Terminus Buffers, Options...

[Ray Von]

Hi all,

 

  I'm modelling a shelf layout in N which has a two platform terminus station at one end.

  I think I will be having a retaining wall at the end of the line.  With space being a bit restricted, most of my locos will only just fit at the station and traditional buffers will eat into valuable track. 

So does anyone know of any alternatives to buffers at terminii?  Is it ok just to have a wall at the end of the line?

 

Thank you in advance. 

[Nearholmer]

Depends upon the date, I would say.

 

Buffers, or "arrestors" have advanced over the years, from the vestigial to the possibly completely OTT, but there are reasons for that.

 

This is apparently Mrs Lemon, disturbed by a locomotive arriving through her garden wall.

 

Mind you, she looks like a woman who survived the blitz and isn’t going to get over excited about a small tank engine.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2020 by Nearholmer

[steviesparx]

 

Some previous suggestions here too....

[Ray Von]

Brilliant, thank you - I reckon I could do something with the N Peco kit... 

[phil_sutters]

These buffers are pretty minimal. The wooden buffer pads are only a few feet from the back wall. These are a Southern style.

 

[melmerby]

6 hours ago, Nearholmer said:

Depends upon the date, I would say.

 

Buffers, or "arrestors" have advanced over the years, from the vestigial to the possibly completely OTT, but there are reasons for that.

 

This is apparently Mrs Lemon, disturbed by a locomotive arriving through her garden wall.

 

Mind you, she looks like a woman who survived the blitz and isn’t going to get over excited about a small tank engine.

 

 

 

 

Probably pushed it back on to the tracks single handedly

[Right Away]

On 10/08/2020 at 17:18, Nearholmer said:

Depends upon the date, I would say.

 

Buffers, or "arrestors" have advanced over the years, from the vestigial to the possibly completely OTT, but there are reasons for that.

 

This is apparently Mrs Lemon, disturbed by a locomotive arriving through her garden wall.

 

Mind you, she looks like a woman who survived the blitz and isn’t going to get over excited about a small tank engine.

 

 

 

 

An excellent example of the fragility of some stop blocks, Kevin; IIRC wasn’t this the occasion which spelt the end for 2493 at Kemp Town?
Perhaps the “donkey” packed up and nobody noticed until ....... crunch!!,

Edited August 11, 2020 by Right Away

[Nearholmer]

I’ve got a feeling it was taken in Battersea, but I can’t be sure without hunting.

 

I think that at Kemp Town all the back gardens are way above railway height.

[Right Away]

Oops, my mistake. It was 2468 that came to grief at Kemp Town. There’s a link about it for reference. 
 

https://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/places/placetrans-2/kemp_town_station/kemptown-stationno-longer-exists

[The Johnster]

Stop all your passenger trains outside the station and call them forward with a calling on signal.  The driver has to assume that the section is occupied between himself and the next signal, which is effectively the red light on the buffers.  Thus warned, he approaches 'at a speed consistent with being able to stop the train safely within the distance he can see is clear ahead. This means that the buffer stops can be planks of wood directly affixed to the retaining walls.  It is important that locos do not impact them except very gently with extreme caution as over-enthusiasm will bring a stony landslide down on top of you, along with whatever's at the top of the wall.

 

This means that stock can be stabled right up to within the plank's thickness of the wall, maximising your limited space.

[Ray Von]

Thanks Johnster, great knowledge as ever.

Sounds like a good plan, and cheap to do!!  Just need to source some appropriate looking light fittings..

[flockandroll]

There is another picture of 2493 surprising Mr &  Mrs Lemon

 

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-mr-and-mrs-lemon-of-brooklands-street-battersea-had-a-surprise-when-20616531.html?pv=1&stamp=2&imageid=58F239B9-F361-4F9D-B8D2-6D756121D22E&p=62486&n=0&orientation=0&pn=1&searchtype=0&IsFromSearch=1&srch=foo%3dbar%26st%3d0%26pn%3d1%26ps%3d100%26sortby%3d2%26resultview%3dsortbyPopular%26npgs%3d0%26qt%3dmr%20mrs%20lemon%20brooklands%20street%26qt_raw%3dmr%20mrs%20lemon%20brooklands%20street%26lic%3d3%26mr%3d0%26pr%3d0%26ot%3d0%26creative%3d%26ag%3d0%26hc%3d0%26pc%3d%26blackwhite%3d%26cutout%3d%26tbar%3d1%26et%3d0x000000000000000000000%26vp%3d0%26loc%3d0%26imgt%3d0%26dtfr%3d%26dtto%3d%26size%3d0xFF%26archive%3d1%26groupid%3d%26pseudoid%3d%26a%3d%26cdid%3d%26cdsrt%3d%26name%3d%26qn%3d%26apalib%3d%26apalic%3d%26lightbox%3d%26gname%3d%26gtype%3d%26xstx%3d0%26simid%3d%26saveQry%3d%26editorial%3d1%26nu%3d%26t%3d%26edoptin%3d%26customgeoip%3d%26cap%3d1%26cbstore%3d1%26vd%3d0%26lb%3d%26fi%3d2%26edrf%3d%26ispremium%3d1%26flip%3d0%26pl%3d

with extra info in the caption

Edited August 12, 2020 by flockandroll
getting link to work

[Ray Von]

21 hours ago, The Johnster said:

Stop all your passenger trains outside the station and call them forward with a calling on signal.  The driver has to assume that the section is occupied between himself and the next signal, which is effectively the red light on the buffers.  Thus warned, he approaches 'at a speed consistent with being able to stop the train safely within the distance he can see is clear ahead. This means that the buffer stops can be planks of wood directly affixed to the retaining walls.  It is important that locos do not impact them except very gently with extreme caution as over-enthusiasm will bring a stony landslide down on top of you, along with whatever's at the top of the wall.

 

This means that stock can be stabled right up to within the plank's thickness of the wall, maximising your limited space.

 

This kind of thing?  Layout is late 70's to early 80's....

[The Johnster]

Similar.  If you are using colour light signals then a single red aspect is all the signal needs to show as the main aspect, if semaphore it can be a fixed board.  In the UK, the CO signal is two white lights one diagonally above and to the left of the other, allowing the driver to proceed with caution as the section ahead must be treated as if it is occupied by an obstruction.  Similar to as shown for semaphore but on wr the red stripe is horizontal in the middle of the board.  They are not 'helpful when repair works are going on', at least not in the UK, but are of course used if a failed train is occupying the section and an assisting train or loco must be called on to couple to it.

 

Signalling is a very complex matter and often contains apparent anomalies.  It is worthy of a book and many are available, and very fascinating reading they make, but basic principles for modelling purposes are largely covered by how movements are controlled in 'station limits' (itself a signalling term with a specific meaning) or MAS schemes with subsidiary signals such as these, and 'ground position light' signals.  An understanding of this will allow you to devise signalling that is prototypical and enables you to perform the necessary movements on your layout.