lap count.
   The bigger change, I don’t even think I took a pic of.
I had used some pieces to stretch the first inside run by another lane on the left side. The two transitions took 4 ft and you only had 2 foot of straightaway to run next to the other straight part with the double switch.
   While driving it, I realized that the six foot went by too quickly to make the extra lane very effective and the thrill of hat two lane straightaway plus the linear way that it looked made me want to change it back. Took a while and there was some cursing but now I’m excited that I can focus on some of the groundwork in the middle shortly after I do some more light work
  That pit lane is going to be a challenge to re light but it should be stunning when I’m done

[Tamer]

I bet you have every kid in the neighborhood waiting in line when you get home from work. Heck, I would pay admission to come race on this track a bit. I remember even being a younger adult going to a race track that wasn't this cool and spending way too much on a slot car that wasn't even half as good as what you are showing us.

[Clonehead]

I’m sure they are all scared of me. I can get grumbly at times. The grandkids love it when I let em down there. I was a little less in awe of the new track size and actually got something done last night. The miller six sign converter on the low curve end had gotten too hot at some point and failed on me so I replaced it with a new power supply that is supposed to power 10 and a nice plug in splitter board to tidy those wires up with. I have since shuffled the signs a bit on that end and added a couple more on that side going towards the high banked curve.
Pics are forthcoming.
   I do remember having an HO track set that I thought was cool when I was a kid.it didnt last long, as I remember.
   That set was interesting in that it didn’t have slots. Rather, the dual sets of power rails were inlaid flat on the track and with the flip of a switch, the drive motor would put power to either the left or right rear tire, still driving the car forward, sliding down the lip at the side of the lane, when switched, the car would roll across to the opposite lip and continue down that lane. Made for some interesting crashes.Way before digital, they had a pace car that would just hug the inside lane as it went around. The cars were pretty fast, I remember that.
   Pretty innovative technology for the time. This would have been in the 80s Tyco TCR was the line.