Flint Hill: Modern Image Nuclear Power Station Terminal - OO

[MattBlack33]

Nothing wrong with taking more time on the track planning stage.

 

My current plan is probably into its 11th iteration, with more tweaks to finish before the track gets laid (well built in my case).

 

Once you've put it down you're stuckwith it it. Getting some templates, flexible track and laying them down to see how they look and using stock to check clearances can  be a real help at times no matter how much time you put into planning in computer software.

 

I'm beginning to realise that now! I've convinced myself that I've had the 'ideal' layout so many times now, then found prototype pictures of something I think would look great, then I'm back to square one again. I'm also seeing the discrepancies between the software and the real thing too!

Looks good.

 

Only you can decide if you like it.  But like Kelly said - check stock will fit and clearances are enough.  Also try imagining operating the layout and would it work how you want it to!

 

One query I have is, has the articulated lorry got enough room to turn? 

 

Simon

 

My latest iteration has been changed slightly to include a greater turning space for the artics. Although the Torness loading area on which mine is based has a suprisingly small turning area for its trucks. I'll post my latest attempt tomorrow.

 

Do you have any prototype/ basis photos of the nuclear site?

 

Cheers

 

Ollie

 

I don't have any that I have taken personally, most of my reference pictures I have found online using a combination of search terms such as "nuclear flask loading" and by using Google Earth (for track plans and in some cases Street View images). This RMweb thread was also handy for reference. My technique was to acquire a list of all routes running flask trains and search for the origin power plant - Greenpeace have kindly listed all of these. Then, by using Google Maps I was able to locate the loading areas by eye by searching for the nearest mainline from the power plant and following it until I found the yard/loading area.

[Psiborg]

Just looked on Google Earth...  It looks like they turn left when they have entered the compound and reverse under the crane.  When leaving they just drive out turning right through the gate!

 

Look forward to seeing the new version of the plan

 

Simon

[MattBlack33]

Just looked on Google Earth...  It looks like they turn left when they have entered the compound and reverse under the crane.  When leaving they just drive out turning right through the gate!

 

Look forward to seeing the new version of the plan

 

Simon

 

Thanks for looking, Simon. Because of the limited space, I had assumed that the lorries would reverse out onto the road (on my layout) but after seeing your comment and having a look at some of the other flask loading sites, I have incorporated a number of sites into a new design which fits well within the space without it being too contrived. One particular site I had not looked at before was Bridgewater. Interestingly it seems to be in the middle of a residential area?! The satellite image of the site shows a loop for trucks to turn around in, so I have added this to my most recent plan, using measurements from Google Maps to replicate the same dimensions on my layout.

 

So here's the most recent plan, which I have to say works very well for me:

 

Redeauxcloseup

 

I have also added a stabling siding to the NR area so that a couple of locos/the yard's Class 08 can be stored on the layout and have repairs done before they head out. The lorries can now turn within the yard around the loop and drive out the way it came in. I have also seen some reference pictures of police being on site whilst flasks are being loaded. Therefore the vehicle closest to the yard gate will be a police van with a couple of armed officers guarding the yard. The yard also has some 20ft containers to the right hand end with some parking places for the crane crew. I am toying with the idea of having a dummy mainline in the bottom right corner, however I will decide on this later as I have a few ideas for this place.

 

So, with this plan in mind I decided to print it out and try it out to test whether it would fit, and if the clearances worked. Here are a few pictures showing this:

 

20170722_215954

 

Long shot of the whole yard: empty IOAs waiting to be taken away after unloading ballast at the yard. MEAs in the stabling siding full of scrap from the site.

 

20170722_220005

 

Interestingly the MEA box is around the same dimensions as the traversing crane so I have included this for reference.

 

20170722_221301

 

20170722_221318

 

View of the yard from under the bridge - yet to decide whether this will be a decomissioned railway bridge or a road bridge.

 

This plan works, it does what I want it to do so I think this might be the one I settle on. Comments, queries and critiques welcomed!

[Psiborg]

It looks good, and you seem happy with it doing what you want (which is the main thing)

 

You may be onto a winner!

Simon

[Zomboid]

I might mirror the virtual quarry side, so that the stone pile and loading are the other side of the track from the nuclear facility.

[MattBlack33]

I might mirror the virtual quarry side, so that the stone pile and loading are the other side of the track from the nuclear facility.

I see what you mean, it makes it look like all of the sidings were part of a bigger site in the past if I arrange them this way:

 

 

I do prefer this and it also means that I have opened up a bit more space for yard-related goings-on!

 

I printed out the above plan to lay out on my boards. This has allowed me to start thinking about how I would like to model some of the scenics and add to a full sized plan rather than relying on AnyRail (I find it easier to work out sizes etc if it is in front of me).

