I use a flick of a well chalked String to mark a straight line.
And the straight tracksetta comes in very usefull.
Peter
And the straight tracksetta comes in very usefull.
Peter
Why is there only one channel tunnel?
(I do have a serious query at the end)
I was trying to lay track in a straight line and despite the use of a straight tracksetta and then the edge of a quality one metre level, I was still veering one way or the other after a meagre 4 or 5 feet. From where I was laying the track everything seemed fine until I made two checks:-
1) Can I still fit the other running line, platform and two outer tracks in the space left before everything falls off the edge of the baseboard? If not, start again.
2) If I walk to the end of the line and cast my eye can I see a kink? If yes, start again.
Twice these checks failed and each time the deviation was barely perceptible at the point it started, neither did the straight edges I was using show it up.
Whilst pondering on my difficulty of keeping straight over a distance of 12 feet I wondered how you got to the moon without missing by rather a long way. Then I decided that it didn't matter, you just kept adjusting your course so that you were pointed at the moon, after all it is rather large and you can see it. But then I wondered what if you can't see your target such as the other half of a tunnel. A fraction of a degree off and as the joke about the 2 man quote to build a tunnel goes - "If we miss, then you get two tunnels for the price of one".
I realised that the Chunnel builders probably used GPS and lasers. But I didn't think that GPS would work to the tolerance I needed, though a laser level was a possibility. A quick google showed that basic models can be had for about £20 from Amazon but that still seemed like overkill, so before nipping down to B & Q I tried one last ploy.
I performed my number 1 check above at 4 foot intervals and secured a 4 inch piece of offcut track where the outer rail should be. Then I got a long half inch wide measuring tape - the kind builders use, it's about 28 ft long and doesn't like to kink left or right - and laid it between the rails of the 4 inch offcuts. Now I was able to use the tape as a guide to laying the track I wanted without any further dramas. The result is completely straight - a bit like the track from the opening of Once upon a time in the west - but it's near enough and once a train is standing on it you don't notice.
Query:
Whilst on (or near) the subject of the channel tunnel, I was thinking of using it this summer but I don't quite understand why there is a reasonable price and totally out of this world price. What are you not getting for the cheap fare? I have heard that maybe you get to wait a lot for some trainspotting if you haven't paid the ransom. Is this true?
David
I was trying to lay track in a straight line and despite the use of a straight tracksetta and then the edge of a quality one metre level, I was still veering one way or the other after a meagre 4 or 5 feet. From where I was laying the track everything seemed fine until I made two checks:-
1) Can I still fit the other running line, platform and two outer tracks in the space left before everything falls off the edge of the baseboard? If not, start again.
2) If I walk to the end of the line and cast my eye can I see a kink? If yes, start again.
Twice these checks failed and each time the deviation was barely perceptible at the point it started, neither did the straight edges I was using show it up.
Whilst pondering on my difficulty of keeping straight over a distance of 12 feet I wondered how you got to the moon without missing by rather a long way. Then I decided that it didn't matter, you just kept adjusting your course so that you were pointed at the moon, after all it is rather large and you can see it. But then I wondered what if you can't see your target such as the other half of a tunnel. A fraction of a degree off and as the joke about the 2 man quote to build a tunnel goes - "If we miss, then you get two tunnels for the price of one".
I realised that the Chunnel builders probably used GPS and lasers. But I didn't think that GPS would work to the tolerance I needed, though a laser level was a possibility. A quick google showed that basic models can be had for about £20 from Amazon but that still seemed like overkill, so before nipping down to B & Q I tried one last ploy.
I performed my number 1 check above at 4 foot intervals and secured a 4 inch piece of offcut track where the outer rail should be. Then I got a long half inch wide measuring tape - the kind builders use, it's about 28 ft long and doesn't like to kink left or right - and laid it between the rails of the 4 inch offcuts. Now I was able to use the tape as a guide to laying the track I wanted without any further dramas. The result is completely straight - a bit like the track from the opening of Once upon a time in the west - but it's near enough and once a train is standing on it you don't notice.
Query:
Whilst on (or near) the subject of the channel tunnel, I was thinking of using it this summer but I don't quite understand why there is a reasonable price and totally out of this world price. What are you not getting for the cheap fare? I have heard that maybe you get to wait a lot for some trainspotting if you haven't paid the ransom. Is this true?
David
1 - 3 of 29 Posts
if you are arranging fiddle yards then there is a tool you can use. it looks like about 8 dividers on a pantograph. i will try and find a pic for you
Peter
here it is. this is a very expensive and complicated one but i think squires do one for about £8.
You only have to get 1 track straight then measure all the others from that datum.
http://www.haff.de/reduktionszirkel_e.htm
Peter
here it is. this is a very expensive and complicated one but i think squires do one for about £8.
You only have to get 1 track straight then measure all the others from that datum.
http://www.haff.de/reduktionszirkel_e.htm
there are several reasons. on one club layout i was involved with the fiddle yard could be put together with the centre boards in any order (and the end boards were also identical). this made setting up even easied as it didnt matter which order the boards were packed away in or taken out.
also it looke neat.
although prototypes vary, on modern lines the distance between the tracks is often very closely monitored for aerodynamic and noise reasons. often it dosent need to be straight but it does need to be VERY accurate.
The same applies to a model.
Peter
also it looke neat.
although prototypes vary, on modern lines the distance between the tracks is often very closely monitored for aerodynamic and noise reasons. often it dosent need to be straight but it does need to be VERY accurate.
The same applies to a model.
Peter
1 - 3 of 29 Posts
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