Steam_Julie

Incidentally whilst changing the layout plan, the version of AnyRail was upgraded to version 6. If this had happened earlier it would have made the design process easier, because of the 3D design features added. Julie PS BUT that's life!

When the blanks were cut out and they were offered up to the toolbox to check they fitted, the design size was found to be over optimistic. The final size is 500mm x 160mm. The total outside measurements of the box will be 510mm x 170mm. The above size is narrower than the expected during the initial design study. Below is the previous design. This has been made necessary because, it is difficult to accuracy measure the dimensions of a tapering container. It is critical that the layout will fit into the toolbox for transport, with damage occurring during insertion or removal, as well as in transit. In order to get the desired track and scenic features into the available space, I will have to use forced perspective. Using this technique objects, that are further away from the viewer, have their size decreased, thus increasing the sence of space. The canal will have to be narrower than the scale width, but if any barges are narrower too, this will not be obvious the the viewer. This allows more space for features which cannot be reduced in width, such as the track. The distance between tracks and the between tracks and buildings can however be slightly reduced. This is turning into an exercise of squeezing a quart into a pint pot! There is a stone wall between the canal and the railway line, DMU Shuttle, line. Currently I am relaying out the track and scenic components to check that they will fit. Once this has beencompleted the baseboard board will be cut, to allow for the differnt levels. The baseboard will then be assembled and pained a neutral grey colour, track laying will then commence, starting with the DMU Shuttle track. Julie

What's Pong doing these days? Julie

After looking around for toolboxes, I have bought one very similar to the one used in the Toolbox Layout blog, it might even be the same design? A link to which is shown below. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111658-a-model-railway-in-a-toolbox/ I need to take the layout, to the model railway club, using public transport, and hence the toolbox format being so useful.The available layout space is 520mm (Length) x 220mm (Height) x 180mm (Width). As show from my planning this should be large enough for an interesting layout, scenic section. The fiddleyard, i.e. the hidden sidings will be extra and will be constructed as a folding unit, to be carried in some sort of bag. The photo below shows the boxes, in the bottom of the toolbox. The space above is the space available for the scenic section of the Holloway Goods layout. The intention is to use these sandwich boxes to hold some stock, small modelling tools, current models and modelling materials, to know where they are and so that they don't get damaged in transit. I'm in two minds whether or not to provide some form of fixing to stop them moving about in transit? That a question for future consideration. Julie

Like the point control system. Neat trick removing the board from the tray. Good progress, I look forward to more developments! Julie

You can achieved the planning and checking that a layout design works, without the need for computer simulation, but since I am a graphic artist, I choose to use he tools of my trade, to perform the task. I am now satisfied ta the design will form he basis of a excellent layout. In addition to my own work, two articles were published in 'Model Rail' which have provided useful information. I have of course carried out extensive internet research, read several books on the line and visited the site twice. Julie

The shuttle is designed to add more movement to the small scenic area, so that hopefully it will keep he view better entertained. Starting from the layout plan, the front of the layout is the top of the plan. The passenger shuttle line enteres the scene, RHS at the side of the layout box, but on the LHS the track enters about 1/3 along the back of the scenic section. The first image shows the slot for he train with a blue background behind. The train can enter the scenic area, but the entrance is too obvious. Click on the simulation, to re-run it! The image below shows a second copy of part of the backscene image behind. Whilst the slot is shouts out less, it is still visiable. Some trees are added to hide the RHS edge of the stage opening. This has the effect of making it a little less obvious, but it is still visiable to viewers of the layout. By lighting the space between the second backscene and the back of the main onecarefully the scenic entrance can be made to complety disappear, and the train can now enter the scene as if it is appearing from behind a stand of trees and bushes. The simulation below, shows how the shuttle can enter and leave the scene without drawing attention to how this is acheived. The possibility of further action, by making a barge on the canal also move, was examined in the Ruston Quays blog, click on the link below for more information, dated 4th may 2016. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102137-ruston-quays/page-6 Julie

