Scratched my head so much I'm bold

3759 Views 19 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Basil, Jun 8, 2008

Cpt Jack Sparrow

Discussion Starter · Jun 3, 2008

2

I'm in the process of building my first layout for 20 years, I have been reviving my skills on a 3' x 2' diorama. In the mean time I have constructed a 10' x 6'6" base board in my garage

Now I have speant the last 2 week trying to come up with a plan for the track and just can't do it.

I want a constant loop for an express train or two, but I also enjoy the shunting side of things. I don't wany losds of track as I like a little realism and scenary.

Sssooooooo If you had a 10' x 6'6" blank canvas what would you do????

Thanks for your help in advance

Cpt Jack

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ebaykal

· #2 · Jun 3, 2008

Hi Capt.

There is bound to be one that suits your need. Check them out to give you at least just an idea.

http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train2.htm

http://www.trainplayer.com/Site2/Baustert%20Gallery.html

Baykal

Robert Stokes

· #3 · Jun 3, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

There are lots of published plans for 8 ft by 4 ft layouts. One of those stretched out in both directions would be one way of doing it. Don't be tempted to take a plan for 12 ft by 8 ft and compress it. This can produce over-tight radii and other difficulties. Much better to take a design for a smaller space and stretch it. You can use larger radius curves, lengthen platforms, fit in anextra siding or just have more space for scenery.

Peco booklet "60 plans for small model railways" or similar title is good. I also have in front of me "PSL Book of Model Railway Track Plans". This has several at around your available size.

Good luck with the project, Robert.

Chinahand

· #4 · Jun 3, 2008

Hi Cap'n Jack,

Are we talking one big baseboard here, and if so do you have access all round, or have you incorporated a central control well ?

Cheers,

Expat.

Cpt Jack Sparrow

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 4, 2008

QUOTE (Expat @ 3 Jun 2008, 22:47) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Hi Cap'n Jack,

Are we talking one big baseboard here, and if so do you have access all round, or have you incorporated a central control well ?

Cheers,

Expat.

Have access all around, but have also built it in such a way with the frame, with a wizz of the jig saw a well can appear

Cpt Jack

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Kimbo

· #6 · Jun 4, 2008

Good luck with your project Cpt Sparrow

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Robert Stokes

· #7 · Jun 4, 2008

If you can build in a central operating well, then I would say do so. As I was explaining to someone else on here only a few days ago, it has two big advantages.

1. Trains going round behind you are much more realistic than having them circlng in front of you. They appear to actually go somewhere, as with the real thing. You can stop a train behind you, and bring another one on before the original one reappears later.

2. Carriages and wagons will close up as they go round curves if watched from the inside. Watched from the outside, they open up, and on small radius curves, the gaps can be so large that they look awful.

I said above a central operating well, but it does not have to be symmetrically central. There is some advantage in having more on one side where you can site a station and less on the otherside for just plain track or hidden storage sidings. In OO gauge you can get six parallel storage sidings inside a foot of width, even seven if you are careful.

Good luck with the project, Robert.

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Chinahand

· #8 · Jun 4, 2008

Hi Cap'n Jack,

Been giving some thought to your 10 x 6'-6" Board and your specification and have come up with the attached design.

Twin track for continuous running with half of it hidden beneath a Main Line Terminus.

End-to-end running between the Main Line Terminus and a Branch Line Terminus.

Moderate amount of shunting potential.

With the tracks on 3 levels there should be plenty of scenic possibilities.

Let me know if this is the sort of thing you have in mind.

Rectangle Slope Font Parallel Circle

Cheers,

Expat.

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Cpt Jack Sparrow

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 4, 2008

3

Expat

That's 'bob' on sir.

Already got the old grey matter working around scenery. Are you suggesting the three levels as Main line Terminus ground level with the cont loop going under, Branch line terminus raised.

Thanks again

Cpt Jack

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Chinahand

· #10 · Jun 5, 2008

Hi Cap'n,

My pleasure.

Re. levels, yes that's right. I haven't worked out all the gradients yet and it might be necessary to "dip" the main line a bit to give clearance under the Main Line Terminus. I nice gentle grade up to the Branch line terminus though, say 1 : 75.

I'll give it some more thought now the principle is "approved". What form of construction have you used and what is the thickness of the board top ??

Cheers,

Expat.

Kimbo

· #11 · Jun 5, 2008

That looks like a really good plan, actually! Well done!

Cpt Jack Sparrow

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 5, 2008

Hi Expat

The base is a cross membered frame with 6mm top board. I've had a good think and look at where the gradient will be and with some cleaver re-bracing I can work it through.

This was the jump start I needed, I'm usually quite a creative person, but this was just a total blockage.

really appreciate you time, help and suggestions.

Extra Portion of Port for you

Cheers

Cpt Jack

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60134

· #13 · Jun 5, 2008

Shouldn't that be a tot of rum, Cap'n?

Yo, heave ho!

60134

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ben1

· #14 · Jun 5, 2008

What scale will it be?

Cpt Jack Sparrow

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 5, 2008

QUOTE (ben100 @ 5 Jun 2008, 13:26) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>What scale will it be?

Sorry

OO Gauge

Cpt Jack Sparrow

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 5, 2008

3

QUOTE (60134 @ 5 Jun 2008, 13:13) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Shouldn't that be a tot of rum, Cap'n?

Yo, heave ho!

60134

Erm Rum's all drunk by the cap'n

only Port left for the bellies of the sailors....... Hic

Cpt Jack

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7113

· #17 · Jun 5, 2008

QUOTE (60134 @ 5 Jun 2008, 11:13) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Shouldn't that be a tot of rum, Cap'n?

Yo, heave ho!

My thoughts exactly - nothing like a drop of Nelsons blood to liven things up!

Regards

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Chinahand

· #18 · Jun 5, 2008

Personally I'm a G & T man but each to his own.

Glad to be of help Cap'n and if you need any more you know where to find me.

Are we still talking 'World's End' as a name for the layout ??

Happy modelling,

Expat.

Cpt Jack Sparrow

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 5, 2008

2

Yes we are

'World's End' will be the Main Line Termius

The pub will be the 'Black pearl'

Oh and one of the express locos will have to be the 'Flying Dutchman'

Thanks again

Cpt Jack

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Basil

· #20 · Jun 8, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

QUOTE (Robert Stokes @ 4 Jun 2008, 12:35) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>If you can build in a central operating well, then I would say do so. As I was explaining to someone else on here only a few days ago, it has two big advantages.

1. Trains going round behind you are much more realistic than having them circlng in front of you. They appear to actually go somewhere, as with the real thing. You can stop a train behind you, and bring another one on before the original one reappears later.

2. Carriages and wagons will close up as they go round curves if watched from the inside. Watched from the outside, they open up, and on small radius curves, the gaps can be so large that they look awful.

I said above a central operating well, but it does not have to be symmetrically central. There is some advantage in having more on one side where you can site a station and less on the otherside for just plain track or hidden storage sidings. In OO gauge you can get six parallel storage sidings inside a foot of width, even seven if you are careful.

Good luck with the project, Robert.

Robert, (and capt') This layout with the central operating well is from the soul of the railway switch man. You have your own control room and can be very realistic.

I had a similar layout in my attic until (we) got pregnant and we had to fix it up as a spare room. My locos and carriages now 'live' in my workshop drawers and I have been adding to the collection. No permanent layout for a while.

Today is one day overdue (for baby) and long overdue for a new home for my layout

get building and consider the central well

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