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Dave Cannon's O Gauge Shunting Layout


south_tyne
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I'm searching for information about a small O gauge layout built by the late Dave Cannon. I don't know the name of the layout but I understand it was included in the Second Small Layout publication produced by The Guild (unfortunately I don't have access to this book at present, so I have been able to see the said article). 

 

The plan was evidently based around a loop with two sidings facing in alternate directions. A system of cards was used to determine which 'spots' wagons needed to be shunted to as part of the operation. 

 

I appreciate it is somewhat of a longshot, but does anyone have any further information anout, or photographs of, the layout? I would love to learn more about it as it sounds as though it could provide inspiration for my own small project. 

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance or help anybody is able to provide.

 

David

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2 hours ago, hartleymartin said:

Was it "Wild Swan Yard" you were thinking of?

Excerpt from GOG Small Layouts: http://www.gauge0guild.com/small_layouts_1-02.pdf

Wild_Swan_Yard_GOG_Layouts.png

 

Hi Martin,

 

Many thanks for your reply. I was aware of Wild Swan Yard and I think the other layout is very similar! I have a hard copy of the first Small Layout Book with the above layout, but it's useful to be reminded of it. Ultimately there are only a few ways you can arrange four points I suppose! I am going to do some planning on paper with some point templates - the Peco setrack points should allow the Wild Swan design to be squeezed a little more. 

 

I have read in The Gazette recently that a third volume is currently bein prepared. It will be great when that is published. 

 

Thanks again for your help! :good_mini:

David

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There was a 4mm scale layout which was similar and used a card system to allocate wagons to different locations. It was based on an industrial location. Shunting puzzles can be lots of fun, but sometimes they can be a little contrived. All that said, rule #1 applies. It is YOUR layout, and YOU run it the way that YOU like it!

 

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3 hours ago, hartleymartin said:

There was a 4mm scale layout which was similar and used a card system to allocate wagons to different locations. It was based on an industrial location. Shunting puzzles can be lots of fun, but sometimes they can be a little contrived. All that said, rule #1 applies. It is YOUR layout, and YOU run it the way that YOU like it!

 

 

Enigma Engineering?

 

Gordon A

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5 hours ago, hartleymartin said:

I had made plans for a light railway layout based on this design, but all model railway projects had to be shelved about 2 years ago due to unfortunate changes in life circumstances. The up side, is that if everything goes well in 2019, I'll be right back into it!

 

It's a lovely design. There was a layout called Ivydale (All Hallows) which featured in the December 1996 Railway Modeller that used the same basic trackplan. It was Gauge 3 standard gauge and was absoutely superb! My favourite layout of all time and still an inspiration more than two decades later. That was also a light railway terminus and had so much atmosphere. 

 

I hope that 2019 sees you able to return to modelling. I also had a terrible time last year but am looking forward and planning a new project following a severe illness - it should aid my recovery!

 

I hope you get started soon and can share your progress on the forum. Are you planning an Australian light railway project?

 

5 hours ago, hartleymartin said:

There was a 4mm scale layout which was similar and used a card system to allocate wagons to different locations. It was based on an industrial location. Shunting puzzles can be lots of fun, but sometimes they can be a little contrived. All that said, rule #1 applies. It is YOUR layout, and YOU run it the way that YOU like it!

 

 

1 hour ago, Gordon A said:

 

Enigma Engineering?

 

Gordon A

 

Thanks both. Yes it is Enigma Engineering - there was an article in RM a few years ago detailing how the layout was operated. I am sure there was a thread in here too. I'll try and find it! 

 

Thanks very much for you input.  

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2 hours ago, Gordon A said:

 

Enigma Engineering?

 

Gordon A

 

Please any idea what the board dimensions would be in 4mm ?

 

I fancy building a small industrial shunting layout other than the normal Inglenook track plan.

 

Eltel 

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8 minutes ago, Northroader said:

Funnily enough, there’s a layout just started running a thread in the Continental section using the same layout, only one siding disconnected, a Czech TT passenger station,

 

 

Thanks for that link, I'll have a peruse.... 

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8 minutes ago, ELTEL said:

 

Please any idea what the board dimensions would be in 4mm ?

 

I fancy building a small industrial shunting layout other than the normal Inglenook track plan.

 

Eltel 

 

 

See a link here: Enigma Engineering - Layout & Track Design - RMweb

If I remember correctly it was about 120cm in length in 4mm scale. Smashing little layout. I am sure others will be able to give more input. The builder (Paul) definitely posts on here!

 

It definitely offers something different to the standard inglenook design. 

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2 minutes ago, south_tyne said:

 

 

See a link here: Enigma Engineering - Layout & Track Design - RMweb

If I remember correctly it was about 120cm in length in 4mm scale. Smashing little layout. I am sure others will be able to give more input (the builder definitely posts on here!)

 

 Many thanks

 

At a touch under 4ft in old money sounds like a possible candidate.

