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tracks fixed down and ballasted

On30runner

Entry posted by On30runner

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well at this point I finally figured out what I wanted to do with the track layout. Once again the list of parameters came into effect:

 

1) It had to have a means of running locos round.

2) It had to have sidings to do some shunting.

3) It had to have at least a loco siding. Narrow gauge US tends to have uncovered loco yards on logging lines, and I wanted somewhere to display locos not running.

4) I had to be able to store more than one complete train on the layout at one time.

5) NO Hornby points! I have yet to see a Tenshodo spud successfully get through one.

6) Minimum radius of 2nd.

 

What I ended up with is what you see in the first picture. I got my nice long loop by using set track 2nd radius curves for the ends of the oval and using curved points at either end. When surrounded by flexi track the set track appearance disappears. The two sidings give me a maintenance of way yard for shunting and off the end of that I have the loco spur. I broke the 5th rule once, with the point in the goods yard. Nothings derailed there yet...though it hasn't seen a SPUD yet!

 

I got all the points motorised and spent a couple of weeks playing trains. I wanted to make sure that it all worked spot on before I did anything else. Once I had done this I sprayed the track with Railmatch track grime and let it dry. I had never done this before and it made the track look considerably better. Once I had got that done I could ballast it without any problems. Ballasting is something I usually get on with quite well and this time was no exception. Point motors are Peco PL10s with Hornby levers actuating them, I find them more railway like to use than toggle switches!

 

You may (or probably may not) be wondering why I have used OO gauge track on a narrow gauge layout and not the more obvious O-16.5 track Peco make. The reason is that the Peco track is horrendously overscale for an American "main line" narrow gauge line such as this. OO track is not quite large enough but its close with its sleeper size and spacing. This is why I used it. It makes the scene look more open. The Peco O-16.5 makes it look far too crowded. I hadn't done the goods yard sidings at this point because I wasn't sure what was happening there at that point. Buffer stops on the sidings are very simple and are merely wood stained bits of balsa strip. With careful staining they look like old sleepers placed across the ends of the sidings.

 

thats all for now!

 

PS please ignore the fact that in the first picture the mogul is very clean and...yellow, and in the second has been judiciously weathered. We haven't got to that bit yet!

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Mike Bellamy
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Hi Matt

 

Sorry it's me again :icon_wave:

 

I know what you mean about the Peco track - it's too late now but when you start the next layout :icon_e_biggrin: then have a look at the MicroEngineering track that's avaiable from Paul Martin at EDM Models in code 73, 80 and 100. Points (I know I should call then turnouts) are in code 73 and 80 but for some reason not 100 :icon_what:

 

http://www.ngtrains.com/Pages/Track/track.htm#ME0n30

 

Have to declare an interest here as I help Paul with his trade stand at shows. However he's rather poorly at the moment and missed Swanley - next outing will be to Mickleover, Derby in January and then Shepton in February

 

Mike

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On30runner

Hi Matt

 

Sorry it's me again :icon_wave:

 

I know what you mean about the Peco track - it's too late now but when you start the next layout :icon_e_biggrin: then have a look at the MicroEngineering track that's avaiable from Paul Martin at EDM Models in code 73, 80 and 100. Points (I know I should call then turnouts) are in code 73 and 80 but for some reason not 100 :icon_what:

 

http://www.ngtrains.com/Pages/Track/track.htm#ME0n30

 

Have to declare an interest here as I help Paul with his trade stand at shows. However he's rather poorly at the moment and missed Swanley - next outing will be to Mickleover, Derby in January and then Shepton in February

 

Mike

 

Hi Mike!

 

thanks for the tip. I knew ngtrains sold this but I decided to stick to what I knew and carry on with the OO gauge track. I built a very nice building kit that I got from NGtrains. It went together beautifully and will appear on here in due course.

 

thanks for commenting. I don't suppose you model in On30 do you?

 

regards

 

Matt

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Mike Bellamy
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Hi Matt

 

I don't actually model anything!! I have been a member of the Mickleover Group in Derby for about 25 years which is where I first met Paul Martin and Phil Traxson (Port Wynnstay Models) who took me to Festiniog and created my interest in narrow gauge. I joined the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association and have served on the committee but apart from a couple of balsa wood coaling stages I haven't built anything. Paul's business started in a small way importing a few things from USA but has developed a lot since I started helping him at shows a few years ago which is how I have picked up some knowledge about On30. However he still has to have a day job to pay the mortgage :D

 

Have you seen the On30 Annuals that Paul has - lots of ideas there. Also the 7mm NGA have an On30 handbook designed for those starting out. I'll be manning the Assn stand at NEC with this handbook (and many other's) for sale.

 

Mike

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On30runner

Hi Matt

 

I don't actually model anything!! I have been a member of the Mickleover Group in Derby for about 25 years which is where I first met Paul Martin and Phil Traxson (Port Wynnstay Models) who took me to Festiniog and created my interest in narrow gauge. I joined the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association and have served on the committee but apart from a couple of balsa wood coaling stages I haven't built anything. Paul's business started in a small way importing a few things from USA but has developed a lot since I started helping him at shows a few years ago which is how I have picked up some knowledge about On30. However he still has to have a day job to pay the mortgage :D

 

Have you seen the On30 Annuals that Paul has - lots of ideas there. Also the 7mm NGA have an On30 handbook designed for those starting out. I'll be manning the Assn stand at NEC with this handbook (and many other's) for sale.

 

Mike

 

I will be going to Warley so will see you there!

 

Matt

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