geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 14, 2016 Share Posted April 14, 2016 Hello all, I hope everyone is well and can spare some time to read my first post on RMweb. Being inspired by RMweb over the last six months, I've finally committed and purchased the plywood and track to build the below layout which I have designed below. I have many criteria to fulfill such as: The ability to run and have station capacity for 7 set HST's A working yard to operate and model A fiddle yard Continuous running A bridge It is a fictitious layout however is loosely based around Newcastle central station and the North East of England. The station platforms that you see will continue around the curve on the left until the two vertical sidings end. This will allow for the length of the HST's (unfortunately Railmodel Pro does not allow me to draw curves). The bridge will be curved and built in to the lowered baseboard design of the right hand vertical baseboard. I have tried to leave as much room as possible for scenery, especially around the outer perimeter as the layout will be operated from the center well. I will be extremely greatful of any feedback whatsoever with regards to the track layout i.e. any potential improvements that I could make that would enhance operations and realism. I am using Peco code 75 however I feel like my layout looks very setrack-ish as that is how I have built it up to calculate correct radius curves. I am using Digitrax DCC. The layout is modular as I live in an apartment so will be setting up the layout in the living room and connecting/removing sections dependent upon demand upon the living space from the boss (A.K.A wife). It will be modern image set between 1986 - 1999. Kindest Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium stivesnick Posted April 14, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 14, 2016 Hi Craig Welcome to RMweb! The key question in developing a track plan is to think about how you want to operate it, in other words what do you want your trains to do. At present, all trains come out of the fiddle yard on a single track, they can go around the layout a few times, but then what happens? My first suggestion would be to add a curve back into the fiddle yard and another crossover in the bottom left side of the layout. Thinking about Newcastle in the 1980/90s - many intercity and regional express train would terminate - Therefore you could run a train around the track a few times, then it would terminate in the station, reverse and return to the fiddle yard. Many regional express trains were still locomotive hauled with Class 47 locos with Mk1 or Mk2 coaches and the loco would need to run around its train or even swap locos. There were also many local trains formed of DMUs that would terminate at the station. With the current plan, trains from the bay platform have nowhere to go unless they terminate in the trough tracks. Suggest you add a crossover to allow trains to reach the fiddle yard track platform from the main line. Then there is freight. By the 1980s most trains were block loads and longer than the passenger trains - so you will need some long sidings to operate them on the layout unless they just run through the station. In the North East, coal and steel were the main traffic. There were still wagonload trains operating which delivered a few wagons to a private sidings. A train would enter the yard, exchange a few wagons for local industries and proceed on its way. The wagons were then moved to the local factory, either by a Class 08 shunter or a small main line loco such as Class 31 or 37. Hope this makes sense. Will try to mark up the plan with suggestions over the next day or so. Regards Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 Hi Nick, Thank you for offering your advice, I really appreciate it. May I also take this opportunity to say how impressed I am with your N gauge layout, the detail is something that has inspired to work towards myself! You're right about my layout needing a purpose (your layout addresses this perfectly), I am planning to run railbus pacers and skippers, as well as sprinters, all of which I have already purchased and will convert to DCC (maybe adding black beetle motors). I was going to terminate these trains using the through platforms however agree that a line running back into the fiddle yard would be more suitable and realistic. I am just struggling to make this fit using a curve greater than 24 inch radius (with 30 inch transition curves) unless of course I add another small baseboard section. I also have purchased a coal sector class 56 (West Burton Power Station) and 18 MGR style coal hoppers which I will run on the layout however I'm struggling to find space for a siding to accommodate so as with the HST's I thought I could just have these running through from fiddle yard and then back (as I'm writing this I'm thinking that this sounds like a pretty poor operational plan)! The reason I created the yard was to add some operational interest however the yard cannot accommodate the 56 and the rake of 18 hoppers nor the 8x tankers and class 60 so I thought of making it a TMD with some sidings so I could at least shunt some smaller trains. I'm open to redesigning the whole yard if you recommend it. Actually I should maybe let I you know which stock I have already purchased and would like to run on the layout, even if some can only be operated out of the fiddle yard, around the circuit and back again: Class 56 Coal sector with 18x MGR style hoppers Class 47 RES livery with 6x RES mail coaches. Intercity Swallow Livery HST (7 coach) Intercity Executive Livery HST (8 coach, however will only have the station capacity to run 7) Virgin Livery HST (7 coach) Arriva Cross Country HST (5 coach) Not really in scope of the 90's but decided to purchase as a treat as I really like the livery and it did run to Newcastle Class 37 Railfreight with 8x Railfreight Steel carriers and various Railfreight closed vans and open waggons Looking for a class 60 Petroleum sector loco (thinking Hornby Samuel Johnson) as this type of train used to run between Jarrow Shell terminal and the Lindsey Oil Refinery. So far I have obtained 5x Bachmann shell oil tankers and am hunting for another 3 (and of course the loco itself) I have purchased a rake of mk3 intercity swallow sleepers and accompanying mk2 coaches and will source a class 47 Intercity swallow livery loco for these later. 