NoelG Posted June 20, 2018 Share Posted June 20, 2018 For next winter I've been pondering the idea of doing a smaller portable layout loosely based on Gort station around 1970. Rough track diagram below which has already been highly compressed but still requires nearly 8ft on two 18" x 4' base boards joined end to end. Old OSI map There is a fabulous photo of the station on page 29 of "Rails Through The West" from around 1970 showing a hive of goods traffic activity for what was a busy market town. Link below to photo on Ciaran Cooney's album eiretrains.com http://eiretrains.com/Photo_Gallery/Railway%20Stations%20G/Gort/IrishRailwayStations.html#Gort_20101216_004_CC_JA.jpg I've been studying as many online photos as possible get a handle on the changes over the years. One of the bizarre things is it seems (unless my eyes are deceiving me) is that the water tower was dismantled and rebuilt stone by stone further back from its original position when the railway line reopened to make way for the new longer platforms. If anybody can point me to more online photos of the track layout circa 1960s and 1970s I would very much appreciate it. If I do go ahead with this I plan to use Peco code 75 flat bottom rail and electrofrog points. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 (edited) Plans for Gort layout continue. Black'n'Tan era heaven. Track plan revised to fit initially on two 5x2ft baseboards. It will operate as a scenic shunting layout with the option of round loop in the future. It will be DCC on Peco code 75 track with ElectroFrog points using DCC concepts Cobalt IP analogue point motors, and DMC DCC dropper distribution boards made in China. Revison 11 of track plan. The inspiration for Gort layout came from this iconic Black'n'Tan era photo in Jonathan Beaumont and Barry Carse's fabulous book 'Rails Through The West' (photos shown on forum with author's permission). This early 1970s era facilities shunting of loose coupled goods stock as passing trains dropped off and picked up goods wagons with time tabling allowing enough time for the train loco to shunt stock into and out of sidings. Early 1970s the 'then' new supertrain livery might make an appearance on some trains. Here a Sulzer 101 class hauls beet wagons towards Tuam as a mixed goods train arrives from Limerick. Looking in Limerick/Ennis direction. 20ft containers were just beginning to appear in the early 1970s as evident by the single Bell container at the end of this formation. First modular baseboard constructed using WMRC method including a hot glue gun to fix the component pieces in seconds and glass tape to reinforce joints. Each of these boards takes approx 45 minutes to assemble and glue. Pieces precision pre-cut by WMRC suppliers. These boards are light and facilitate being places on their sides when working on the underside which avoids crawling under baseboards. Connectors and electronic PCBs can also be mounted on the fascia of one side for ease of access while sitting on a chair. The boards are very light. Next steps finish the second board, seal with grey primer, drill holes for cable routes, dry lay track for verification before drilling point motor holes. Its just a start, but after spending the summer pondering this idea, Gort is a go. Edited October 16, 2018 by NoelG 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirley Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Great to this project past the planning stage and it’s now happening. Looking forward to seeing it developing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 After completing two baseboards, some progress this evening 'testing' the viability of the track diagram. Roughly laid out old bits of track and tri-ang toy structures to get an idea if the track lengths would fit as intended and if the loops and sidings would accommodate the amount of goods wagons that I would need for shunting operations. Checked points did not straddle baseboard joins and cross members would not interfere with location of point motors underneath. Spend a few hours adjusting rough track positioning and lengths to see what goods wagons would fit and how shunting might operate. As a shunting layout it fits on two 5ft x 2ft boards. Approx track positions marked and point motor holes to see if they were clear of the baseboard cross members and braces. Gort Station was primarily for goods traffic with limited passenger traffic. Next up seal baseboards with paint, drill wiring holes, apply cork surface, seal cork with paint, and then dry assemble code 75 track to double check all fits. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirley Posted October 19, 2018 Share Posted October 19, 2018 This is an object lesson on how it should be done, keep posting please. 