Double Decker

[Gypsy]

Waiting for things to dry/cure on my Boxfile Challenge piece has given me the time to think about other ideas.

 

I've wanted to build another layout for years but never had the time or space. I still haven't got that much time and I've got even less space but I thought I'd give it a go anyway.

 

My first thought was an Inglenook shelf for the operating interest but that would not give anywhere for trains to go round on their own or to run in new locos. Then I had a flash of inspiration - do both, one on top of the other!

 

The plan is for the circle/oval to be a narrow gauge mine track going along a mountainside before going underground and round a cavern with a lake in the middle - viewing the outside from one side and the inside from the other.

 

The Inglenook I'm not so sure, I really like some of the RNSD munitions depot stuff I've seen, so it might be something like that or maybe just a simple mine head.

[Gypsy]

This is where I'd like some advice. Not the most complicated track plan but I want top get the wiring sorted in my head before I start cutting and laying anything.

 

Would a small yard like this have point motors in the second half of the 20th century?

 

Would there be any sort of signals?

 

If I put magnetic un-couplers in where should they go?

[Alex TM]

Hi Gypsy,

 

Welcome to the weird world of RMWeb.

 

If I remember correctly one of the Peco trackplan books has an idea for a layout doing just what you described in your first port, i.e. an inglenook and roundy on two different levels.  Sorry, but I can't remember if it was the 00 or N setrack version.

 

If you're sticking with 009, and why not, then it may be worth hunting out a couple of articles in the RM from a couple of years ago (?) where someone built an 009 model based on one of these depots.

 

Good luck with this.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

[cklammer]

The Peco plan is shown over at the New Railway Modeler's Forum (images linked from there):

 

 

 

Best Regards,

Christian

 

Aunt Edith says: just adding this remark on circle radii and layout sizes: I have played a little bit with three different circle radii and the resulting layout sizes as I do not trust these old hand-drawn manufacturer's plans; I used the three Märklin-H0-M-track radii - without cluttering up Gypsy's thread further my findings:

 - Märklin M-track industrial radius 286 mm (R0): the resulting layout plan 65 cm x 65 cm looks stunted with the yard severely abbreviated. IMO not nice.

 - Märklin M-track radius 1 360 mm (R1): The resulting layout plan 80 cm x 80 cm look cramped with the yard visibly shortened: IMO doable but tight

 - Märklin M-track radius 2 437 mm (R2): The resulting layout plan 95 cm x 95 cm looks in it's proportions like the drawn above: IMO this is the path to take

Edited December 15, 2017 by cklammer

[Gypsy]

Thanks guys - clearly it wasn't a new idea at all!

[Alex TM]

Hi again,

 

It's a good idea developed into another good idea.

 

Regards,

 

Alex.

[Sturminster_Newton]

Original design is described as being built on 3' x 3'; tight but feasible in OO, working possibility in TT and luxuriously easy going in N.

 

Built in N would allow a double track section with single track section over the bridge running into a station with passing loop.

 

If the main circuit was built for 009 the line can dog leg to pass over the yard bridge span and weave about on its transit without it beng contrived.

 

Built on 4' x 3' would be better for OO as it gets the off-stage fiddle yard out from under the hidden loop of the elevated circuit which may have issues with adequate support as drawn.

 

4' x 4' would allow a R2 set track circuit which is preferable, unless you have some old OO stock without pin point bearings and split wheel sets.

 

The latter allowing the inner and outer wheels to rotate at their own speeds so limiting the wheel lock than can derail light items of stock forced to roll round curves continuously...

 

By using a simple interlock between the lower and upper circuit, the upper circuit train can be triggered by the lower locomotive delivering its shunted train into one of the empty off stage siding(s).

 

I'd build the shunting yard on a 1:50 gradient which would give a reason for the short trains operated.

 

It would also explain why the line crosses the road on the level and the road passes over the line on a road bridge...

[Sturminster_Newton]

Thanks guys - clearly it wasn't a new idea at all!

Not much is, although all the plans in magazines and plan books are a basis for your own interpretation.

 

When it comes to micro lines roundy roundy or scuttle abouty is pretty much the choice available.

 

Could invert it so the shunting goes on above an underground roundy round line...