I assume that the one with the Farish set, will be a simple DC one. That means that the voltage will be increase or decreased as the control knob is turned. Whilst this is OK for a trainset user, you might not be happy with it, as it is difficult to get good low speed operation. It will require the track to be cleaned on a frequent basis. Pulse type controllers are better, for slow running, but it is important to get one designed for N Gauge, as ones designed for larger scales can sometime burn out N gauge motors. You should be beware of using feedback controllers with N gauge loco's too, as they can damage your motors. The best controllers, for N gauge are Pentrollers. These were designed by Stuart Hind, who at the time was the technical wiz at the Pendon Museum. A new version has recently come onto the market. These definitely will not damage N gauge motors. DCC has the advantage of a constant voltage on the track and excellent slow running, even creping along is achievable. But you do have to be able to fit the decoder, without damaging the loco, or have a model shop who offer a fitting service, with warranty. I hope these comments are useful. Julie

Instead of the complicated pointwork in the fiddleyard, this could be replaced wih the arrangement shown below.This would require a Peco Loco Lift to be regauged to N Gauge. The format of a fiddleyard is very much driven by the personal prefences of the builder, there is no right or wrong design. The scenic section will be built on a box, which will be built to fit into the toolbox. The background is a simply blue painted on. View blockers have been added at both side of the scene, on the left is a building. This existed in the real location, it was a workshop to repair wagons, the right blocker is a group of tree. These tress don't block the view completly, like the building, but they will help desguise the train entry hole inn the backscene. Background-3.jpg][/font] The final one shows the blue background being replaced with a photographic one taken in the Peak District. The simulation show a train of empties entering the scene, from the junction wih the main line. Julie

Since the last entry I have proceeded with the simuation of the layouts operation. looking at the sequence of the incline opeeration, in the first posting, I have noticed that there is a slight error, in that the operation from the yard loop to the hidden loop should have a brake van at the back of the train. This sequence will be modified to rectify this. The simulation has now been split into two parts so it can be downloaded! Click on the link below to see the shunting simulation. To start the simulation of the shunting operations, click on the link below. Click on the above image to view part 1 of the Goods Train Simulation. Click on the above image to view part 2 of the Goods Train Simulation. I could not upload the goods train and shunting sequence to rmweb, because the file is too large. I will have to examine it and re-edit it before it cn be uploaded. I have also had he thought that, the siding at the back and the loop, could be replaced with a cassette and two disconnected sidings. The spare stock siding is to allow for changes to be made in the incline operation. Explosives for quarrying operations were conveyed in covered wagons and water was moved up the incline, to supply the stationary engines, locomotives and houses associated with the railway. At the highest part of the railway, water supplies were very limited, especially in the height of summer. The DMU or Push Pull reversal sidings will have to be extended, as currently they are too short, to allow the train to go completely off scene. Julie

What type of control, are you going to use on your layout, DC or DCC? Julie

I stared to think about micro shunting layouts as a result of reading the article on Ruston Quays. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102137-ruston-quays/page-6&do=findComment&comment=2367143 This seemed to have very limited operation possibilities, despite having a upper level operated by a shuttle unit. I wanted the possibility to run the goods train on and off scene between shunting sequeces. My first design is shown below. I was impressed by the idea of building a micro layout, that could be transported and stored that fitted into a toolbox. This offered he posibility of storing the layout, stock, mdelling tools and materials in a single unit. The layout above was designed to fitinto a very small really useful box for storage and threansport. I was inspirated, by the blog found at the link below. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111658-a-model-railway-in-a-toolbox/ This new format gave me significantly more space to play with and I then set about redesigning the scenic section of he layout. I felt that I needed to check that the proposed track plan would meet my requirements, before starting to lay track. I therefore decided tobuild simulations to check this out. So far I have built the simulation for the operation of the rope worked incline, I am crrently working on the simulation for the local goods, from the junction to the quay side sidings. Julie Larger versions of the layout plans

Micro layouts are more fun that massive ones, because they can be built on the kitchen table, completed in a manageable time frame and don't cost an arm and a leg. Julie