1 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 (edited) Verified and adjusted track positioning was marked on the ply baseboards, then transposed onto grease proof paper roll before the baseboards were sealed with grey primer. Next transpose verified track positioning back from grease proof tracing paper and mark where cross members are under baseboard to triple check point motors will be clear and board joins avoid points. Then cut holes underneath for cable runs for DCC power bus, point motors, lighting and signal servos. Will be using DMC 8 way DCC dropper connector boards. Frog polarity switching will be locally achieved due by use of Cobalt IP analogue point motors which have an integrated frog switch, so only a few cm of wire needed. Will be using Cobalt S point lever switches which require only two wires between point motor and lever switch. No interest in DCC point switching using daft accessory numbers on the cab control. Prefer a lever frame like prototype which leaves hands free to drive locos instead of juggle between throttle inputs and accessory inputs on cab control. Levers also provide visual and tactile feedback as to how each point or signal is set. For same reason won’t be making an LED schematic diagram as it’s not prototypical for the era. It’s just the beginning and hopefully time spent now will save more time later. The temptation to lay track and get trains running must be resisted. Edited October 21, 2018 by NoelG 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted October 26, 2018 Author Share Posted October 26, 2018 Received a DCC concepts Cobalt-S Lever point motor switch. Very impressed with these. Not inexpensive but I will only need six for the points on Gort station. These switches will operate any type of point motor including solenoids, servos, tortoise and Cobalts own IP point motors. The switches can also independently do frog polarity switching and control panel LEDs. I like the prototypical operation and tactile feel of these instead of mere toggle switches positioned on a track schematic control panel with LEDs. I hope to recess these into a mock signal box floor near the cab controller but as a visible part of the layout infrastructure. As ever Hattons seem to have the best prices by a long way. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 Gort update. Baseboards completed, trestle mounts in place, ready to transpose track layout from grease proof paper on to painted baseboard surface ready for closed cell foam track bed cutting. I elected to use common 'saw horses' as baseboard trestles as they are light, fold flat and saved me a lot of effort making them from 2x1 timber. Believe it or not the came from Amazon UK with free post and arrived 48hrs after ordered. Now everything is ready to get going proper. Baseboards now stable on trestles ready for next phases of work to proceed Trestle tops fit snugly into grooves under plywood baseboards. Each baseboard is 5ftx2ft and made out of ply using WMRC system, Gort track plan. Designed to function end to end as a shunting layout but with the future option of adding a roundie loop to join the Athenry and Limerick ends. Before the baseboards were painted I had roughly test laid some track dry to check rolling stock formation lengths in loops and sidings, transposed same on to grease proof paper so it could be transferred back onto baseboards after painting. Now to lay the closed cell foam track bed underlay. This photo was taken about 8 weeks ago when I loosely arranged track to to test length of loops, sidings, etc against rolling stock formations to see such would fit and ensure points would not sit over baseboard crossmembers underneath (ie so point motors would be unencumbered). After this track positions noted on baseboard top, then transposed on to grease proof paper for later re-instatement. Decided to paint the undersides of the baseboards today to seal them from moisture and increase stability from future warping. Also good surface for double sided tape and gluing stuff too compared to wood. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 17, 2019 Author Share Posted January 17, 2019 Timber arrived yesterday to construct some more portable baseboard sections for Gort Have to turn these bits Into some of these: 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glover Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 Noel, this is a really good piece of Irish modelling. I have one 'concern'........have you left enough space for the water tower? This to me was always a key element of Gort. I seem to remember that Irish Rail took it apart, stone by stone, and rebuilt it in a new position when the Limerick-Athenry line was rebuilt. Modern photos appear to confirm this. Regards, Glover Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenB Posted March 9, 2020 Share Posted March 9, 2020 We haven’t seen any recent updates. Are things still progressing ok with Gort? Stephen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted March 12, 2020 Author Share Posted March 12, 2020 On 20/01/2019 at 15:18, Glover said: Noel, this is a really good piece of Irish modelling. I have one 'concern'........have you left enough space for the water tower? This to me was always a key element of Gort. I seem to remember that Irish Rail took it apart, stone by stone, and rebuilt it in a new position when the Limerick-Athenry line was rebuilt. Modern photos appear to confirm this. Regards, Glover Yes and I agree it was a key element. Already have a tiny strip of the platform ramp ready to run past it. And yes they did move it when the new line was built. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 1, 2021 Author Share Posted January 1, 2021 Started building the old goods shed Balsa for the roof trusses My trusty balsa strip cutter from 30 years ago. Stone arch formed over the three arches Its quite relaxing and therapeutic working with plastic sheeting again after so many years away from it 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 After dry fitting to the station track work I wasn't happy with the building so decided to scrape the two gable ends and redo them after measuring photos of the prototype. Now is the time to get stuff like this right, otherwise it would have bugged me forever after had I bodged it to fit in the station area. Next up is the water tower. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 Mk2 version test fitted ok with track alignment . Roof trusses added in advance of roofing tomorrow. All square. Balsa makes good stable structural members for plastic and card buildings. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirley Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Well done Noel, those are buildings you will be glad you went the extra mile with them. Not sure if you have any Irish stock, (e.g. John M Models) that is wider , I got caught out that way and had to widen Goods Shed openings and platform widths. I went back to your posting last January and it was sad to see Glover's impute. I miss his postings. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 4, 2021 Author Share Posted January 4, 2021 Yes I recently noticed his comment while reading back through thread. He is In a better place now. test fit below 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 4, 2021 Author Share Posted January 4, 2021 It is gradually taking shape and just beginning to have a feel of Gort about it. Now that I'm happy with the proportions of the buildings (shed and tower structure), can spend some time finishing them off and weathering same. Now need to make a start on the station buildings, at least the structures, and keep mini projects operating in parallel. Trying to sequence the steps so everything is ready at the right phase. Lots of wiring to do under the base boards, but these can be turned onto their sides for wiring so no crawling around on the floor needed. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhb171achil Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 On 03/01/2021 at 17:18, kirley said: Well done Noel, those are buildings you will be glad you went the extra mile with them. Not sure if you have any Irish stock, (e.g. John M Models) that is wider , I got caught out that way and had to widen Goods Shed openings and platform widths. I went back to your posting last January and it was sad to see Glover's impute. I miss his postings. Glover's interpretation of a Bundoran branch surviving into CIE times was superb, and in some ways before its time. I wonder what became of his excellent models? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 8, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 8, 2021 I have only just seen your thread on this station. back in 1988 we had a cab pass so travelled on numerous lines around the country and met some wonderful railway staff including the guard on the freight that stopped for a while at Gort. Here are a few photos form that trip that may be of use for you. I do have more and will upload separately if you wish. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 8, 2021 Author Share Posted January 8, 2021 (edited) 5 hours ago, roundhouse said: I have only just seen your thread on this station. back in 1988 we had a cab pass so travelled on numerous lines around the country and met some wonderful railway staff including the guard on the freight that stopped for a while at Gort. Here are a few photos form that trip that may be of use for you. I do have more and will upload separately if you wish. thank you very much. They are very helpful. If you had any photos of the station building facade from the line side that would be fabulous. Edited January 8, 2021 by NoelG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 9, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 9, 2021 These are the ones that I took that had the station in the shots. Unfortunately back then there were no digital cameras so I had to make the rolls of film last the whole trip away. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted January 9, 2021 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 9, 2021 (edited) And a couple more that may be of use. Edited January 9, 2021 by roundhouse 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenB Posted January 9, 2021 Share Posted January 9, 2021 Some lovely detail in these photos. Is Gort where old 30 ton brake vans went to die? Stephen 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoelG Posted January 9, 2021 Author Share Posted January 9, 2021 6 hours ago, roundhouse said: And a couple more that may be of use. Thank you very much Roundhouse (sorry I don't know your name). Those photos will be a real help to me when it comes to finish off many details of this layout. Things like positioning of telegraph poles, signals, signal box, platforms, walls, fences, hedges, etc. Much appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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