Torness Yard - current day engineers yard in OO

[Departmental203]

Hey everybody,

 

I thought of giving you guys a mention about a layout I'm slowly progrssing with in my bedroom. And since it's the summer holidays   , I thought of making some decent progress with it while I have the time!! I have used Millerhill yard (not so far from home) as my insperation even though my handrawn plan looks nothing like Millerhill! (sorry it's crude!! ). I have also added a small 2 platform station (top half of the schematic) to run some DMU's too.

 

 

Scenic section only BTW.

 

Can anyone please comment on how an engineers yard looks like or its operation?   I have only based this on a few other layouts and Hoo Yard's plan . But I WILL have to make compromises, trying to fit a run round loop and 3 sidings with just 6ft of lengh!!!

It will be "Coalfishes", "Sea Urchins" and "Rudds", not "Dogfishes", "Turbots" or "Grampuses"!!!

 

Jules

Edited July 11, 2018 by Departmental203

[muddy water]

Hi! What time period are you looking at?

Yards are used to assembly trains to go out and repair/ replaced ballast and track.

So one train will have fresh ballast in hopper wagons.Another empty wagons to collect the old ballast and rails. Bogie bolsters for the new track sections. Cranes to remove track and replace it.

 

So you will need a fresh ballast siding with a stock pile of ballast (virtual quarry) with an excavator to load/unload.The ballast would arrive in large bogie box wagons from the quarry. Be unloaded in to a pile till it is needed. Hopper wagons would then be loaded up for replacing ballast directly on the track at the work site.

Another siding would be for all the waste material brought back from the work site to be sorted.

I am guessing the new track panels would come direct from the factory and might just be held in another siding till the job is ready to be started.

 

Most track replacement takes place over the weekend. So Friday will have all the relevant trains being assemblied. Saturday and Sunday the trains going out, then returning to load/unload.On Monday after completing the work and handing back the track for the service trains (No over running engineering work, please!!!). The yard would start sorting the waste material, replenishing ballast and sending any defective wagons away for repair.

 

They may be some differences depending on your time period. I have not worked on the railways,so I am sure they are others who can supply more detailed information.

 

ENJOY!

[Departmental203]

Thanks, I have been an engineer's enthusiast for almolst a year, BUT I don't know the basics of an engineer's yard!!!! Not aided by the fact I've never been to Millerhill!   I am looking at the current period so roughly 2005 onwards for the engineers operations and primaraliy use ballast boxes for new and spoil ballasts. I am building up a fleet of MFA/MHA/MTA, also ZCA "Sea Urchins", ZBA "Rudds", OBA/OCA opens and YGH/YGB "Sealions/Seacows" wagons. No IOA, IEA, JJA or JNA "Falcons"!!! They're long wagons so WILL look out of place on a small layout! I want to make it kind of realistic to my eyes so please keep commenting me! (Click wagon codes to get links for photos on Martyn Read's website)

 

Thanks for the info!....Need to start reasearching again!!

 

Jules

 

My Wagon Workbench:http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/134794-jules-workbench-mainly-wagons/

Edited November 23, 2018 by Departmental203

[Midnight-Freight]

Looks like it has the potential to be a nice little layout. Mine is of a similar theme. I'm in two minds whether to get any bogie wagons as like you point out a siding that can only hold 4, maybe 5 won't look very realistic whereas 10 mfa's looks ok. Will keep an eye on this one.

 

Joe

[muddy water]

Now you are educating me! I knew about MEA (ex HEA) and MRA auto ballasters (Bachmann). But, I have missed out on all the other M type wagons, which appear to be rebodied various other old wagons.I guess most of these are from early 2000s onwards. I try and stay with one era (80s/90s) But, find pictures online of interesting trains and end up have multiple eras!!

[Midnight-Freight]

What locos are you planning on running?

 

Edited July 13, 2018 by Midnight-Freight

[ruggedpeak]

I have a thing about 'Coalfish' wagons and have managed to acquire every version of them that Hornby has produced , prefer them to the Bachmann wagons.