 

Eltel 

 

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6 minutes ago, ELTEL said:

 

 Many thanks

 

At a touch under 4ft in old money sounds like a possible candidate.

 

Eltel 

 

 

 

Yes that sounds about right (apologies for the metric). As ever with a stinging puzzle, the length and capacity of the sidings and headshunt is critical to successful operation. 

 

As I mentioned, there was a good article in RM a couple of years ago explaining the drain and operation. I'm sure someone can point in the right direction. 

 

Cheers,

David 

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I see you’re thinking of using the O gauge Peco setrak points. It’s well worth checking the geometry first, as they’re laid out similar to the OO ones  more intended for a 6 x 4 oval type of layout.  The radius of the diverging track continues on through the crossing, so that although they’re short, trying to fit them on a “plank” type of layout is problematic.

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The layout was built by 5050 on this group.

 

 

I can vouch that it was definitely a mental challenge to shunt. Paul used two sets of cards shuffled and dealt face down so you could not cheat.

The first set specified the location, and the second set identified the wagon to go to that location.

There was also, another three cards dealt face down for the train to go off scene.

The train arrived from off scene right; engine leading, three wagons then a brake van.

The train departed to the right engine leading, three wagons then the brake van.

The track was to P4 standards, with I think Paul said the points were 2ft radius.

Couplings from memory were three link.

 

I had a few enjoyable hours at a number of shows playing on this layout, including an attempted cheat with two locos which really tangled me up.

A variety of 0-4-0 locos and an 0-6-0 Hudswell Clarke diesel shunter were the usual motive power.

 

Gordon A

 

 

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2 hours ago, Scorpio7uk said:

I've only just come on to this topic...... is this the one you're looking for?

 

Porthwain

http://s386633784.websitehome.co.uk/bpmrc/layout9.shtml

 

The layout is still going strong and it was at the Bristol show a couple of weeks back.

 

I used to be a member of the Barry & Penarth club with Dave Cannon - happy days!

 

Jeff

 

 

Thanks Jeff that is great! That is the one indeed. Those are great photographs of a super little layout. Inspirational stuff.

 

Cheers,

David

 

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1 hour ago, Northroader said:

I see you’re thinking of using the O gauge Peco setrak points. It’s well worth checking the geometry first, as they’re laid out similar to the OO ones  more intended for a 6 x 4 oval type of layout.  The radius of the diverging track continues on through the crossing, so that although they’re short, trying to fit them on a “plank” type of layout is problematic.

 

Thanks that's useful advice. I'm going to print off some of the Peco paler templates to assist in planning but I see what you mean about the geometry. Actually the Peco standard Y-point might be a better bet - they are not that much longer and they might work better on a narrow plank. 

 

Cheers,

David

 

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3 hours ago, hartleymartin said:

You can shorten the diverging track using a razor saw.

 

That's useful Martin. Presumably bringing the track centres much closer together and also reducing the length I the points? 

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Yes and yes. Find yourself the printed templates and use those to figure out where best to shorten for your needs. As I recall, I think I was going to truncate the diverging line where the long point timbers end, or maybe just one sleeper after.

 

Template PDFs here:

 

Right Hand Point:

http://www.tower-models.com/towermodels/ogauge/peco/track/ST-U750 plan sheet.pdf

 

Left Hand Point:

http://www.tower-models.com/towermodels/ogauge/peco/track/ST-U751 plan sheet.pdf

 

This image from Tower Models website:

 

setrackpt.jpg

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8 hours ago, hartleymartin said:

Yes and yes. Find yourself the printed templates and use those to figure out where best to shorten for your needs. As I recall, I think I was going to truncate the diverging line where the long point timbers end, or maybe just one sleeper after.

 

Template PDFs here:

 

Right Hand Point:

http://www.tower-models.com/towermodels/ogauge/peco/track/ST-U750 plan sheet.pdf

 

Left Hand Point:

http://www.tower-models.com/towermodels/ogauge/peco/track/ST-U751 plan sheet.pdf

 

This image from Tower Models website:

 

setrackpt.jpg

 

16 minutes ago, NeilHB said:

David - have a look at my thread on here for Duddon Bridge - under 7mm scale section. We’ve used the Peco settrack points on there and shortened the diverging road quite a bit. 

 

Thanks both, that is really useful. I'll print the templates you linked to Martin. I have found them invaluable in layout planning in the past. 

 

Neil, thanks for the top off. I'll have another look at your thread to see what you've done!

 

Cheers,

David

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9 hours ago, sir douglas said:

Paul is now planning successor to engima

 

ive just sent my entry in for the small layouts vol 3, hopefully be succesful

 

I look forward to seeing Paul's new layout.

 

I am really looking forward to the third volume - I am sure you layout will be included, I have been admiring it and following here over the last couple of years. Fantastic plan for a limited space and really inspirational for us space starved modellers. Enjoy following your workbench thread too. Keep up the good work!  

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