Didn't know Mr York had an interest in 2mm finescale? Julie

Nice one Ian. Julie

My you have patience! Julie

You really do have the ability to think outside the box. This of course is the driving force behind new ideas and techniques. Keep up the excellent work, because my modelling was in he doldrums. You have given me a kick up the backside. Thank you. I've looked at your offsite blog, I am impressed by your work, you apply a wide variety of techniques. Many modellers are either in the card or plastic sheet / kit camps. Have you considered making a complete scene, behind the track as a complete unit, complete with backscene and then that opens up the possibility of having several different scene, say a brewery, china clay dryer etc. Have you concidered modifying the Peco Locolift for N gauge? Julie

The new trackplan supplement of course has a drawing of Ruston Quay on the front. I think BRM should do a micro layout issue. The layout in a toolbox is another way, which is innovate of presenting a micro layout. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111658-a-model-railway-in-a-toolbox/ Further developments in Holloway Goods, based on Cromford Goods, inspired by Ruston Quays, can be found at. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/2062/entry-18087-checking-the-design-before-laying-any-track-2/ Julie

Really useful boxes are good, but it depends on if you need to move the layout about or not. If you do and you only have access to public transport the toolbox ix a better idea. I looked at using a Really Useful box and then putting it in a holdall for transport. The problem was difficult to find a holdall that would take the box, without it becoming unwieldy. Another possible problem is the sizes of the boxes follow a formula and you can often get a box the required length and width but it is too shallow. The toolbox seems in 2mm scale to be a very useful size. The depth of toolbox also allows rolling stock, tools etc. to be carried in the same container. At the end of the day, it's a case of if the container meets your needs! Cutting the handle off, or making you baseboard fit into the toolbox will give you more flexibility too! But you will need to have a means of removing it from the box. Julie

There is no reason for a long scenic section. At the end of the day it what floats your boat that matters. Julie

The fiddleyard will be constructed as a flat unit with a recess for the scenic module to fit into. I envisiage the two track boards will fold inwards to protect them whilst in tranist. Add a handle to carry and they can be moved by bus, train or ferry. The module size, using a toolbox format will be slightly longer than shown in the design, dated 24th June, in his blog. Julie

You might want to look at my entries on http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/102137-ruston-quays/page-6&do=findComment&comment=2350180 I am planning a project which is based around a Ruston Quays theme, but stored and transported in a toolbox. This is because I need to be able to transport it and I don't have a car, so it needs to be able to be carried as hand luggage, on trains, busses and ferries. Julie

The diagram below shows how the layout fits ino the toolbox. The layout in a toolbox thread can be accessed by using the link below. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111658-a-model-railway-in-a-toolbox/ Julie

Another layout design of the theme of a canalside yard and a passenger shuttle, but this time based on Cromford Goods, as recently examined in Model Rail. The model is designed to be N gauge and the total layout size is 880mm by 450mm. The scenic section is designed to fit into a 22 litre Really Useful plastic box for transport, thus it's size of 360mm by 200mm. The design was carried out using Anyrail, using settrack components. If built using the settrack points and flexible track, the track will look more realistic as the track spacing can be made correct and slight curves can be introduced, making the track flow. It is necessary to introduce a slight down gradient on the DMU shuttle track to give sufficient run to hide it at the RH end of the run. I envisage that the clearance is the minimum to allow the unit to pass under the fiddleyard track and that in the event of derailment the unit would be pulled clear of the over track, before it being re-railed. I think that the shuttle track should be slightly below the level of the canal, to allow the trains to be seen from normal viewing position. At the prototype location the track is about 16' below the canal level, behind a stone wall. Julie Based on the above design and using the idea from Hornby Magazine, Readers Projects, Bishopsdale in my opinion would produce an interesting project in N or 2mm finescale which could me made to fit into a toolbox. http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/111658-a-model-railway-in-a-toolbox/ Julie

I've seen layouts where barges have moved, but I think they have made the mistake of having too much movement. This has often been too regular! A little occasional movement, I think is much more effective, both because it is unexpected by the viewer and more realistic too. Julie