 

 

 

I managed to have an hour or so to put the backboards on, I am going to order some ID Backscenes, backscenes at some point over the next couple of days, just trying to work out which one would be best for the location. Pictures for proof

 

 

 

I am wondering if anyone has any ideas regarding what I should do with the far right of the board (the bit before the bridge). I was thinking about putting some sort of river/drainage ditch there as I'd like to have a go at modelling some water, but I would have to raise up 80% of the board just for this little bit and I don't want to add too much weight to it. My idea was to split the board into thirds, and have five scenic points of interest in each to maintain interest, but I don't want things to be there just for the sake of it.They can be as small as a couple of drivers talking to eachother, or as large as the artic under the crane. Hope this makes sense? Ideas appreciated!

 

David

[MattBlack33]

The delay in buiding track has been a Godsend! I've rethought and redesigned Flint Hill Yard so many times since the last post that the latest version is looking very different, yet still retains the original points on my checklist.

 

 

The flask loading area is now more like Bridgewater in its dimensions and look. I felt that this fit in with the yard better and the runaround and headshunt mean that there can be more movements when the flasks are brought in and loaded.

 

The Network Rail yard has stayed more or less the same, and I have based on the Arcow quarry site and intent to incorporate the loading stage shown in this image:

 

Taken from http://www.foscl.org.uk (© Mark Harvey, 206).

 

I know Flint Hill isn't a Virtual Quarry per se, but I liked the simplicity of the above and wanted to incorporate it into the layout.

 

The upper yard has its own fiddle yard, but can be accessed via both fiddle yards. These are essentially off-scene marshalling yards for the full trains to be made up as the yard sidings are relatively short for ballast trains.

 

Comments, critiques and questions welcome!

Edited August 10, 2017 by MattBlack33

[Psiborg]

I like the Flask unloading area better like this, It's looking good!

 

Simon

[MattBlack33]

Thanks, Simon. I'm trying to decide whether I should just make the layout purely a flask loading yard. I want to display a variety of stock which was the rationale for having the PWay yard too! Decisions, Decisions!

[MattBlack33]

Good afternoon! 

 

I have made a 'few' changes to Flint Hill over the last few weeks following my move to a new house...with more space!

 

 

 

 

Firstly, the new spare room is much wider than I first thought so (naturally) I have extended the layout by 4ft (now three 138cm boards instead of two). With this extension also comes a number of changes to the track plan which I hope will liven up potential moves and make the layout more interesting rather than just having Locos pulling wagons into sidings and out again.

 

Flint Hill the layout now represents a terminus for a recently built (fictional) EDF nuclear power-station off the ECML in North East Scotland. It is divided into three sections: the rail access yard and virtual quarry, Flint Hill station, and the nuclear flask terminal. 

 

The rail access yard is a multi-purpose yard, which can be used by the power station to transport equipment to and from the site; to load up rail engineering works; and for other contracted work (e.g. aggregates for local building projects). A warehouse on site provides temporary storage for these items. To the north of the yard is a small virtual quarry, again for transporting materials for engineering, ballasting and construction. The idea behind this was to have a greater diversity of stock beyond ballast wagons.

 

Flint Hill station was part-funded by EDF with the view to improving transport links between the power station and the rest of the country. Local sprinter services run regular trips to the station along with the odd railtour and semi-regular national services. As with the yard, I wanted to diversify traffic and this would provide an excellent opportunity to add in some passenger services. 

 

Finally, as with all iterations of the yard, the flask terminal remains largely unchanged. Flask trains gain access to the yard by using platform 2 as a headshunt like at Bridgewater. 

 

I know this has complicated the layout somewhat, however my circumstances have changed and I thought I would prefer to build a larger, longer-term layout with many elements rather than a smaller, simpler layout. I also realise I may be breaking the cardinal sin of trying to fit too much in, however to my eye it all makes sense and with it being based on a number of prototypes, is fairly realistic.

 

My next task is to print out the plan and have a play around with it with some stock on it, check for clearances etc. My lack of opportunity to get cracking with the actual build has meant that I am slowly buiding up my stock and loco fleet, the re-purposing of the yard and addition of the station will mean I will be accumulating a larger and more diverse array of traction! 

 

Again, any pointers and suggestions are greatly welcomed. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

David

[MattBlack33]

Good evening everyone,

 

Flint Hill has taken another turn as the track planning stage rumbles forwards. As the thread shows I have gone through many iterations, each with their pros and cons. After setting up my baseboards I set myself the challenge of incorporating the fiddle-yard into the current set-up rather than having to build any more to make it even easier to transport when the time comes (or if anyone ever wants to see it) to exhibit the layout. Here is the latest installment:

 

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The fiddle-yard - in orange - is hidden by steep cliffs with the entrance to the layout being represented by a tunnel portal. The station has been downsized and will no longer be taking the longer, Voyager/ Class 37 services. It is more of a smaller branch terminus - I had Thurso in mind as a prototype for the building and platform areas. I think everything else is fairly self-explanatory so I will leave it at that for now. If anyone has anything to say I'd appreciate any feedback.

 

 

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