15/12/2025
We finally reassembled our previous HO scale loop layout in the work area of our new company.
This set of modules was originally designed with “easy transport and exhibition” in mind. Being able to rebuild it in a new environment is not just about putting the track back together – it is also a good chance to整理, adjust, and upgrade everything we’ve learned over the past period of time.
The first stage of work is to re-check and correct the overall track level and smoothness across the loop.
That includes alignment at module joints, fixing any height differences, and making sure the roadbed and sub-roadbed connect smoothly. If we want trains to run reliably for long periods, all these “tiny” details are actually the most critical foundation.
Next, the second stage is to rework the SmartSwitch system and the installation of the AP022 servo link mechanism.
From past exhibitions and demo sessions, we already gathered a lot of real-world experience. This time we will re-evaluate servo positions, linkage travel, spring tension, and mounting angles, so that the KATO turnouts switch slowly and smoothly, with quieter and more positive movement. This will build a more stable base for future computer control and multi-train operation.
Once the track condition and turnout control are tuned to where we want them, we will move to the third stage:
Re-testing and fine-tuning the loop decoder. This includes automatic shuttle movements, block changes, movements in and out of storage tracks, and multi-train meets and passes – all of this will be tested and optimized on this HO loop layout. For us, this loop is not just a “display layout”; it is a working platform dedicated to experiments, product testing, and teaching.
Many people ask us: “Why spend so much time on just one loop layout?”
For us, the real purpose of a model railway layout is not only to look good in photos or at an exhibition. It must also run reliably, support long-term testing, and provide a real operating environment where different control systems (such as SmartSwitch, AP022, various decoders, controllers, etc.) can be verified. Only by repeatedly testing in a realistic layout can we adjust our products to meet the requirements of ordinary hobbyists, clubs, and long-running exhibition layouts.
In the coming days, we will keep sharing the progress of this HO loop in our new work space, including:
– Practical tips for track and turnout installation
– Detailed examples of SmartSwitch + AP022 mounting in the layout
– Our settings and experiences when testing the loop decoder
– And later, records of operations if we connect it to computer control or to other Free-mo style modules
If you are interested in this kind of “portable, exhibition-ready, and also a serious test platform” layout concept, or if you want to know more about how SmartSwitch, AP022 and loop decoders are used in real layouts, feel free to discuss with us in the comments.
This HO loop is just the beginning. By continuously sharing our process, we hope more modellers can see that a model railway is not only for display – with careful planning and attention to detail, every operating session can become a real pleasure.
