simon b

A great picture which I cant post for copyright reasons, but here's a link for you. https://di262mgurvkjm.cloudfront.net/e67f128b-abca-43cd-9aa6-44a89c36f633/Holborn_Viaduct_station-SM1956_ARCHIVE~2_xgaplus.jpg

It got a little simpler as time went on, but there is scope for a very interesting layout there. I did lay it out using Tilling slip points once, it worked very well as they have a more shallow curve.

Like a London to Bedford service that use's the Aylesbury link?

I was listening to a phone in on radio 4 about this, they were asking people's thoughts on Universal building their studios and theme park there. Not once was the railway mentioned, everyone was complaining about the extra traffic and the new roads that would have to be built. Even the local MP didn't mention anything about EWR going past its doors. I'll bet the Americans are planning for a station, even if our lot aren't.

The one that I'm surprised CJF never tried to imitate is Holborn Viaduct. That has alot going for it with overall roofs, 6 platforms, and a very compact track layout. Obviously he didn't have the slip points to work with that we do now, but that is the one that most screams comutter terminus to me.

It's a good exercise in track building, but if you lay that out in streamline how much space does it really take up? I seem to remember something about very sharp curves being used in part of it.

Great layout, but it's not really an urban comutter terminus.

So to update on this. I have emailed the video to the retailer and they do agree there is definitely an issue with the loco, as such they have agreed to exchange it for another. Now in fairness to them they did also forward me a video of the loco running on their code 100 test layout seemingly without issue. I think it's difficult to see the issue properly unless you put the loco on a known flat surface, checking it whilst on the track wont properly show it. I was reluctant to try to fix this myself for a few reasons, but mainly that if I break something it wont be covered under warranty. And also that I shouldn't have to! Having had a good look at it myself, I've come to the conclusion that the bogie castings are twisted on mine. The axles are a good fit in the molding's, there being no slop as such so each axle should be on the same plane as the others. But the inner axle of each bogie was sitting at an angle with only one wheel in contact with the rail, this in turn lifts the center axle away from the track. Both bogies were exactly the same, so it isnt a chassis issue. Now to be clear, I am very happy with the models. Only one of the three I have has an issue, and it is now going to be rectified. There is obviously a quality control issue with a certain batch of locos, and I'm in no doubt that some sort of solution will be offered in time. Overall it is a great looking detailed model, which captures the look of the prototype well. I never thought we would see one of these as a ready to run offering, especially for the price that it is, and I can only applaud Graham Muzz and the EFE team for bringing it to reality. Now about that 4COR........

I posted this pic in the Flickr thread, but it does show how great a Baker street based layout could look.

So after sending my derailing cc1 back to the retailer, it has returned saying they couldn't find a problem. I've made a quick video which will be emailed to them in the morning, then hopefully it gets resolved. https://youtu.be/rpxd3AkcGz4?si=xSIowVINqr9uOcgU

Could you put a trap on the siding itself? Just a single blade sort of thing?

That's plenty long enough for a loop, your only going to be running around wagons so it wont look as short. The track plan reminds me of this: Dounreay. Now get it built!

Nope, complete waste of time that stuff. I'm still mystified as to why people use it, as soon as you ballast the track it becomes solid to the board anyway.

Modern cranes are big, very big. This is on aliexpress. https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005004101513533.html

That will work just fine, the other point can be assumed to be off scene. The trick with this build is not to overthink it, or you'll start to loose the momentum.

From the sounds of it you dont need another big project, just something different. As such I'd say something quite small would suit the bill as you can build it quickly, maybe a 6ft scenic section at most. Perhaps a single platform face with a runaround loop, then a few sidings leading off from that. Last time I had lost interest in working on the big layout I made a simple 2 platform terminus on a lack shelf with a single point. Operation didn't really matter, it was just the fact that I had completed something that I regained the lost enthusiasm.

I've never been a fan of the kick back siding from the lower platform, often thought another loco spur like this would make more sense.

Although probably not possible with 3 rail, a happy compromise if working with Peco medium radius is to use y points on the insides of the crossovers and loco spur. It still looks busy over the straight version, but doesn't have the buffer locking of the original design.

I like it, if your using the 57ft coaches the swing over a reverse curve shouldn't be that bad. Or another idea... How would it affect the plan if you replaced both of the right hand points in the platform roads with y points? That would reduce the swing further and probably square up the tracks leading off the layout?

That looks great, what plans do you have for the end of the sidings next to it?

Sheffield victoria might be another one worth a look, and if you don't want one on a viaduct Banbury has alot going for it.

The length of everything in that plan is wrong, as I said it is only to give an idea and isnt to scale. There is nothing wrong with the Oxford road plan, just trying to offer some alternative ideas that might lead to a more pleasing design.

Yep they are, it isnt to scale at all as I hit the limit of 50 track sections in free anyrail. The whole thing would need to be on a curve to fit in the 14ft length available, but the bays should ideally take a 3 car 158.

It's just another idea for you, dont feel you have to go along with any of them. It's all about designing something that you will be happy with, and suits your operating style. Some people like to play about shunting a yard, others like to watch trains run by.

The great thing about this plan is that you dont need the outer crossovers oxford road has, all reversals are done in the bay roads. You can have your freight and loco hauled passengers going around the circuits via the outer platforms, then bring out a multiple unit from the bays, do a few circuits and bring it into the opposite end bay platform. No need for multiple units to use the fiddle yard at all, saving space for freight trains. I've drawn it with a freight loop on each side, so you can overtake trains. The real station had more loops than that but it's up to you if you want to keep them or have none at all.