Frequently Asked Questions

The Nelevator has been designed to take Peco Flexitrack code 55 for the N gauge version and Peco code 75, code 100, EM, P4 and S4 track for the OO gauge version. Unfortunately however, this is not easy to change to accept alternative tracks as different custom aluminium extrusions would have to be produced, at further expense. Furthermore, introducing different track dimensions into the equation other than those the Nelevator was designed for may introduce alignment issues into the system.

However, the Nelevator should be able to slot into any system that uses the same gauge track on the layout, all that should be required is to shim the track or the Nelevator so that the top levels of the tracks match.

The problem with an O gauge version is that the heavier engineering involved would necessitate different mechanics and a more powerful electronic control system, i.e. a major redesign for a potentially much smaller market.

As such, we have no immediate plans for an O gauge system, however it certainly does remain at the back of our minds.

We are focusing all of our efforts on the N and OO versions before we turn our attentions elsewhere, so please keep an eye on our website or signup for our newsletter to keep up to date with developments; who knows what the future will bring.

Not specifically, but as HO uses the same gauge track as OO and we have OO versions of the Nelevator we essentially support HO via the OO units.

A Paternoster solution would undoubtedly have allowed flexibility to have exit portals in any position and indeed the assembly could be mounted either below or above the baseboard, and would be half the overall height of the Nelevator. Convincing arguments indeed!

The reasons we decided not to go down this route however were:

1. We really wanted two independent running lines (up and down lines). A single paternoster would have dependant running lines which would create frustrating operation. We could have two independent paternosters side by side but then the width of the device would double.
2. Complexity of alignment. A paternoster design is inherently an articulated system meaning that there would be a cumulative tolerance error between every track level created by the hinge point and the individual carriage components. Our solution has one precision component vertically aligning all tracks. KIS (keep it simple!)
3. We were worried about the stability of N Gauge locos managing the transition around top and bottom. I’m sure we could have solved this as “it’s only engineering“, but there are always cost implications.

The simple answer is yes.

However, the Nelevator was never designed to be wall mounted as such, but rather to sit in a slot cut out of the railway’s base board on its two side flanges so the entry/exit levels would be at the same level as the rest of the layout’s track. In this scenario half of the Nelevator is above the railway’s baseboard and half below it.

To mount close to (or on) a wall a special bracket arrangement would have to be constructed. The mounting flanges on the side of the Nelevator are 30 mm wide on each side. So realistically the Nelevator should be able to be mounted within 30 mm of a wall.

The only real problem with mounting the Nelevator so close to a wall would be gaining access to take the rear cover off should any major derailments occur, but access would still be available from the front and underneath.

If it’s acceptable that maintenance issues could be a little more awkward if they arise, then there shouldn’t be a significant reason to prevent the Nelevator from being mounted in such a way.

For all of the model railway shows that we’ve attended with the Nelevator, we have just had the Nelevator slotted into its mounting hole and gravity did its job of holding it in place.

However, if you feel that you would like your Nelevator secured, then we have provided 4 x 6mm mounting holes in the mounting flanges allowing you to fix the Nelevator to your base-board.

All versions of the Nelevator (N and OO) are now being manufactured and are available to back-order.

The simple answer is unfortunately no due to the design of the system.

If the access level were on the bottom of the Nelevator, the Nelevator would have nowhere to move down to let trains out from the upper levels. As such the design has to have the main access level at the middle in order to be able to access trains from any level.

The same issue applies but in opposite for an access level at the top of the Nelevator.

The basic model of the Nelevator only has the entrance and exits on a single level, at both ends.

However, it is designed to take an upgrade kit so that a second higher entry / exit level would be available.

We have worked hard to keep the cost of the Nelevator as low as possible, and as part of this process we had to fix the design to a few different length options for economies of scale.

Custom lengths are technically feasible within limits, but as tooling isn’t set up for this there would be inevitable cost premiums.

From a business perspective, we would prefer having standard products than constantly having to do custom versions if we can.

Nelevation will provide a 2 year return to base replacement part warranty on all components (excluding track).

The longest version that we will be producing for OO gauge is 6 ft / 1,828 mm (see our specifications page), which should accommodate 5 coaches plus a locomotive. Anything longer than 6 ft / 1,828 mm would require a radical redesign to cope with the increased weight and loading, with significant cost increases and time to market.

For OO gauge some people are considering using the 6 ft/ 1,828 mm Nelevator with an additional longer siding in parallel to enable them to assemble longer trains from the Nelevator.

Yes, the Nelevator will work with either DCC or DC/analogue layouts as the layout itself just sees the Nelevator as another piece of straight track.

We are currently working on a DCC interface module that will enable the Nelevator to respond to DCC accessory commands to change lanes.

We hope to be making this interface module available for sale very shortly.

Cleaning the track inside the Nelevator should be as easy as cleaning the track on the rest of your layout.

The Perspex side panels of the Nelevator simply lift off allowing you easy access to the stacker columns inside the Nelevator to clean the track with a conventional abrasive track cleaner.

1. Check you’re using the correct socket

If your serial communications with the Nelevator aren’t working, please check that the 3.5 mm jack plug from your serial communications lead or Bluetooth dongle is plugged into the COMs socket of the Nelevator; a common error is plugging it into the DCC socket by mistake.

2. Check your communication protocol settings

For successful communications with the Nelevator, your system must be configured to the correct serial communication settings as detailed in the NellyCOM Serial Control Protocol Specification. Please verify your system is configured correctly.

Occasionally part of the Nelevator’s memory may get corrupted resulting in it being unable to determine which level it is supposed to be on. This effectively renders the Nelevator inoperable.

If the Nelevator appears to have the corrupted memory problem as described above, there is a possibility to reset its track positions with the remote control handset, but ONLY if the Nelevator has a later version of software.

The full instructions for this procedure can be found here: Resetting Nelevator Track Positions

We are currently working on a suitable packaging solution for international shipping with a local supplier using the latest high performance packaging materials.

When we have the final design and costings for this we will publish the information on our website and send out a newsletter to everyone on our newsletter list.

Absolutely, yes.

No, delivery and packing is not included in the price.