00 roundy-roundy - Tawbridge

 

by 10800

 

original page on Old RMweb

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Comment posted by westrerner on Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:37 pm

 

I'll try and get Dave to see what happens with his spamcan and Pullmans on Epsom tonight if I remember. I'll post results. It'll definitely take 8 Bulleids and bogie van, the Pullmans I'm not so sure about.

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Comment posted by westrerner on Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:24 am

 

We did'nt do it but I was reminded by Dave that it certainly pulled 8 Pullmans with little problem.

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??? posted on Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:33 am

 

Thanks everyone for the testing! I think there should be no problem especially if I take the working brakes (i.e. the lighting pickups) off.

 

I've been thinking again ('never a good idea - just get on with it! ') about what I will be running on this layout, and totting up the stock I already have for it and what will come in the future, and decided that:

 

1) I need more track storage in the fiddle yard to reduce the amount of crane shunting (with or without cassettes)

2) Having got the tape measure out again I reckon I can make it 2ft longer, i.e. 14ft x 7ft with a longer scenic section at the front, and still just about be able to get it up in the dining room

3) With more locomotives on the track at a given time it definitely needs to be DCC

 

So it will be redesigned at the back to have at least six roads, two dedicated to each line and two 'common' in the middle, always (at home at least) leaving a road for each line clear so I can just sit back and watch the trains go round and round. The scenic section will still just be plain track in the countryside, with a river crossing. Set somewhere in Devon on the north side of Dartmoor, there will be two sorts of traffic - Southern Withered Arm (steam) and diverted WR diesel hydraulic trains on the assumption that the southern route between Exeter and Plymouth is closed for engineering. Just have to be careful not to run the Devon Belle at the same time as the Western-hauled Royal Duchy/Mayflower/Cornishman with chocolate/cream stock And none of those Swindon green coal-burning things neither

 

To spread the DCC capital cost, I can start with having one line set for DCC and the other for DC as I gradually chip the locos, then change the DC line to DCC when I'm ready. As long as I'm diligent in keeping the two systems electrically independent ... It will be DCC for running the locos only, no sound envisaged. Probably Dynamis.

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Comment posted by stubby47 on Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:37 am

 

If your layout is a simple roundy-roundy, with no scope for shunting, and you're not interested in sound, why are you considering going for DCC ? Just curious, no axe to grind either way.

 

Stu

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??? posted on Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:47 am

 

Hi Stu

 

There could be 10 or more locos on the track in the fiddle yard, in a wide variety of locations depending on train make-up. The alternative to DCC would be to have loads of isolating sections everywhere, which starts to get inconvenient with that much motive power.

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Comment posted by stubby47 on Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:55 am

 

Rod,

 

Thanks for the answer, makes lots of sense.

 

Stu

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Comment posted by sunshine coast on Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:21 pm

 

Rod ,

sounds like a good plan especially the extra tracks in the yard ...

however I would be a bit wary of using the Dynamis...only because it requires line of sight to the receiver ...I can see you operating this from the back and front ,or moving back and forth .... just a thought ..

 

Regards Trevor ...

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??? posted on Fri Feb 20, 2009 1:27 pm

 

Hi Trevor

 

Probably operate from the middle actually (no choice at home without standing outside the window or knocking a wall down - bit like the old Steptoe & Son snooker table episode!). Even if exhibited think I could avoid those issues, but thanks for the heads up anyway

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??? posted on Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:22 pm

 

Using 'Tawbridge' or 'Tawtonbridge' as a possible name for this.

 

Trying to formulate some scenic ideas now - regular viewers will recall that this is to be a no-frills roundy roundy so I can watch trains in the landscape. So no pointwork, no station, no signals, no buildings apart from maybe a P-way hut, just a twin-track railway passing through the landscape and crossing a river. Scenic section is 14 ft long and 2ft deep.

 

The backscene will have this kind of appearance, representing somewhere on the Southern on the north side of Dartmoor:

 

 

And the visible section of the layout something like this:

 

 

The main focal point will be the river crossing, probably a twin span affair using Wills curved-top girder sections on granite piers. The river will curve to the right and have stands of trees to disguise its disappearance into the backscene. The right bank as viewed will be a 'bluff' with bits of sloughing into the river below, the left bank will be flat with cows wandering down to drink with the railway on a short stretch of embankment which dwindles out as the land rises. Maybe a 'natural' pond next to the river for cattle to stand in and ducks to swim in.

 

Left hand exit will be a minor road or occupation overbridge, right hand just a 'hole in the backscene' disguised by more trees.

 

Land will rise slightly to a high point just short of the backscene and then fall away so that you don't see the join, probably marked by hedges and shrubs.

 

Beyond that I haven't decided, but it will inevitably be a lot of grass and scrub. Suggestions invited!