 

This site has loads of good pictures of them, including showing them in yards which may help - can't show the pics as the website is locked down

 

http://picssr.com/tags/coalfish/interesting/page6

 

and in use https://gingespotting.smugmug.com/Wagons/M-Tops-Code/MHA/i-7RFpHh3

 

The Parkside "Rudd" wagon it is a nice easy kit to build to expand your fleet, and Hattons are still doing Atlas Editions machinery cheap - http://www.hattons.co.uk/stocklist/3083687/1000725/Atlas_Editions_Farming_Construction/Bargain_List.aspx Ideal for repainting etc.

 

Nice modellable yaard scene (courtesy of Smugmug  https://photos.smugmug.com/Wagons/M-Tops-Code/MHA/i-8W7tnPt/0/e0568ec0/XL/MHA_394106_a_DidcotParkway_09072007-XL.jpg ) of an MHA with Warwell in the foreground and piles of sleepers and overgrown sidings behind! Not Millerhill but typical modern yard scene.

 

 

Looks like as birds nest above the Warwell's bogie!

Edited July 13, 2018 by ruggedpeak

[Departmental203]

 

What locos are you planning on running?

 

Joe, I have a 37/4 and Ill probabally add a "dummy" 37/0 for a nuclear train, have a EWS 66 and a 56, which will be Colas' 56302 when I get an airbrush!!! I have a ViTrains Class 47, because I like the class and will probabaly be 47739. Planning to get a Class 60 and a Class 68 when funds allow! Also have a Hornby (cannot afford a Realtrack one) Class 156 in Scotrail Saltire and a 170 in the same colours. And plan to get an original Class 158, to cut the costs!!!

 

Have been progressing by mainly putting the boards up, the 3rd one needs adding!!

 

Thanks everyone

 

Jules

[Departmental203]

Should have posted this earlier to you guys though...made decent progress with the layout with the the fiddle yard and scenic board #1 up. Will put up scenic board #2 probabaly at the end of this week

 

Nothing special with the boards I made a frame using 63mmx38mm pine (I'm guessing) to support Sundella boards. The scenic boards are 120cmx60cm however the fiddle yard is 97cmx60cm due to the space (fair enough!!)

 

The legs are silver polished kitchen legs with a height of 116cm!!   (to clear the furniture below the boards)

 

Only laid one peice of track in the fiddle yard, track laying will probabaly be after the summer (going to Japan for a 3 week holiday from Monday BTW )

 

Pics here:

 

 

Scenic board #1

 

 

The fiddle yard

 

Cheers and enjoy!!!

 

Jules

 

[muddy water]

Watch out! You might scrap it all and start modelling Japanese N gauge!!

[big T]

Hi Jules

 

Seeing as youre modelling around the 2005 period - avoid anything vac braked as most engineers stuff by then was air only.

 

Not many locos had retained dual braking either.

 

I think you've covered most of the wagon types with your list, PNA's and POA's were also knocking around then.

 

If you wanted to bend the rules slightly, you could try some of these cheeky monkeys:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/24757227030/in/photolist-LcjQew-JErutF-JCeHbm-HxRWxP-HML9os-GHQhdb-ErZf3f-FgiwKT-EhaANG-E6jdJD-DgVS3r-DHHg4U-Dd4PnA-EaN4QF-E2xPyB-DZmQJ7-Dd4R1A-BGhcLY-B2xnd2-meMgwD-iJc46q-iJ7JLN-KFM1gY-K7iEsR-E65tRv-DLJix1-DMqJhm-EcQHen-DdpfJi-rWhaRx-qZh5mJ-rVr1eV-rB74cg-rCRXz3-qYCFUT-rNshX1-rNs6FU-q1ScUg-q1JbRo-pEaUhb-oKpTAj-pGgoTM-oSVyaM-oqvXt8-oezL6d-ovcv2C-nEW4em-nZd7X6-nZd9tn-nkqwsv/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/24421748574/in/photolist-LcjQew-JErutF-JCeHbm-HxRWxP-HML9os-GHQhdb-ErZf3f-FgiwKT-EhaANG-E6jdJD-DgVS3r-DHHg4U-Dd4PnA-EaN4QF-E2xPyB-DZmQJ7-Dd4R1A-BGhcLY-B2xnd2-meMgwD-iJc46q-iJ7JLN-KFM1gY-K7iEsR-E65tRv-DLJix1-DMqJhm-EcQHen-DdpfJi-rWhaRx-qZh5mJ-rVr1eV-rB74cg-rCRXz3-qYCFUT-rNshX1-rNs6FU-q1ScUg-q1JbRo-pEaUhb-oKpTAj-pGgoTM-oSVyaM-oqvXt8-oezL6d-ovcv2C-nEW4em-nZd7X6-nZd9tn-nkqwsv/

