S. Mudge & Bertie Pickle Works- N gauge micro

[devondynosoar118]

I have some spare bits left over from my other projects, plus an interesting array of odd wagons like a peaked "Saxa Salt" one that don't really fit on Kingsbridge. Some of you may be familiar with my micro layout "Squeezebelly Lane" that has appeared at a few shows with its armchair and standard lamp.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/39822-squeezebelly-lane-depot-n-inglenook-in-a-table-still-going/page-1

 

This was a lot of fun to build and operate, I want to make another. I have been looking for a second table that I could link to Squeezebelly and run them together, with a "floating" fiddle yard in between. So far none of my local junk shops have turned up another suitable table! Then an idea hit me, why not use the table I have?

Squeezebelly will fit in an alcove in my house, with its lights etc, so I can use it to show off my stock when it's not being used.

It occurred to me this has the added benefit of not angering the domestic authorities with ANOTHER junk piece of furniture!

The idea is simple- an urban pickle works, with as much operating potential as possible in a very tiny space.

Key limitations-

1- Maximum track space is the same as SBL, 450mm long by 320mm wide

2- No need for any fiddle sidings etc but stock must enter from one side, as there's a hole there! It could be moved to the centre of the board. Look at the SBL thread to see what's there.

3- An exit is possible as well as an entrance- see above!

3- Can't be the same layout as SBL

4- DCC control

I am not averse to single/double slips (like a challenge!) or a 3 way point. These have only become available since I made SBL so using one would cut space.

 

So before I start messing about, anyone got any good ideas for a design I could re use or modify?

Edited May 16, 2017 by devondynosoar118

[Jongudmund]

Was this planning to be a UK pickle works? I'm toying with the idea of a North American version.

[Sun VI]

A pickle works? Why not add a jam factory and have a preserves, sorry I mean preserved, railway between them?

[Jerry1975]

This sounds interesting, looking forward to more.

 

Jerry

[devondynosoar118]

I have done some more design work. I am waiting for a piece of furniture to put it in, as soon as that arrives I will start the baseboard. I do need some suggestions for track plans in the region of 20-30'"long and up to 12" wide, with maximum operational interest. I gave struggled to find any prototype maps via searches of the net.

[Sun VI]

... I do need some suggestions for track plans in the region of 20-30'"long and up to 12" wide, with maximum operational interest ...

N gauge - which track are you working with?  Peco?  If so, code 80 or code 55?

 

Your maximum dimensions of 30" x 12", would this include fiddleyard(s) or feeds?

 

You mention furniture, would this be placed against a wall or free standing, such as a walk around coffee table?  (I haven't noticed any coffee tables walking around, but I hope you get my drift.)

 

Have you any preference for setting such as urban or rural?

 

Have you any preference over steam or Diesel? 

 

Passenger and / or freight?

 

Any preference over company / region, do you have any great feeling pro or anti GWR and Western Region and the use of Diesel railcars?

Edited July 28, 2017 by Sun VI

[devondynosoar118]

Track will be either code 55 or the Finetrax N. I have a load of salvaged code 55 so that's my top pick right now.

Running length can exclude fiddle yards, I have a plan for them. Likewise support for the boards etc is irrelevant at this stage, I have all that planned as part of the finished set up. I don't want to give too much away yet, suffice to say traditional layout presentation is not the way I approach my micro layouts! This layout will be designed to be viewed from the front, unlike Squeezebelly, which had 360 degree viewing. I like the idea of an added jam factory, might incorporate that in somehow.

I have stock for secondary passenger lines/trip working for 1930-1965 (pre tops diesel) mostly GWR/Weatern region as that's what's on the doorstep. Ideally I am not looking to buy any locos for this layout but wish I had bought a Dapol bubble car when they were out. I am more into goods than passenger workings but a bit of variety is good too.

[Sun VI]

Good morning Devondynosoar118,

Here’s an offering for your consideration, which I think meets most of your requirements. The grid is 2", track is Peco code 55. Points are the 4.84" left and right electrofrog. I've allowed for an overall size of 30" x 12" but it could be reduced to 30" x 9".

 

The idea is that it is a very small urban terminus that is served for passenger traffic by a GWR railcar and / or a 14xx plus autocoach. Neither of these would need the traverser and both would only shuttle between the hidden sidings / sector plate and the platform. For freight traffic, there is a second shunting puzzle which should work along Inglenook principles as long as you keep to shortish rolling stock. A twist here is that to assemble your freight wagons ready for departure, you have additional shunting to get them in front of the platform ready to go. The traverser would be part of the scene as with Moor Street Station, Birmingham (well you did indicate that you’d like something a little different).

I’m not too happy with the double slip as it gives very little clearance to the feeder line from SBL. The situation could be improved if the traverser was shortened by a couple of inches, it’s currently 5” long, and the layout moved to the right by that amount to provide a short and slightly curved feed between the double slip and the sector plate. It depends on the maximum length of loco you intend to run. If you’re thinking of larger Diesels, this may not be possible. Or you could drop passenger operations altogether, remove the hidden sidings and sector plate, and replace the double slip with a right hand turnout. This would reduce cost and wiring complexity too.

Anyway, I hope this gives you something to mull over.

[devondynosoar118]

OK, having looked at the excellent suggestions I had a lot to think about (hence it took months to get round to doing anything.)

I have since decided to retire Squezzebelly Lane to a display shelf upstairs, where it holds some stock and lights itself up every evening.

With that in mind and a final idea about presentation sorted I have now been able to start full planning. The board can be a maximum of 4ft by 2ft but 3’6” by 2ft is a little more practical, I am considering the excellent suggestion above for a hidden fiddle yard and might look at putting it on the back. For show use I can have two extension boards about 1’ long by 2’ wide on the ends to feed the end to end parts either by linking to the back sidings via a continuous run (tight radii) or to take cassettes.

The infrastructure for this layout and the presentation box will be designed to be fully modular so that I can fit new micro modules into it for variety, whilst using the same surroundings and maybe same fiddle yard. Open to ideas on that front.

Here is the sketch plan of ideas so far,

 

 

I haven’t produced a clear track plan yet, I do want to make use of diagonal lengths if possible.

[Guest ShildonShunter]

Hi this sounds an interesting layout looking forward to seeing more.