Geinup Jct - An n-gauge modular layout, based sometime in the past 50 years, somewhere in the UK, and guaranteed to be slow progress...

[MattWallace]

It's been over a year since I started to attempt a layout based on Monmouth Troy station.  COVID-19 meant I had to close the hackspace I was using to build it, and work got in the way of everything else.

 

As a result, I've decided to start a new, modular layout that I can build up bit by bit, module by module, as an when I get time.

 

The name is a play on "Given Up", because I've long since given up on the idea that I might get more than 20 minutes at a time to do modelling, so updates here are almost certainly going to be sporadic.

 

The layout will be DCC and controlled via JMRI and MERG kits.

 

Signals are the KytesLights models, and points are servo-operated giving a really smooth slide from open to closed and back again.

 

Module 1 - City marshalling yards

 

The first module is a city marshalling yard, the location of which is unspecific.

 

Floodlights will illuminate the yard itself (B), whilst the mainline runs down a gradient towards (A).

 

Both (A) and (B) will connect to the neighbouring module at the appropriate level, and I'm hoping that at some point (A) will pass under (B) similar to the way the Overground passes under the GWR main line not far from London Paddington.

 

Construction is my first attempt at an open-frame base board in an attempt to avoid significant amounts of weight.  The frame is made from 12mm ply with corner braces made from pine offcuts, the top is made from 6mm ply:

 

Timber cut to size and glued using impact glue:

 

The pine support is glued into place and then clamped until the glue is dry

 

Measure the depth of the screw so we don't end up screwing through the top and into the joinery screws

 

Mark out the holes and drill a pilot:

 

 

Screw the braces into place for strength:

 

I'll post some pictures of the top in place when I get a chance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 2, 2021 by MattWallace
Remove large photos

[MattWallace]

Managed to get another 10 minutes to screw the top on - more pilot holes drilled to avoid splitting the wood, and the incline looks about right.

 

I've left the front off for now so I can get to the wiring etc, but at some point I'll cut another bit of ply to support the incline.

[MattWallace]

More time spent on this today, cork trackbed is down, and I've been playing around with the various height levels to get an idea of what it might look like.

 

 

[MattWallace]

One more for today:

 

 

The track isn't pinned down (or even cut to size!) But it gives you an idea of what it will look like!

[MattWallace]

Well, I did say it would be sporadic... 

 

The lengths of flexitrack have been cut to size ready for laying (and numbered so that I can store them and not worry about what goes where when I get it out again!).

 

I've also ordered a set of Model Tech rail aligners so that everything is ready for when I build the next module (in 10 years time!) 

 

The track in place

 

 

A side-on view of the main line as it descends the hill

 

 

An end-on view of the height difference between the tracks - if anyone has ideas on how to fill this gap nicely, please let me know!

[MattWallace]

OK, this is the plan for the signalling - does it make sense?

 

The module has a 2-track mainline at the front of the layout that slopes away from the join with the goods yard (see photo), so I know that I need a signal on the next module to the right to control access to the yard, but is the signalling correct for the rest of the layout?

 

I'm assuming that the signals within the yard would all be ground-signals, with gantry signals on the mainline, so hopefully what I've done makes sense!

 

As I understand it, the signals go to the left of the track in the direction of travel?

 

[Kris]

The gap area sounds like it needs a small slope either going down to the lower level or possibly more aesthetically pleasing, reaching down to a small stub wall. 

[MattWallace]

Just now, Kris said:

The gap area sounds like it needs a small slope either going down to the lower level or possibly more aesthetically pleasing, reaching down to a small stub wall. 

 

Thanks, someone elsewhere suggested a retaining wall for the first bit of the drop followed by a modrock "hill side" strewn with shopping trolleys and other debris - you ideas would work quite well mixed in with that I think!

 

[MattWallace]

A new purchase, not used these before - they should make lining up the various modules a lot easier!

 

https://www.modeltech.uk/product-page/n-protrack-rail-aligner-standard

 

[MattWallace]

The first set of rail aligners were soldered on at the weekend, and the results are pretty decent!

 

Edited March 9, 2021 by MattWallace

[Clagmeister]

Really coming on.  Excellent stuff.

[MattWallace]

Rather frustrating morning this morning - I was doing really well getting all the track laid out on the baseboard, only to discover that I've cut one bit of track about 10mm too short, and I'm missing a point!

 

Still pleased with the progress though, front two tracks are now secured to the baseboard with glue at the joiner end, really starting to come together!

  

 

  

 

Edited March 13, 2021 by MattWallace

[MattWallace]

Usually I'd just make it up as I go with this kind of thing, but I want to plan things properly this time, especially given that the layout is modular so all the modules need to "work" together.

 

As a result, here's a rough sketch I've done of the first module.

 

I've already got the metcalf kit for the retaining wall, and I'm hoping to give that a go whilst I wait for the final point to arrive!

 

[MattWallace]

More progress last night - put together a couple of the MERG Servo Point Motor Mounts and started to play around with the arches for the retaining wall.

 

Only 5 more servo mounts and the entire back wall to go... 

 

   

 

The MERG Servo Mount - only available to MERG Members (I highly recommend it!) but with the ability to control the points via a standard 9g RC servo and with two switches - one to throw the frog polarity and the other to feed back to JMRI the position of the point to prove it really has been thrown.

 

 

The initial dummy test of the retaining wall - it's the Metcalf kit for those who are interested!

 

 

[MattWallace]

OK, here's the plan...

 

You've already seen the first module:

 

 

Here's the module that goes to the right of the first one:

 

 

And here are the designs for the two modules to the left...

 

 

 

The line runs to the back of the layout and then loops round to a fiddle yard...

[MattWallace]

For the few of you who are watching this, I've started another layout based in the future with a solar punk aesthetic.

 

Gienup Jct. will still be developed, but the new layout gives me a chance to play around a lot more with my 3D printer.

 

I'll continue to post updates here as I go, because being able to switch between the various modules I'm working on probably has more chance of me getting stuff done on both!