 

The good thing about engineers stuff is that you can run small consists too:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/29007853520/in/photolist-LcjQew-JErutF-JCeHbm-HxRWxP-HML9os-GHQhdb-ErZf3f-FgiwKT-EhaANG-E6jdJD-DgVS3r-DHHg4U-Dd4PnA-EaN4QF-E2xPyB-DZmQJ7-Dd4R1A-BGhcLY-B2xnd2-meMgwD-iJc46q-iJ7JLN-KFM1gY-K7iEsR-E65tRv-DLJix1-DMqJhm-EcQHen-DdpfJi-rWhaRx-qZh5mJ-rVr1eV-rB74cg-rCRXz3-qYCFUT-rNshX1-rNs6FU-q1ScUg-q1JbRo-pEaUhb-oKpTAj-pGgoTM-oSVyaM-oqvXt8-oezL6d-ovcv2C-nEW4em-nZd7X6-nZd9tn-nkqwsv/

 

Good luck!

 

Trev

Edited July 18, 2018 by big T

[Steadfast]

The best trains for modelling are the trips between yards, they can be long or short and the mix of wagons rarely make a complete train to site. Today's 6O41 to Eastleigh was 16 Lobster. Tomorrow should be a single super tench. Some days it can be a real mish mash, one of those, two of another, half a dozen of something else! Then when it arrives you've got to split them to go onto their relevant trains

 

Jo

[Departmental203]

Watch out! You might scrap it all and start modelling Japanese N gauge!!

 

When I went to Japan in 2016, I was thinking to model Kasukabe station but the idea faded...quickly!! I love the quality of Japanese N gauge models but I love British trains even more. Maybe another project!!! Pic of the main platforms:

 

https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&client=firefox-b&biw=1280&bih=910&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=8-ZQW73cEtDjkgWyk77AAQ&q=tobu+kasukabe+station&oq=tobu+kasukabe+station&gs_l=img.3...87640.92266.0.93239.7.7.0.0.0.0.124.693.3j4.7.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.1.124...0.0.f21HHQLiglw#imgrc=OFlwx9iMIomzmM:

 

Hi Jules

 

Seeing as youre modelling around the 2005 period - avoid anything vac braked as most engineers stuff by then was air only.

 

Not many locos had retained dual braking either.

 

I think you've covered most of the wagon types with your list, PNA's and POA's were also knocking around then.

 

If you wanted to bend the rules slightly, you could try some of these cheeky monkeys:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/24757227030/in/photolist-LcjQew-JErutF-JCeHbm-HxRWxP-HML9os-GHQhdb-ErZf3f-FgiwKT-EhaANG-E6jdJD-DgVS3r-DHHg4U-Dd4PnA-EaN4QF-E2xPyB-DZmQJ7-Dd4R1A-BGhcLY-B2xnd2-meMgwD-iJc46q-iJ7JLN-KFM1gY-K7iEsR-E65tRv-DLJix1-DMqJhm-EcQHen-DdpfJi-rWhaRx-qZh5mJ-rVr1eV-rB74cg-rCRXz3-qYCFUT-rNshX1-rNs6FU-q1ScUg-q1JbRo-pEaUhb-oKpTAj-pGgoTM-oSVyaM-oqvXt8-oezL6d-ovcv2C-nEW4em-nZd7X6-nZd9tn-nkqwsv/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/24421748574/in/photolist-LcjQew-JErutF-JCeHbm-HxRWxP-HML9os-GHQhdb-ErZf3f-FgiwKT-EhaANG-E6jdJD-DgVS3r-DHHg4U-Dd4PnA-EaN4QF-E2xPyB-DZmQJ7-Dd4R1A-BGhcLY-B2xnd2-meMgwD-iJc46q-iJ7JLN-KFM1gY-K7iEsR-E65tRv-DLJix1-DMqJhm-EcQHen-DdpfJi-rWhaRx-qZh5mJ-rVr1eV-rB74cg-rCRXz3-qYCFUT-rNshX1-rNs6FU-q1ScUg-q1JbRo-pEaUhb-oKpTAj-pGgoTM-oSVyaM-oqvXt8-oezL6d-ovcv2C-nEW4em-nZd7X6-nZd9tn-nkqwsv/

