F-UnitMad Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 2 hours ago, Liam_uk said: Cement spur with the actual facility 3ft (in HO!) Away from the switch That's one of the things I got from Lance Mindheim's writings - a layout may be simple but if the spurs are looooooong it takes more time to switch!! Just, as they say, like the real thing!! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted February 22, 2021 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Something to consider, going by your track plan, is there going to be any need for point motors, as you'll be walking with the train, to switch industries. Not sure how your going to uncouple the cars, may be a BBQ skewer, which also doubles up as point control. Just think what you could buy with the money you saved, by not buying point motors, just saying! 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted February 23, 2021 Author Share Posted February 23, 2021 7 hours ago, long island jack said: Something to consider, going by your track plan, is there going to be any need for point motors, as you'll be walking with the train, to switch industries. Not sure how your going to uncouple the cars, may be a BBQ skewer, which also doubles up as point control. Just think what you could buy with the money you saved, by not buying point motors, just saying! I had been thinking this as it'll only be 1 engine in steam principal. I had been thinking of BBQ skewer if space allows between the levels. I may have to install 1 or 2 magnets Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 As long as the skewer is shorter than the cement silos you'll be ok, 6" is long enough, cut in half 2 for 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 They also make great telegraph pole freight car loads when stained dark brown. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted February 23, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 23, 2021 (edited) On 18/02/2021 at 18:32, long island jack said: you mean like this On 18/02/2021 at 18:33, F-UnitMad said: Yes. As it looks like a curved right on the lead from the lower left, why not have two in a row, followed by a left on the furthest track - that may flow a bit better than straightening up before the crossover with two lefts? Or - curved right/right/left? Edited February 23, 2021 by newbryford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 Like this, they don't tend to use curved point much states side, it's more a British thing, they got the space!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted February 23, 2021 Share Posted February 23, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, long island jack said: Like this, they don't tend to use curved point much states side, it's more a British thing, they got the space!! Agreed. I recall seeing at least one trackplan in Model Railroader that actually put a label on it to show "curved switches", they are so rare over there!!! Also re hand-operated switches (turnouts); throwing them that way rather than using point motors helps capture the 'feel' of working an industrial branch, doing the work of the train conductor. Edited February 23, 2021 by F-UnitMad 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted February 23, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 23, 2021 3 hours ago, long island jack said: Like this, they don't tend to use curved point much states side, it's more a British thing, they got the space!! That looks better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted February 25, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 25, 2021 When I was initially looking at a new layout I was thinking of motorising all the switchs as it seems to be the norm here in the UK and what I've done on all my previous layouts including a very small 009 layout. However, after reading Lance Mindheim, et al and watching lots of US switching layouts on YouTube I've been sold on hand throwing. As F-UnitMad says it adds to the operational 'feel'. I'm also thinking of doing some small (literally ) 2-person engineer/conductor sessions with my grandchildren so this would add to it. I am tossing up between going down using a skewer from above or using bike spoke/piano wire operation from below. I've also decided not to have any magnets for uncoupling but use a skewer for the same reasoning. It seems that here in the UK we're very adverse to having hands appear in our layouts whereas in the US they don't mind. Maybe it's that here we're more exhibition orientated? Lee 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 8 hours ago, z4driver said: It seems that here in the UK we're very adverse to having hands appear in our layouts whereas in the US they don't mind. Maybe it's that here we're more exhibition orientated? Possibly. Personally I don't understand why some people get so upset about the 'hand of god' appearing, when fully automatic couplers miss out the interaction of a person with the coupling operation altogether, since on the real thing all forms of coupler need some form of human interaction at some point. Such people may claim the 'h-o-g' destroys any illusion of watching reality. If, at an exhibition, they can blank out all the distractions of a noisy hall, the jostles from rucksacks and the inevitable whiff of certain individuals, and convince themselves they really are at the lineside of a real railway, then they have better powers of concentration than me.... 2 3 2 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 As a frequent exhibitor... Oh lord the whiffs! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted February 25, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 25, 2021 12 hours ago, z4driver said: It seems that here in the UK we're very adverse to having hands appear in our layouts whereas in the US they don't mind. Maybe it's that here we're more exhibition orientated? Lee The skewer for Kadees is far less intrusive than someone using a short bar to couple 3-links {*}, or a "shovel" under a tension lock. [dons flame suit, but probably not needed as lots of UK modellers wouldn't dream of frequenting a thread aimed at non-UK operations] {*} coupling 3-links often involves more than one attempt and/or a hook on the end of a pen torch, so even more intrusive IMO. Much time can be had watching people trying to couple links under a corridor connection. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodshaw Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 When I built my first American layout I installed uncoupling magnets, but the uncoupling process was somewhat convoluted and the magnets always seemed to be in the wrong place. So I removed them, and didn't bother with them on my second layout. I found it far more straightforward to uncouple with a quick twist of the Kadee stick or a skewer of some kind. I work my turnouts with push-pull wooden dowels under the layout, with a length of piano wire sticking through and upwards through a hole in the tiebar. The dowels stick out of the baseboard at both front and back for operation from either side, depending on whether I'm at home or at a show. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Keith Addenbrooke Posted February 26, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 26, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, newbryford said: The skewer for Kadees is far less intrusive than someone using a short bar to couple 3-links {*}, or a "shovel" under a tension lock. [dons flame suit, but probably not needed as lots of UK modellers wouldn't dream of frequenting a thread aimed at non-UK operations] {*} coupling 3-links often involves more than one attempt and/or a hook on the end of a pen torch, so even more intrusive IMO. Much time can be had watching people trying to couple links under a corridor connection. The thing I would worry about if this was my layout was banging my head on the layout above when leaning in to uncouple cars spotted on the rear spurs . It’s quite a relief for me with my own layout plans that manual switching and uncoupling is conventional on US layouts - my budget doesn’t extend to point motors, plus it will simplify the wiring across portable baseboard joints (I’ve not wired a layout for forty years). As for uncoupling, some of the older rolling stock I’ve been donated has either metal axles or even metal trucks. I don’t know if this would be a problem with magnets, but it’s something else I don’t need to worry about. I just need to clean out the BBQ to justify buying a load of skewers. Edited February 26, 2021 by Keith Addenbrooke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted February 26, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 26, 2021 1 hour ago, rodshaw said: I work my turnouts with push-pull wooden dowels under the layout, with a length of piano wire sticking through and upwards through a hole in the tiebar. The dowels stick out of the baseboard at both front and back for operation from either side, depending on whether I'm at home or at a show. I'd be interested if you have any pictures etc of this. Cheers Lee Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
long island jack Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 As i use Electrofrog points, i use this system for point operation, made up of BBQ skewer, bike spoke, piano wire and a on-on slide switch! 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 Thank you everyone for the feedback and conversation. It's really good to see people talking about their experiences and thoughts. It has really helped when building the layout and has been the most useful resource I have found to help me. I'm going to try with just an uncoupling stick and see how I get on. If the rear spots are difficult to uncouple due to access with cars in front and the top layout I'll revert to magnets for those spots. This is how the layout sits. I have used the area people would normally use for storage as an extra layout but only on 3 sides: Again due to using my phone I'll have to put a few posts with various pictures of progress.... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 I've finished laying all the industrial area tracks now all the way to the curve that will eventually connect to the yard. I have left the lower end not pinned down sonincan move it into position when I lay the yard tracks 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 Part of the curve from behind the cement works The corn syrup distributor track is now in place. This idea has been taken from another layout I've seen on YouTube. I'll have 2 spots here with unloading pipes and the building will be a loading facility for further distribution by road 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 This shows the curve behind the cement silos. Another view of the corn syrup distributor area. This is 22 inch wide and apart from this industry will be mainly scenic. I'll be adding lighting under the top deck at some point in the near future... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 I plan to have a grade crossing on the entrance area to the industrial area, (the lower track goes to the cement silos, the upper track to the 2 Industries). I have used OO gauge vehicles to get an idea of width for the crossing. The question is, what are the rules that determines whether the crossing need just signs, or lights or lights and full barriers? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted March 1, 2021 Author Share Posted March 1, 2021 Few locos seen switching the Spur on a busy Monday. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam_uk Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 Today's job: 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium z4driver Posted March 4, 2021 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 4, 2021 @long island jack Thanks very much for the photos. Inspirational! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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