James 1707 Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 Hi, I need some help please with a siding to handle my trains that run from my main layout and can be shuffled off stage without any hands. Ive got 230x20cm to play with. I would like trains to enter on my up line then exit on the down line. I'd ideally like 4 sidings as a minimum. Although I have some DMU's that can shuttle backward and forwards to the main layout I also have some locos that will need to run around to head the train again. Im hoping to use peco 100 medium points. Ive had a go at coming up with something, see attached but with my very rough maths it leaves a siding of 110cm, not the longest. I really would welcome advice on a better arrangement to maximise the space. Thanks Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simon b Posted November 4, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 4, 2019 (edited) With only 20cm width you are limited to 4 tracks, but you can get an extra 20cm siding length by changing the entrance points around to a double slip and 2 large y points. This means that only one train can enter or exit at a time, but is a space saver. You might gain a little more length using y points at the top end as well, but it wont be a lot. Edited July 9, 2020 by simon b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aire Head Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 How long are the locos you are running? Try to keep the headshunts as short as possible. Also the double slip as shown above won't work as it is occupying the space betwee the two track. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 5, 2019 Author Share Posted November 5, 2019 Hi, thanks for the top feedback so far. My longest loco is my class 66 about 28cm long so I guess the head shunt will need to support this. I'll print out some peco templates tonight and try the double slip and two y points and see how long it is and report back. Thanks Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simon b Posted November 5, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) 13 hours ago, Aire Head said: Also the double slip as shown above won't work as it is occupying the space betwee the two track. The double slip replaces the two tracks, I have this setup on the imperial gate layout. Only one train can enter or exit the yard at a time, but all roads can be accessed by either track. Edited November 5, 2019 by simon b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aire Head Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 1 hour ago, simon b said: The double slip replaces the two tracks, I have this setup on the imperial gate layout. Only one train can enter or exit the yard at a time, but all roads can be accessed by either track. I was working on the assumption that the OP had chosen the original form based on two tracks running into the scenic section rather than one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 5, 2019 Author Share Posted November 5, 2019 Hi, I printed out the double slip and y's tonight and the two tracks converge as suggested, it's as if the slip is too narrow. My 20cm width is very tight even if I mess about with separation between the slip and y's but in doing that I start to compromise the length of the siding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simon b Posted November 5, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, James 1707 said: Hi, I printed out the double slip and y's tonight and the two tracks converge as suggested, it's as if the slip is too narrow. My 20cm width is very tight even if I mess about with separation between the slip and y's but in doing that I start to compromise the length of the siding. It only works with the large radius Y points, which are the same length as a normal medium radius point. they have a shallower angle which lines up perfectly. Print a pair of those off and it will all come together. Those short y points have a much too sharp angle to be used in sidings, but are usefull for building a center loco release between terminus platforms. Edited November 5, 2019 by simon b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simon b Posted November 5, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 5, 2019 (edited) I cant get the actual board out till the weekend, but here are some old points laid out for you. Edited July 9, 2020 by simon b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aire Head Posted November 5, 2019 Share Posted November 5, 2019 Could it be possible to do the fiddle yard as a sector plate? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 5, 2019 Author Share Posted November 5, 2019 I added the longer Y's and all aligns better. It's about 70cm leaving me 160cm to play with. Now onto the run a round and head shunt on one of the 4 lanes that give me the most flexibility. I want to avoid a sector plate as I'm hoping to run all this with no hands Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 6, 2019 Author Share Posted November 6, 2019 Ok took a bit of step and invested in AnyRail over template prints. I've attached my head shunt to be able to uncouple and run around to then head up before heading out again. I've got about 107cm to play with in the sidings so will need to check what that looks like wagon wise. It's not nice looking but it's just required to be functional. Any thoughts on further improvements? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simon b Posted November 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 6, 2019 (edited) On 06/11/2019 at 21:01, James 1707 said: Ok took a bit of step and invested in AnyRail over template prints. I've attached my head shunt to be able to uncouple and run around to then head up before heading out again. I've got about 107cm to play with in the sidings so will need to check what that looks like wagon wise. It's not nice looking but it's just required to be functional. Any thoughts on further improvements? Do you actually need to have a runaround in the sidings? You could run the train into the yard with a loco, uncouple it, then pull it back out with another. Edited July 9, 2020 by simon b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 6, 2019 Author Share Posted November 6, 2019 That's a good idea. I also opens up lots of other operational opportunities from the stage area. Thanks. Back to AnyRail to map it out and do some measurements. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simon b Posted November 6, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 6, 2019 (edited) You can also build it this way which keeps the sidings longer, but means the locos must shunt onto the scenic section. Edited July 9, 2020 by simon b Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCB Posted November 7, 2019 Share Posted November 7, 2019 47 minutes ago, simon b said: You can also build it this way which keeps the sidings longer, but means the locos must shunt onto the scenic section. The top two sidings can be used for loco hauled turn backs without the loco entering the scenic section as there is around 300mm between the points and the scenic section. the top siding by the loco standing on the red line past the slip, and the lower by the loco waiting in the top road. , If 1ft or 300mm width was available I would go 5 roads as below 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 7, 2019 Author Share Posted November 7, 2019 Thats another great plan. I've got a 3rd and 4th radius quarter turn before I get to the scenic section so I'll use this also for some shunting around. Don't know why I never thought about it before. I suppose the question now is could I use that space differently now. I'll put the that bit on my AnyRail plan and send it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Happy Hippo Posted November 7, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 7, 2019 If you do need the run around facility, you can save a lot of space by fitting a loco length (plus a little bit) traverser at the far end Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted November 7, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted November 7, 2019 Why not use a Peco loco lift? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 7, 2019 Author Share Posted November 7, 2019 I'm trying to make it so I don't need to touch the locos once on the track at the moment Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 7, 2019 Author Share Posted November 7, 2019 I've put it on a plan now and when you take into account the corner I seem to have a lot more space before you enter the scenic area. Any thoughts how I should use this space? I don't want to extend the scenic this is just for movement to and from the scenic and sidings Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold simon b Posted November 7, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted November 7, 2019 1 hour ago, James 1707 said: I've put it on a plan now and when you take into account the corner I seem to have a lot more space before you enter the scenic area. Any thoughts how I should use this space? I don't want to extend the scenic this is just for movement to and from the scenic and sidings If those 4 sidings are long enough you could add 3 more, or make the existing 4 longer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
James 1707 Posted November 18, 2019 Author Share Posted November 18, 2019 Well a few weeks now but getting on rebuild from some old boards. It looks like it's going to work out well. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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