Metcalfe Yard

[sb67]

Been messing around with plans for a bit and came up with one I like. A 5ft x1ft Micro using and kitbashing a lot of the Metcalfe Models building I've had but never used, hence the name, also something to run the fantastic small locos I've collected recently, i.e. peckett, sentinel also a J50 and USA tank. The left hand end will be the fiddle yard, long enough for an 0-6-0 and 4 10ft wheel base wagons. The other siding at the front left will be in the fiddle yard but entered through the Metcalfe factory gateway as if to be going to another yard/factory. I'm not sure whether to use a sector plate or just a Peco loco lift, as it's only going to be used at home and not going to need much stock I'm not sure if a sector plate is worth building. I think the plan will provide a bit of interest and could be operated as a sort of shunting puzzle. I'm going to use Peco code 75 but I thought of re-spacing the sleepers but as most of it would be buried under ballast and muck would that be worth it?
I'll give it a week and hope to start laying track as I haven't decided how to control the points yet.
Just thought I'd share it and hope it gets a bit of interest. I'd like to hear peoples thoughts.
Steve.

Edited February 28, 2018 by sb67

[Gordon A]

I would suggest you include a crossover on the left side of the two parallel lines to give you a run round loop. The other option is to use the off scene storage as a traverser, but this involves a lot of sideways movements.

 

Gordon A

[sb67]

Thanks for the reply Gordon. As space is tight I was going to just use a Peco loco lift rather than a crossover or I could build a traverser but thought as it's for home use a loco lift would do.

 

One question I would like some advice on is wiring. In layouts I've done before I've just winged it so this time  I'd like to wire the layout well and for possibly future DCC use. I know about the feeds and breaks around the points but would I need Bus wires and droppers on a small layout, I'm also looking at modifying the electrofrog points so that I'm not relying on just switchblade contact.

Steve.

[sb67]

Laid a bit of track and re-spaced the sleepers to a better distance apart. It's a poor pic but the left and end hasn't been altered, it was a pain to do but think it looks a bit better, the photo doesn't do it justice. However, I think in the future I'd use either finsclae or the new Bullhead rail from Peco. Just got to use some code 75 first.

 

 

 

[Gordon A]

For your wiring question you will need a feed at the toe of each point  in the top track, to the toe of the  left hand point in the second track and to the toe of the bottom point.

You will need to break both lines between each pair of points that look like a crossover.

The Y point on the RHS of the second point will get its feed from the point on the LHS, unless you wish to break both lines just past the LH point and add a separate feed.

This might be useful if going DCC.

 

Gordon A

Edited February 21, 2017 by Gordon A

[sb67]

 

 

Track laid and wired up, it all runs ok except my method of polarity changing for the points. I'll have to try something different to the belt and braces method I've used. I'm using dowel rods to switch the points. Does anyone know how I could incorporate a micro switch to change the polarity?

Steve.

 

[Southwell]

I lined my microswitches up with the pin of my point motors - when the motor is on one side the switch is open, when thrown it's closed and the spring in the points hold them in place fine.

 

I wonder if you could use a similar method, obviously without the point motors - either threading a bit of wire through the little hole in the points then using it to interact with the switch, or maybe put it through the dowel? 

[sb67]

I was hoping to operate the switch using the end of the dowel pushing onto it. I've ordered some switches so I'll have a play when they turn up.

I started another thread on the subject and got a couple of good ideas.

Steve.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/120490-micro-switches/

[sb67]

Painted the backscene this eve or rather sloshed some paint on a bit of plywood. I wanted a dark gloomy sky. Don't think it's great but most it will be covered up by warehouses etc.

 

[sb67]

Had a play around with some buildings. I kind of like the look of the second pic with the warehouses on the right hand end. I was thinking of filling the rest of the space with a scalescenes warehouse.

Edited March 9, 2017 by sb67

[sb67]

Done some work on the Metcalfe warehouse, need to add the roof, some details and find a method of weathering it.

 

[sb67]

I was wondering where would be the best place to place a water crane for a bit of visual intrest in the middle of the layout? I was thinking between one of the v's or the short siding where I've parked 3 wagons in one of the pics.

Steve.

[sb67]

Had a go at weathering the wharehouse. The photo doesn't do it justice but I'm not really pleased with it. I mixed some paint with varnish then used some weathering powders. I'll leave it all to dry and go back to it another time.

 

 

I wanted a black sooty effect, I might bring the darker bit further down the building.

[sb67]

Had a good day today wired up my 1st ever micro switch and after a bit of messing about it works!

 

 

What it shows is the end of the rod used to operate the point. I glued a small bit of wood on and when the point is operated the switch is worked to.

 

Sorry about the dodgy photo, it's not half as dodgy as the wiring!

Steve.

Edited March 29, 2017 by sb67

[sb67]

Finished a Model Railway Scenery warehouse, just not sure where to place the buildings and what to build to fill the gap. I like the thought of a concrete warehouse but not sure if it would look out of place.

Steve.

 

 

 

 

I kind of like the smaller warehouse in the middle.

Steve.

[bazzer42]

I would go something lower so you can see more of that dark sky that looks so good with the warehouses. The sort of day to send the apprentice out to do the dirty work whilst you sit by the stove and study form for the 3.30 at Kempton.

[sb67]

Still thinking about the backscene and exiting the yard at the left hand end. Been having a play this eve, as soon as everything seems to work ok I can start ballasting.

Steve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sb67]

Had another play this eve. Everything seems to work ok so I can get on with Ballasting and ground work. Enjoyed running stock that hasn't seen the light of day for a year or so, must learn how to photo a layout though!.

The Pecket and USA tank run superb. The Sentinal is fine in one direction but stutters going the other way, anybody else had this problem?

Sorry for the poor pics.

Steve.

 

[sb67]

Some bigger loco's visited Metcalfe yard this eve! Enjoyed running most of my stock, now time to get on with the scenery etc.

Steve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2017 by sb67

[Shed]

looking good so far

[ess1uk]

good work

[sb67]

Thanks guys. I've been running some stock and fiting DCC decoders so work on the layout's been a bit slow. Next step will be to ballast and start on the groundwork. I'd a semi covered sleeper and rail almost buried look that was generally seen around yards. I'd like to try using DAS and fine sand as used by Chris Nevard on his layouts.

Steve.

[steve1]

looking good so far

+1

 

steve

[sb67]

Just a small update, been messing around with dcc stuff but managed to ballast the layout using fine sand. I want to use a bit of das clay over the top to replicate the groundwork seen in yards.

Just got to get it all working again.

Steve

 

[luke the train spotter]

Looks good. Will there be any point rodding?