Early construction of a simple 00 garage layout

Hi Chris - lots of exciting developments going on at Teasel Bay - and lots of modelling opportunities too.  Just to be sure I have your plans right, will there be three separate railway lines - the Teasel ~Bay one we know, the new mainline running at a higher level and the 009 branchline?  Do you have places to park stock stock when they are not running?  Will everything be run from the same controller?  Very interesting to see the laptop controlling the layout and the apprentices getting to grips with it so quickly.  I am sure you have told us before, but what software are you using?
Michael

Got it in one…
So Teasel Bay’s branch is great, but doesn’t offer too much variation. The mainline with Norcott will offer some diversity with a few passing platforms and a few terminating. There will also be a siding etc for the station pilot. With the yey to be named 009 single track, will give a total of 5 independent running lines. 

At the moment I’m using RailMaster on the laptop, one day I might make my own software. It can cope with all the tracks with no issues. 

Hurray back in the garage today!

A mixture of a 6 year old that is struggling a little with bed time, so by the time he’s asleep it’s too late to get in the garage. It doesn’t help he is on the garage side of the house!…. And busy work has also put a spanner in the works. Long gone are the days I could sit at my desk and do some modelling while ‘working’!


So tonight I started laying the second of the mainlines. Spent a good while checking clearness using the longest stock I have available!







It’s good to be back!

Hoorah!  Spring is definitely arriving when we get modelling again.  Looks like you have a curve like my Creek end (although I think mine looks worse as it is a semi circle.  Do you plan to disguise it at all, or is it not a problem?
Michael

Teasel Bay is ticking over. I don’t work as fast as the Demon Headmaster over on the Kent Coast! 

Laid some more track across the lift out section this evening. Takes a little time to cut and align everything. 






Tested with coach stock and the ran the Class156 over the sections. As mentioned above, this loco seems to have the least tolerances for dodgy track laying. All went well. 

Looking good Chris, and I can see the cutting more clearly from this angle, so can see the curve is a little hidden.  Nice carriages too… we didn't get too many of those down in rural Kent.  
Your track laying is quicker than mine though, I really need to get on with that.

Michael

More track laying tonight, this time the narrow variation! After a delivery of track from GEM I pulled up the simple test circuit and started building my design on the main board. 





There will be a central floating station mid tracks. I plan to have a small shed and water tower etc on the sidings. 

Now that is very speedy track work…. and a very nice plan, it's going to be a great addition to Teasel Bay.
Michael

It went pretty nicely. It’s a little more fiddly than 00 normal, mainly because I tried to keep Teasel straight and this is pretty curvey. 
I need to think of a good name for the narrow railway/station. I’ve not come up with a good one yet. Any ideas?

I had to trawl back through your thread to be certain, but I seemed to remember a significance for your mainline extension name, Norcott.  As that was a derivative of your Grandad, could the 009 section be something similar?  Perhaps from the names of your boys?  Just a thought.
Michael

As its narrow gauge, I thought of "Slimbridge Junction" ……..


 As Michael said, you haven't wasted any time laying that trackwork Chris ….  I can almost see those pins gritting their teeth as tgey fight their way into that straw-board……..

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:

I had to trawl back through your thread to be certain, but I seemed to remember a significance for your mainline extension name, Norcott.  As that was a derivative of your Grandad, could the 009 section be something similar?  Perhaps from the names of your boys?  Just a thought.
Michael

It’s an idea.. Georry station! Haorge Junction. I’m not convinced. I’ve tried other family names but none seem to join quite as nice as Norcott. 

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

As its narrow gauge, I thought of "Slimbridge Junction" ……..

Where did that one come from? I like the idea of having something to do with ‘narrow’ in the name. Maybe Little Junction? 

The station will be a small tourist line, with a small car park and a play area if it fits….

[user=6]Petermac[/user] wrote:

As Michael said, you haven't wasted any time laying that trackwork Chris ….  I can almost see those pins gritting their teeth as tgey fight their way into that straw-board……..

It came together a little quicker than the OO track over the bridge. Ensuring the sections align/cutting soldering etc requires at least a second set of arms! 

The 009 was very nice to work with. If you look closely the pins aren’t 100% set and are popping up. Can’t run anything on the track until some wire arrives. This will give me a little flexibility when soldering them. After a trip to my favourite model shop today I was able to complete the track. 



Annoying I had to open a new pack of rail joiners for 2 of them. Ah well. I do have a spare yard which can be returned on my next visit to GEM. 

Perhaps you should change the names of your boys then Chris!
The narrow gauge looks great and has surged ahead, I am looking forward to the grand opening.

Just out of interest, which model shop do you use?      ;-)

Michael

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote:

Perhaps you should change the names of your boys then Chris!
……………………………………

 

[user=1512]Headmaster[/user] wrote: Just out of interest, which model shop do you use?

One that is great and based out of the east that sells models!!

I just realised Teasel Bay is 5 today. I’m sure some of you guys would have got far further in 5 years but I’m happy with the progress!

Happy Birthday Teasel Bay.  Brilliant to watch it develop and the exciting things on their way.
 :cheers

Michael

I very much rather dislike soldering!