Entry posted by Richard Mawer
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Nearly two months after the move to the Oxfordshire countryside, the sorting out and housely matters have got to the stage that I can start thinking of reconstructing the railway. The only part of MK1 that fully survived was Newton Purcell, the junction. It was built in two halves, but never made it back into a whole. So achieving that goal would be a milestone.
I have spent a good few evenings designing the layout on AnyRail. The junction fits nicely across the end of the new railway room (what some folks would call a garage). That allows the double track circuit around the outside, the terminus of Buckingham West down the middle and Brackley Road at a higher level along one edge.
I learned some lessons from MK1:-
Less height difference between the levels,
Easier gradients
More support to baseboards
Don't use MDF
Don't have a complicated piece of trackwork above another complicated piece.
Use more electro frog points.
My main aims remain the same, but I have added a few more. They are:-
Line to run from Buckingham West, through Newton Purcell to the rest of the GWR system.
The junction with the rest of the GWR to be storage loops off scene.
The line is supposed to join the Oxford to Banbury line just north of Aynho, heading north.
Double track throughout the main route.
Single track branch from Newton Purcell to Brackley Road (Middle of a field miles from Brackley).
GWR 1930s.
Keep 4-6-0s to a minimum.
Allow the odd ex GCR loco to run in from Banbury
To be operated by 1 to 3 or possibly 4 people.
Bell codes to connect operators - so they take the primary role of signalmen.
DC.
Gaugemaster simulator controllers.
Receiving signalman controls the train via cab control.
All main signals to work.
Signals to alter cab control permissions.
Run to a timetable, not just a sequence.
Speeded up Time to run on a PC via FastClock.
Mainline to be 43 inches off the ground.
Different levels to be 3 inches apart.
Gradients to be no greater than 1:75.
Control panels for points and signals to resemble signal box lever frames.
Open frame/L girder baseboards.
Lifting flap across doorway - no duck-under.
Turntable at Buckingham West.
Increase storage loops to 9 or 10.
Dumbbell reversing out of loops.
Route selection on loops.
Loops to be hidden under scenery.
Quarry off scene near Newton Purcell.
Stick to steam days rules of as few facing points as possible:-
Trailing entrance to goods yards.
Double junctions not single and facing crossover.
Have lots of private sidings.
Movements of goods stock not to be random.
Curves no sharper than settrack 4th radius.
Curves to be larger radius where seen.
Medium and large radius points on running lines.
Signals and points to operated by servos using MERG electronics.
Space in goods yards.
Carriage sidings at Buckingham West.
Code 100. (I have some older stock).
Stock to be lightly weathered.
Only one or two aims to build in!!!!!!!
And so the fun begins.
Here are some photos showing the coming together of the two halves of Newton Purcell, and the station in its rightful place, ready for further expansion.
I have idea why the first two are on their side, but I can't change them.
Thanks for reading and I'll keep you posted.
Rich
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