 

The good thing about engineers stuff is that you can run small consists too:

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58806173@N08/29007853520/in/photolist-LcjQew-JErutF-JCeHbm-HxRWxP-HML9os-GHQhdb-ErZf3f-FgiwKT-EhaANG-E6jdJD-DgVS3r-DHHg4U-Dd4PnA-EaN4QF-E2xPyB-DZmQJ7-Dd4R1A-BGhcLY-B2xnd2-meMgwD-iJc46q-iJ7JLN-KFM1gY-K7iEsR-E65tRv-DLJix1-DMqJhm-EcQHen-DdpfJi-rWhaRx-qZh5mJ-rVr1eV-rB74cg-rCRXz3-qYCFUT-rNshX1-rNs6FU-q1ScUg-q1JbRo-pEaUhb-oKpTAj-pGgoTM-oSVyaM-oqvXt8-oezL6d-ovcv2C-nEW4em-nZd7X6-nZd9tn-nkqwsv/

 

Good luck!

 

Trev

 

Thanks for the info and pics Trev, I model around 2016 ish but the pictures on Martyn Read's website can even date back to 2003!! (the year I was born). So I stretch the period anyway. The Rudds were all gone by 2008 but I have brought them into the present era just to get my hands dirty on Parkside kits!!! . Most vacumm braked engineers wagons rapidly went when EWS came in so I am aware of that too.

 

Cheers for the comments both of you!

 

Jules

 

My Workbench:http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/134794-jules-workbench-mainly-wagons/

Edited July 19, 2018 by Departmental203

[Steadfast]

Oh man I feel old...and I was born in 89!

 

Jo

[scottishlocos]

Jules

 

Good to see another Scottish Region modeller here just a few points if may

 

 

Class 37s were mostly still dual braked so they could be used with the older vac braked wagons

 

As you have said you can't model Millerhill Yard in the space you have so try modelling one small corner of it where wagons and locos are stored and repairs are carried out have a look at Slateford yard and Rutherglen engineers sidings for inspiration of a small engineers yard/depot

 

Also you could have the tail end of a few sidings covered by an override so loco comes in with a few wagons but the train is under the bridge loco runs round the train and wagons are hauled away giving the impression of a much longer train

Edited July 29, 2018 by scottishlocos

[Andrew P]

Sounds good Jules, I built a similar thing back in 2008, Kingsmill, based on the Yard at Eastleigh.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/15205-kingsmill-modern-image-engineers-yard/?hl=kingsmill

[Departmental203]

It's really been a while, cos I was away to Japan for 3+ weeks, got LOADS of spotting done!!! :locomotive:Gonna show you guys some of my favourite photos!

 

 

Odakyu 70000 series GSE Romancecar at Odawara

 

 

I actually prefer the more mundane commuters than the fast expresses!! (Sagami Ono, Odakyu 3000 series)

 

 

My No1 photo (sorry about quality!! ) Tobu 50000 series interruning at Chuo Rinkan.

 

 

Got this old roller blind recovered from a Tokyu 8500 series (I believe) from my grandma's sister. Had a friend that specialised in them!!

 

 

Tokaido Main Line at the station near our Grandma's (Kamonomiya Station) E231 (right) and E233 (left)

 

 

Seen this at....a book shop!!! N gauge 2nd hand Kehin Tohoku 3 car set (3950 yen is worth about £28!!!!!! ) If only we could get 2nd hand models that cheap!!

 

 

But I seen this HO gauge 4 car Chuo-Sobu E231 with a price tag of 34000 yen=£241! (Apparently you can buy a car for that amount in Japan!!!) Shouldn't be surprised because if anything, that's cheaper than Bachmann's new 158!!! (£289 for a 2 car set!!)

 

 

Went to the Hara Model Railway Museum in Yokohama and this is only one of many models that Nobutaro Hara built...himself!!! He learned French and German just to get to know about their railways and get model components!!!

 

 

My favourite Nobutaro Hara creation...this Hakone-Tozan electric car!!

 

Absolutely loved this holiday  but this is out of topic!!   Just wanted to show you guys about my travels!! Normal service will resume soon!

