Branch Line - Roundy, roundy with some shunting

I think I'm finally getting somewhere.


I started a thread in Layout Design, Trackwork & Operation called Latton Junction at the end of last year and said at the beginning of November “Pretty sure this is now the 'final cut'”.




I was wrong!

I managed to add a small extra baseboard at the top right hand side, which enabled me to remove the goods shed from the end of the platform and move it further along to to the right on it's own siding.  Looks much better and probably more prototypical.

The plan was a nested figure of eight to allow a reasonable journey time for a train in what is a very small space and despite my efforts at trying to avoid a 'train set' looking two loops, it's what I've ended up with.




To try and make it operationally interesting (and so I don't get bored too quickly), trains leave Burnt Mill Junction (storage, yellow section), travel across the diamond crossing around the outer loop past Puffers Green (yet to be decided but maybe disused halt ), under a raised section of scenery and back over the diamond crossing. Then via the turnout onto the inner loop, under the raised section again, past Potters yard (blue section) back round the inner loop again, over the diamond crossing and into Latton Fields (green section).

A Train travelling at what I consider a reasonable scale speed takes about 3 minutes to travel from storage to Latton Fields, which is acceptable to me in such a small area.

More to follow ……………….




Ed

Lovely looking layout I look forward to watching this progress

Hi Ed,

Have you considered turning the goods yard section into a small Inglenook ? An inglenook will provide plenty of shunting…

By replacing the left hand point with a 3-way point for the loop line/run-around and goods shed road entrance. Add another right hand point and extend the current short siding, as shown below.



Cheers, Gary.

I think I'm kind of with Gary on this, Ed.  I don't know if you've done layouts before, but IMO, it's better to begin small(ish).  The boxfile style layouts by Chris Nevard are tiny but very inspiring. ( http://www.nevard.com/ )  This way you can learn all the lessons and make all the mistakes (and there will be lots) on something manageable AND get trains running fairly quickly.  If it all goes pear shaped, it's not quite so heartbreaking to start again. 

It occurs to me that the station complex would work as a stand alone and you could connect the storage roads to that.  There's a great temptation to build a circuit and I'm not immune to that either.

It all depends on what you like to do I guess.

Anyway, as long as you're enjoying yourself it's all good.

John

 

Looks good Ed. Good luck with it.

Track layout is pretty much 'set in stone' now chaps.
The only track left to lay is Potters Yard and I can't have an inglenook as I haven't got a fireplace

Freight should provide plenty of interest, with coal and factory traffic to and from Potters Yard and closed wagons continuing on to the goods shed at the main station. Should give me plenty of excuses for lots of shunting.

In my fictitious world Latton Fields was a through station, but a certain Doctor has shut the rest of the line. This bit has stayed open due to the factory and large volume of commuter traffic in this suburban type area.

The line now ends at a blocked off tunnel.

 

Well it will be eventually :roll:

I know it's only a Superquick Goods Shed, but you have to start somewhere.


Ed

I think it looks the part Ed. It does not look train set like to me ….. far from it.


crack on.

Hi Ed,

Just to throw a spanner in the works… :roll: , engines were not permitted into the goods shed, so shunting the brake van into the short siding (as in pic) may be a tad difficult…

Then again, RULE No. 1 applies… :mrgreen: ;-)

Cheers, Gary.

I think it's a fabulous small area layout plan Ed, lots of options for operation and a clear mainline to allow trains to stretch their legs.
Lay on, I'm going to enjoy watching it come together.

cheers
Marty

Hi Gary

When the line was first built by the Northern and Eastern Railway, wagons were moved from the original loading dock (prior to the goods shed being built) by the yard horse if it wasn't out delivering, or manually with a pinch bar.

As time progressed the spur was and is used more as a catch point to stop any runaways from the shed from entering the loop.

(I did say it was my fictitious world)


Ed

Hi Marty

Thanks for that.

Not sure about trains stretching their legs, but I can always sit and watch a train go round and round if I feel like it.

Ed

The saga continues……

The diamond crossing was originally a Hornby right hand R615, but I got fed up with my 0-4-0 locos stalling unless travelling at a scale 100mph so I swapped it for a Peco SL-93 which has less plastic. Fine until I converted to DCC and of course I got the shorting problem at the frogs. It's now a Peco code 75 SL-E193, with the frogs switched using a DPDT toggle switch.

Two reasons for this, firstly there is no dedicated point/turnout as the diamond crossing is part of the running line and secondly the points most closely associated with the crossing are controlled using GEM Mercontrol.

Peco SL-E193 with Peco SL-113 Code 100 to Code 75 transition track.



Please ignore the multi-coloured EVA foam underlay and styrene packing, it will all disappear under ballast eventually.

The pugs now run through with no problems.

http://www.youtube.com/v/SrHloL1AKkY?version=3

I have installed two cheap colour signals with switches that need to be set in the same direction as the frog polarity switch, to visually remind me which way to run through the diamond crossing. I may try and change this to a more fail-safe type of set up at a later date, but it will do for now and yes, I have forgotten to change the switches on two occasions and shorted out the system.

No damage as the Digitrax Zephyr system I bought is very good at cutting the power to the track if a short persists for more than a couple of seconds

It also keeps me 'on my toes' as any real signalman would have to be.




Please excuse the very large yard lamp in the background.




Ed

Your railway is comeing along well Ed.Lots of potential and of a size that could be finished.

regards,
Derek.

Hi Derek

Doubt I'll ever finish it, as it's in the garage and I don't get out there much in the winter.

It's more an on-going long term project which I can continually review, update and change.

Once all the track is down and most of the scenery is done Ill start by replacing the Superquick structures I'm currently using with something better.

Who knows, I might even start trying to scratch build something.


Ed




 

Hi Ed,

It's only just begun, all the learning processes and dipping your toe into the various skills required.

I'm in the same boat and the word finish bears no relevance. Just getting trains running is a major accomplishment at the moment. The trackplan looks very exciting and the various stages to get it progressed to get it to just a running stage should keep you busy for a while. Looking forward to seeing how it happens.

Cheers from a very groggy toto.

G`day Ed,

 I like it…..it`s got good operating potential and as you say some of it requires you to be on your toes. Personally I think that is better than everything being relatively easy. When you are required to think like a signal man to make sure all runs properly, the layout becomes more interesting…..a bit like solving a puzzle.

 You`ve already done the hard part……you can run trains and that`s what it`s all about???

 Keep up the good work

:cheers  Gormo

 

The layout is moving along quite nicely, just like the Pug ! A simple solution to the problem and with safe working !

I'm be watching this layout develope over time until it's finished (nearly)… ;-)

Cheers, Gary.

Hi Ed

Of course to really throw a spanner, and solve the crossover issue, you could elevate the road going to the storage sidings, starting the incline from the station you have over one full circuit to gain the height.

Paul

Hi Paul

Been there, done that ……………………………….

http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=11876&forum_id=21

and then I broke my left wrist

Ed

Well I just had to say it…….. someone always has to spoil it

Paul