Well done Stephen.That looks like a very interesting plan.

 

I'm impressed by the fact that you haven't tried to cram too many tracks into the available space on the scenic side. However, you might want to have more tracks in the storage sidings. You can't have too many of these.

I hope that all goes well with the project.
Robert

 

Stephen

If I've measured correctly, you have allowed about 600mm for loco + wagons in the station area so that the loco can run round the wagons and start shunting. That's about one loco & 4-5 wagons. If that's enough for your needs, that's fine.

If you want to play Inglenook Sidings (see http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/Ing...trackplan.html), you would need to get rid of the turntable (which would be a shame) or put in another siding, which may be difficult.

If you want to be prototypical, then the turntable probably should go and be replaced by a coaling plant and /or ash pit near the loco shed.

Looking forward to seeing you build your traverser. I need one but keep on putting off the evil day of actually making it

Have fun!

regards Drew

 

Tony, thanks for your kind words of encouragement.

Robert, I have learnt the mistakes of my past by not trying to cram every type of facility and feature into a small layout. I did this on a small N scale layout recently and I became so frustrated with its operation because I was trying to get every feature to work as close to prototypical operation as possible (sidings, engine facilities, classification yards, mainlines, head shunts etc.). More often than not, it cannot be achieved where real estate is a luxury. Not to mention that the layout became too "busy" and overloaded. Less is more, I have learnt. I appreciate your comments.

Thanks for your comments, Drew. I have thought about what you've said and you make some very valid points. I may be able to stretch the platform to 800mm when I arrive at the construction phase.

I also have been contemplating removing the turntable, and let the steam loco leave tender first. Yes definitely an ash pit and coaling and water tower. Having said that I do like turntables.

I have been in two minds about the traverser. If I can manage the space, I am now more inclined to use a combination of a 3-way point or some normal points.

Thanks for the initial feedback. It is very much appreciated.

Stephen

 

Instead of a traverser, you might want to investigate the possibility of using a sector plate. A fan of points, even using three-way ones, takes up a lot of space. A sector plate, which is rather like a large half-turntable, will avoid this. Also, although I've never used one myself, I believe that they are easier to make and operate than traversers.

 

QUOTE (Drewfield @ 13 Mar 2011, 03:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Stephen

If I've measured correctly, you have allowed about 600mm for loco + wagons in the station area so that the loco can run round the wagons and start shunting. That's about one loco & 4-5 wagons. If that's enough for your needs, that's fine.

If you want to play Inglenook Sidings (see http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/Ing...trackplan.html), you would need to get rid of the turntable (which would be a shame) or put in another siding, which may be difficult.

If you want to be prototypical, then the turntable probably should go and be replaced by a coaling plant and /or ash pit near the loco shed.

Looking forward to seeing you build your traverser. I need one but keep on putting off the evil day of actually making it

Have fun!

regards Drew

Hi Drew, putting the concept of a "puzzle" aside for the moment, and let's assume I wanted to make it more prototypical than an Inglenook design, wouldn't a turntable be common on some end of line branchlines? They seem to be relatively common across the Victorian Railways here in Australia.

Thanks Robert, yes I think I'll ditch the points in favour of either a sector plate or a traverser.

Regards,
Stephen

 

For the end of a UK branchline, the layout proposed is very typical, except for the turntable, and that goes double for making it the shed access. Failure of the turntable makes the shed facilities unavailable at best, and at worst might trap a loco on shed. Unlike Aus, the UK is a small place, and branchlines were typically short. On the occasions when the branch was worked by a tender loco, having to run perhaps a dozen miles tender first was quite acceptable. And the locos you have are good choices for a branch, equally well operated in either direction without turning; in steam operation tank engines were the norm for small branches.

 

If you include the turntable then go for a small one, say a scale 50 or 55 ft, which would be about right for the end of a branchline. In my opinion, you shouldn't use something like the Hornby 70 ft one as it would look totally out of place. I think they would only have been found in major engine sheds for mainline locos. Furthermore, because turntables cover an area which is square of the radius a 70 ft one is actually over 60% bigger than a 55 ft one.

 

QUOTE (34C @ 24 Mar 2011, 20:30) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>For the end of a UK branchline, the layout proposed is very typical, except for the turntable, and that goes double for making it the shed access. Failure of the turntable makes the shed facilities unavailable at best, and at worst might trap a loco on shed. Unlike Aus, the UK is a small place, and branchlines were typically short. On the occasions when the branch was worked by a tender loco, having to run perhaps a dozen miles tender first was quite acceptable. And the locos you have are good choices for a branch, equally well operated in either direction without turning; in steam operation tank engines were the norm for small branches.

Makes perfect sense, thankyou

I think the fact that our branchlines sprawled out in all directions, especially during and after the gold rush, space wasn't an issue. I will redesign without a turntable and see how it looks.

Thanks Robert, Actually if I recall correctly, approximately 55-odd foot the size of the local turntables at the end of the branchlines here. And yes, space was not really an issue when these branchlines sprawled across the country in the mid-late 1800's.

Does anyone make a RTR HO/OO turntable of this size?

Regards,
Stephen