 

As discussed before, trains will be of two main types covering the period 1953-1963 - Southern 'Withered Arm' steam, and early Western hydraulics on diversion between Exeter and Plymouth. Passenger services could range from a nine-coach Ilfracombe portion Devon Belle to a T9 with Maunsell P-set or a Class 22 on a four coach local of chocolate/cream and maroon Mk1s. Freight could include some short china clay trains (hooded and return empties), ballast with walrus and dogfish, and pick up goods.

 

The idea is for all stock to be RTR (I have my P4 projects to indulge in kit-building and conversion) and apart from loco renumbering, couplings, corridor connections and weathering no detail work will be done on them. Except maybe the walrus conversions from sealions. Trains won't be standing still so you won't be able to read the coach numbers easily!

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Comment posted by Graham_Muz on Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:02 pm

 

Looks good to me Rod.

 

is the proposed backscene Cosdon Beacon and Belstone Tor?

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??? posted on Thu Feb 26, 2009 3:13 pm

 

That particular view is, yes

 

There are a couple of places on a ridge just north of the A30 where you can get virtually 180 degree panoramas, this is just one shot of about 15 taken on a reccy about a year ago. The idea would be to do it properly in decent light and with a tripod and stitch the pictures together. Not easy facing south, but you always get the purply colour of the tors in the distance.

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Comment posted by Graham_Muz on Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:56 pm

 

Yes Rod I know the area well and have hiked over most of it, and spent many a night away from it all there too. Dartmoor is one my most favourite places in the UK. Certainly would make an excellent backdrop and will be doing something similar when I finally get around to my plans for Lydford Junction!

 

I really love the concept behind Tawbridge and look forward to seeing it progress.

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Comment posted by sunshine coast on Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:59 pm

 

Rod ,

I would think that in this case ,less is more,

possibly a distant signal .. intimating something further up the line ,

other than that all the effort can then go into the quality of the scenic work,well done telegraph poles,p/way hut ,lineside details ,vegetation etc...

 

Regards Trevor ...

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??? posted on Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:52 pm

 

Hi Trevor

 

I had also thought of a single distant signal somewhere, and it is appealing. CK also suggested one of the early Southern colour lights, but I don't know when they came in exactly and where (anyone?).

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Comment posted by Captain Kernow on Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:23 pm

 

Don't forget, you promised me an accommodation crossing as well!!

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Comment posted by sunshine coast on Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:16 pm

 

And a "Tea Shoppe" if I know the Captain .....

 

Rod,

just had a look in a Southern signal book and them new fangled colour lights do not seem to exist at all !!!! stick with an up and down flappy thing on a lattice post,much nicer than a pole with a bulb on.......

 

regards Trevor..

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Comment posted by Graham_Muz on Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:24 pm

 

Well the Southern Railway introduced the first four aspect coloured light signal as far back as 1926. These were mainly confined to the commuter network rather than places like the withered arm.

 

I agree with Trevor, and feel that a nice ex LSWR style lattice post fixed distant would look great just as the line heads into the scenic break by the trees. I think you need to place an order with MSE as soon as possible

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??? posted on Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:18 pm

 

You've got one on the bridge at the left end - or did you mean a flat crossing?

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??? posted on Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:25 pm

 

I like the 'fixed' bit! I'll have a word with that nice Mr Hartshorne at Railex.

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Comment posted by beast66606 on Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:32 pm

 

Why "fixed" on a double track

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??? posted on Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:58 pm

 

How did you know we were talking signals now?

 

Would that never happen then? (making it work is no problem of course, if it was appropriate to have).

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Comment posted by beast66606 on Fri Feb 27, 2009 5:02 pm

 

In signalling one can never say never just say unlikely - not sure Andrew does a range of RTP signals ...

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Comment posted by Captain Kernow on Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:29 pm

 

I think it would have been worked, Rod. A fixed distant would normally be provided in situations where the stop signals ahead of it would never have all been cleared throughout for a non-stop train. You can only clear the distant signal if all stop signals in the line of travel at that particular block post have already been cleared. It signifies a clear run ahead to the driver. If you are modelling a double track main line or secondary route to the north of Dartmoor, I think it's highly unlikely that they would have provided a fixed distant.

 

And yes, I did mean a flat accommodation crossing! When we use the term 'crossing' at work, we invariably mean a level crossing (although 'accommodation' and 'occupation' crossings are normally referred to as 'user worked crossings' these days). If you don't want a farm type crossing with gates etc. (Ratio do the bits, mind!), how about a nice footpath crossing with kissing gates?!

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Comment posted by westrerner on Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:29 pm

 

Just wondered how this layout is getting on? I do like the concept of a series of trains running through well modelled scenery.

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??? posted on Tue Jul 21, 2009 11:08 pm

 

Hi Alan

 

Thanks for the interest

 

Things have been a bit hectic on other matters this year - work, new kitchen etc - but I had planned to start building soon, probably using spaceboard as the basis of the boards. Watch this space.

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