 

Thanks everyone

 

Jules

Edited August 19, 2018 by Departmental203

[Departmental203]

Sounds good Jules, I built a similar thing back in 2008, Kingsmill, based on the Yard at Eastleigh.

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/15205-kingsmill-modern-image-engineers-yard/?hl=kingsmill

 Thanks for that Andy, when I was searching for a suitable trackplan, I came across your layout and thought I could do somethimg similar to what you did. I have one question, how do you run round your locos and shunt the wagons into the sidings?

 

Will update soon

 

Jules

[Departmental203]

Finally, another update!! Sorry it's been a while but with my parents helping out (thanks to them) I got the final board up !

 

 

And again (you may notice the MHA "Coalfish project on the back burnrer!! ) from the "fiddle yard"

 

 

I have had to study for my Phisycs test yes already and whizz through my homeworks, well, I'll just have to get used to it!!!!

 

And the clutter,   well it's a mix of things from Japan and things that had to move to make way for the layout!!

 

Jules

Edited September 2, 2018 by Departmental203

[Departmental203]

Another update in a while!! Taking advantage of the holidays to review my plan....which turned into an epic fail!!! I could not have the space to fit sidings and a run round loop (for a Class 66) in a 5'x1' space!!! :fool:

 

After a brainstorm, I came up with this:

 

 

However, this meant the maximum length of train was 2x ZBA + 2x ZCA (Sea Urchin) but I least I have a plan that works !!!

 

And, this morning:

 

 

And it turned into a real mess in the afternoon!!!

 

Any comments about the plan. I'd apreccate opinions (I personaly doubt this is anywhere near prototypical!!)

 

More soon

 

[Andrew P]

 Thanks for that Andy, when I was searching for a suitable trackplan, I came across your layout and thought I could do somethimg similar to what you did. I have one question, how do you run round your locos and shunt the wagons into the sidings?

 

Will update soon

 

Jules

Hi Jules, Sorry for the VERY late reply, I had a loop and generally brought in the Train, and then either ran around, or used the 08 to pull them back into the Fiddle Yard, and push back into the sidings.

 

I hope the Track plan might help to see how it worked.

[Departmental203]

Another day of thinking about the trackpan....again!! (Why can't I decide???? )

 

I realised if I wanted two ballast loading sidings, space would be extremely tight and I might have to handbuild a 3-way turnout only 20 or so cm long!!! I think I could make a handbuild point but a short 3-way point as your first handbuilt point is going to the VERY deep end!!  

 

So, on the top, was a tweaked version of the second plan I showed you. The bottom plan actually harks back to the first plan, but no allowance for oil trains to run!!

 

 

So I looked at Andy's Kingsmill plan to see how he fit a small oil point. My plan was to fit a Fort William style oil port with two roads, each holding about 3 wagons. He used a kickback siding (is that what they are called???) so my plan is to squeeze one so it goes into the control panel area.

 

This photo will explain better than me, I am bad at explaining!

 

 

Jules

[Departmental203]

Hi all,

 

I think I have got the ideal pan (a more detailed plan may follow, hope you get the idea!!!) in my space!! Sorry, my phone (with a crap camera) is the only source of photographs!!!

 

 

Some people may think this track plan is FAR too cramped for the space available, but I had engineering stock before the plan was decided and like the idea of complex shunting sessions (NOT SIDINGS!!! :edit :nono:and I like complex things for some reason!)

 

Jules

Edited November 9, 2018 by Departmental203

[Midnight-Freight]

I like the idea of busy sidings with not much space. My first layout was a bit like that which in itself wasn't a problem. The issue was that I didn't plan what I was going to do with the scenic space I had left and so ended up trying to fill it with things that didn't really fit.

Also in my experience things can look very different once you start playing around with actual track.

I look forward to seeing things develop though, it's just my kind of layout.

 

Joe

[Departmental203]

Cheers for the comment Joe, hope your second layout goes well!

 

I was thinking I should scratchbuild the 3-way point in the middle to save space after seeing one on Jack's little Tighte End and I feel confident to solder one up!!

The problem is I am using Code 100 track so the likes of C and L and DCC Concepts only sell Code 75!!! And I am not sure if Peco's Indivudalay Code 100's track will be stiff enough to make the switch blades (I think it's better to ask in the Handbuilt Track section!!)

 

Jules