rogerv

"One of us on the station side and the other on the fiddle yard". Haven't you forgotten someone?! And in the meantime, after telling myself "no more tweaking" I believe I have finally frozen the track plan. Next step - superimpose the terrain contouring, with a view to mocking up a 1:4 scale model to see if it really "looks right"! BTW, really chuffed to see you made use of the Superquick engine shed ... Happy New Year! Roger.

Hello again Paul. Please ignore my previous post, I now realise I was being rather lazy! I have since downloaded your "final" JPEG, scaled it to a width of 24 cm (aka 2.4m), and printed it off. The definition doesn't allow me to read the actual track section codes, though I can see they are a mixture of Hornby and Peco! So, now I can start the plagiarisation. I am going to stick with pencil and paper and my college drawing instruments( but I've left my slide rule in the loft). I've also cleared an area on my living room floor (stripped pine boards) so I can prototype "segments" of the whole thing bit by bit. Just waiting for my 4th radius curves and WS inclines to arrive ... Meanwhile, my lovely children are taking me on a steam excursion from Euston to the S&C as a birthday treat, so I'll be able to get a feel for the real thing ... Regards. Roger.

Thank you Dave (and Pat). I am constrained to 4th radius 'cos I can't go above 4ft base depth. I wonder how the Shinohara product compares with Peco Setrack 4th's ?

Thank you so much, Paul, for such a comprehensive and lucid response. After my previous post I found an earlier thread of yours which records the development from scratch. It is uncanny how closely your thinking mirrored my own after about 4 weeks of musing and sketching on graph paper! So now for the $64 question - is there any way you could send me a scaled track plan that doesn't require me to buy the layout software you used. I would happily reimburse you for the time and effort involved ... I have just downloaded the Anyrail freeware, but the learning curve seems so steep for what will probably be my first and last "serious" layout. Kind regards. Roger. P.S. Are you a rock climber or a bridge painter?!

Paul - Following my post on your current thread, I have just found this earlier thread, and followed the evolution of your design. Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, I would really like to emulate your layout, the only difference being a "homage" to the S&C by changing the topography/scenics in the LMS era . I have no experience of layout planning software (SCARM), is there any chance of sending me a "scale plan" as a starting point? I would cheerfully reimburse you for any associated costs ... Many thanks. Roger.

Good afternoon sir (I haven't picked up your real name!) I've spent a great couple of hours skim-browsing your thread. What a wonderful layout, and you seem to cover every aspect of RM ... I am a "late returner" to RM (i.e. retired, kids left home) and I am designing an 8x4 for my (newly) spare bedroom. Your design is so close to what I hope to achieve and I wonder if you can help me ... You appear to have two tail-chasing loops AND an over and under branch (goods) line - all this on 8x4? To come to the point though. Please, what are your main curve radii (they look to be Setrack), and what gradients did you end up with on the inclines? Did you do +40 and -40mm, which is what I am hoping for ... I would really appreciate the lessons of your hard-earned experience. Kind regards. Roger.

Heehee. I am NOT offended - I AM an old person!

Thank you David. Is an "OP" an "Old Person" ?! Regarding inclines I have assumed I would use the Woodland Scenics products (lumps of polystyrene?) that would incorporate the necessary vertical transitions. But you have put me on alert when you advise not to combine inclines with Setrack curves. Why not? I could shim the polystyrene blocks to provide superelevation if that is the problem ... If my arithmetic is correct no grade would be more severe than 1:64 ...

Thank you David. Just wondering what an OP is - "old person" ?! I have been assuming I would use the Woodland Scenics incline sets

BTW, the inspiration for my design is the Settle to Carlisle (where else?), because I love all the civil engineering..

Thank you so much - crystal clear! Watch this space for my next silly question once I've firmed up all the track layout. Will probably relate to incline gradients, tunnel mouths, and viaducts!

I am designing a (8' x 4') layout from scratch after an absence from RM of 40 years ! I intend to use Setrack curves and straights for continuous running lines, with Streamline short turnouts for sidings and passing loops (all curves will be hidden, straights chopped down where necessary to account for Streamline points). I think I am left with just one question ...​ I believe the track separations on the hidden curves will all be 67mm as a given of the fixed geometry, but I want to reduce this to 50mm for the straight running lines. Is there any way I can achieve this other than by using flexi to make the transitions?