2x Skipper railbus 1x Pacer railbus 1x Class 155 sprinter however then realized that the one that I used to travel on as a teenager was a 156 which is not available from Hornby in provincial livery so I have purchased the Lima model. I will try and build one good one out of the two and if all looks and runs ok will convert to DCC with lights. I am also keen to purchase the Bachmann 158 when it is finally released. So as you can see I have been investing a lot in rolling stock that loosely fits the period and location that I am modeling, the challenge is to create a track plan that will allow me to enjoy the various formations. I am trying to do everything properly and understand that it take a long time to build a layout of this size especially considering it is modular. I collected the 4mm birch ply today that I am using for baseboard construction using the Barry Norman method. I figure when it comes to baseboards and wiring "do it once do it right" is the way forward so I can get many years out of these ahead. Before I commit and install the baseboard cross members I want to be 100% confident with my track plan. I am happy with the station layout itself however not to sure if the rest of the layout can accommodate the large mixture of rolling stock above in a way that is interesting to operate and has realism. I would rather redesign anything that requires it now if necessary and get it right. Once I have a plan that is operationally sound and has the potential to visually realistic (I realise a lot of this comes down to my modeling skills and placement of buildings, tunnels, structure etc), then I will continue on for the rest of the year, building the baseboards, laying the cork, wiring the droppers, cobalt motors and everything else from now until Christmas. Look forward to your suggestions however drastic they may be. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktundu99 Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 Disclaimer: I'm more a freight person - my current project features a token autotrain and a lot of industry, so feel free to completely ignore me - I know next to nothing about passenger operation... Thinking through how I'd want to operate the plan you posted, I'd feel really quite limited by the idea that there was only one station and therefore no sensible destination for many of my passenger trains other than those heading back to the fiddle yard. Because the setting is predominantly urban, it would be a simple matter to hide your 2-track main line behind the urban sprawl and have a single-track route with a local station on it at the front beside the operating well before rejoining the main line elsewhere - that way you have locations you can operate passenger trains between. Looking at the plan you posted, this would probably work best down the right hand side, and if you put a gentle reverse curve on the main station it should fit in very nicely (and the real station is on a curve into the bargain!). The closeness of stations needn't be a problem either - note the proximity of Deansgate and Oxford Rd stations in Manchester, or even Newcastle and Manors! Out the western end of Newcastle station there is a single-track spur that leads off somewhere through a shallow cutting; could you use that as some kind of inspiration? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 Thank you for your input, I like both freight and passenger so really appreciate your feedback. I've included below an updated track plan that includes the suggestion from Nick to incorporate additional line to the fiddle yard and another cross over. This will certainly help with operations. I now need to evaluate where I can include some other purpose built station (I've always fancied modeling the Metrocentre Station, bleak but instantly recognisable and all manner of goods and passenger traffic passes through it). I was going to build a bridge under the right hand side curve and have already designed the base board as a drop board with a 15cm drop, I could however relocate that to under the main line/TMD area, running along the bottom baseboards. I like the idea of that actually. although hiding all of those point motors will pose a challenge. I would like to incorporate some goods industry without flooding the layout but sure if this will be possible especially now that I am going to expand out to two stations. Any further suggests to build upon the above will be most welcome, any views on the yard/TMD area, is it functional, how can I improve it? I would like to incorporate an inspection pit and several loco servicing buildings, fuel tank etc. Look forward to your thoughts as always. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie MB Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 More scope for operation, but also more wiring involved with that reversing loop ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 More scope for operation, but also more wiring involved with that reversing loop ... Hi Ronnie, True however I am using DCC so will that make matters easier? Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigwife007 Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 Hi Graig So how much space does that give you. It looks like it will be quite a task putting it up and down if you have to do that often. The overall shape and designe is not unlike mine. If your like me you will soon get board of the loop and will need some other operationall aspect whilst they are running round. Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 15, 2016 Author Share Posted April 15, 2016 Hi Graig So how much space does that give you. It looks like it will be quite a task putting it up and down if you have to do that often. The overall shape and designe is not unlike mine. If your like me you will soon get board of the loop and will need some other operationall aspect whilst they are running round. Dan Hi Dan, Thank you for taking the time to comment. The space I have is 4600mm x 2800mm with baseboards being 800mm wide. I like the idea of continuous running however agree that I also will get bored of a simple tail chasing loop that is why I thought I could add a TMD and fiddle yard to keep interest. Do you have another suggestion as to how I can make it more interesting? I did look at a large end to end layout with the station in the same place more or less only functioning as a terminus. I discounted this plan due to the HST's moving about three times their length and reaching the other end. At least this way the HST's can have some amount of realism as they can disappear back into the fiddle yard. Would love to hear how you guys would go about using this space if you were designing your own layouts. Massive thank you for all of the feedback so far, considering this is my first post I'm well impressed with the help and hospitality thus far. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium stivesnick Posted April 16, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 16, 2016 Hi Craig Thanks for the kind comments about my layout. A couple of suggestions for the freight side of the layout. 1) The yard, once a general fright terminal has been taken over by the Electrification Team for the east coast main line electrification - this offers the possibility of a wide range of short trains used in installing the overheard wires 2. The short freight branch as suggested in post 4 - there were many around Newcastle - many are now part of the Tyne Metro. A possible plan is given below. This creates 4 sidings for a range of traffic, typically coal, scrap, cement, steel terminals - at this time, there were still vacuum braked wagons so mixed trains (air and vacuum braked wagons) needed a brake van and the different brake type needed to be kept together. - so more shunting. Hope this helps nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pigwife007 Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 If you take a quick peak at my layout you will see I have the loop, three track with yard behind the station. On the far side I have the two main lines spuring off and up to bridge and on to the secound station. This gave me extra space for the loop and let me to have wider curves too. Your secound station could be above in that area and to where your fiddle yard may be. For me I felt it better that way to store stock under the layout and loose the space. If you are taking the layout down a lot you will find you won't want to be keep putting it in the fiddle yard anyway. Dan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktundu99 Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 If you're still looking for somewhere to fit a bridge in, how about down the left hand side? That way you can have a double-track bridge carrying the main line in the foreground, and a second bridge carrying the line to the fiddleyard behind it. This would perfectly fit to the prototype - there are at least three railway bridges across the Tyne in Newcastle, all of which are quite interesting and individual structures. Multiple bridges across a gorge like that is something I've never seen before on a British outline model (as far as I can think off the top of my head, anyway) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggzuk Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Hi Craig Firstly welcome to RMWeb and secondly there's nothing like starting off big ;-) But then I guess you must have a big lounge to be able to fit a layout of this size. Does the fiddle yard fit in with the 2800mm width as the tracks look very short for long trains. Great location the Newcastle area. I know you are going to get a lot suggestions here on the forum, but then that is probably good, as you will end up with a much more refined and fun layout to build and play with. Indeed what I am building is very different from what I first drew out. If I was to offer a variation to the plan, it would be be to scrap the spur baseboard to the fiddle yard and go for a twin layered layout with the fiddle yard being underneath such that it can accommodate the length of trains you are wanting to run. With this, you could seriously improve the feeling of trains going somewhere rather than just tail chasing. By having different levels you bring in the opportunity of having bridges, tunnels and multiple levels to see trains running or hiding them. Near Newcastle there is this tunnel where trains go under the East Coast Main Line on route to Carlisle https://www.google.com/maps/@54.956612,-1.6196034,280a,20y,180h,44.98t/data=!3m1!1e3 You could have something similar a going to the yard. One final point to make in the planning is to consider your baseboard construction and the location of your turnouts and your chosen method of switching them via point motors etc. Will look forward to your progress on this one. Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickeyMoggs Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 On a practical note, given that this is to be modular, you seem to have a lot of turnouts placed across baseboard joins. Prototypically, not sure about the use of back to back crossovers at either end of the station (on the curves). Beyond that, just jealous of the space you have, I've begrudgingly been given one wall of the box room, you must have a very understanding partner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hello again everyone, sorry it has been awhile since my last post (you'll understand why when you see the below). First of all let me say how blown away I am with the amount of great suggestions and advice I have received from everyone who has commented on this post. It has been of huge value and exactly what I've been looking for. I have been working hard on improving the original track plan and a few responses really got me thinking about suitable industries to coin a branchline from. Then the penny dropped 'Tyne Dock' and Jarrow oil terminal. These locations would be ideally suited to the freight stock I wish to run as Tyne Dock has a coal storage area and facilities for intermodals for future rolling stock. The Jarrow Oil terminal would be an ideal setting for my Shell 100 tonne tanks. In response to the comment regarding how lucky I am to have the space, believe it or not we actually live in a small two bedroom apartment however the living room and kitchen are all in one open plan space affording me the room to set up and at least have a couple of modules setup to work on, modeling during the week. My partner is understanding however as always there will be some 'ongoing negotiations' when it comes to trains taking over the house. We are saving for a deposit for our own place which will have to incorporate a man shed out the back (one day)! The plan below is over two levels, one being a branchline to Jarrow and Tyne Dock. Please bear in mind that the station will curl an extra meter around the bend to the right of the platforms (Railmodeller Pro for Mac unfortunately does not have a curve drawing feature built in). The lighter coloured baseboards are the top section. The TMD area is basic at the moment with the space to expand at a later date. As always would love to hear your thoughts: Do you think this will work well operationally? Do you think the track layout itself will look prototypical or still to set-track like in appearance? Look forward to your responses..... Kind Regards Craig Lower Tack Upper Track & Incline Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Disclaimer: I'm more a freight person - my current project features a token autotrain and a lot of industry, so feel free to completely ignore me - I know next to nothing about passenger operation... Thinking through how I'd want to operate the plan you posted, I'd feel really quite limited by the idea that there was only one station and therefore no sensible destination for many of my passenger trains other than those heading back to the fiddle yard. Because the setting is predominantly urban, it would be a simple matter to hide your 2-track main line behind the urban sprawl and have a single-track route with a local station on it at the front beside the operating well before rejoining the main line elsewhere - that way you have locations you can operate passenger trains between. Looking at the plan you posted, this would probably work best down the right hand side, and if you put a gentle reverse curve on the main station it should fit in very nicely (and the real station is on a curve into the bargain!). The closeness of stations needn't be a problem either - note the proximity of Deansgate and Oxford Rd stations in Manchester, or even Newcastle and Manors! Out the western end of Newcastle station there is a single-track spur that leads off somewhere through a shallow cutting; could you use that as some kind of inspiration? Yes, great suggestion, I've now incorporated a second small station for the Sprinters and Pacers. Would like to hear your feedback around how prototypical this will look as it is only one platform? The alternative is as you suggested is to put one down the right hand side as a branchline however the tiny run from the main station to this one bothers me. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hi Graig So how much space does that give you. It looks like it will be quite a task putting it up and down if you have to do that often. The overall shape and designe is not unlike mine. If your like me you will soon get board of the loop and will need some other operationall aspect whilst they are running round. Dan Hi Dan, I have now added a branchline for more operational interest. In terms of putting it up and down again, I'm ensuring that I design the whole layout is made with precision alignment using brass cabinet makers dowels and quick release legs. Eventually I am going to convert the hidden storage sidings into slide out cassettes to minimise stock handling and speed up setup. A few of the modules will remain out set up on tables during the week so I can work on modeling them. I don't mind an hour or two setting up for a long weekend running session on the layout. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 If you're still looking for somewhere to fit a bridge in, how about down the left hand side? That way you can have a double-track bridge carrying the main line in the foreground, and a second bridge carrying the line to the fiddleyard behind it. This would perfectly fit to the prototype - there are at least three railway bridges across the Tyne in Newcastle, all of which are quite interesting and individual structures. Multiple bridges across a gorge like that is something I've never seen before on a British outline model (as far as I can think off the top of my head, anyway) Yes, I really like this suggestion. The only issue I see is trying to hide the amount of point motors I have on this section (4 cobalts). I think I might lower the base board here and install some railway arches with a small road bridge going under the tracks (there is a similar setup under Newcastle Central Station that I am thinking of modeling). As for the bridges over the Tyne, I would love to model the high level and King Edward VII! The compressed scale length for these I make as 5 meters and even that is a squeeze! Maybe one day I'll attempt to do the job properly but for now trying to accommodate my needs and wants with the layout I don't think I would do any of these structures justice trying to squeeze them in amongst all the other features. One day though..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 Hi Craig Firstly welcome to RMWeb and secondly there's nothing like starting off big ;-) But then I guess you must have a big lounge to be able to fit a layout of this size. Does the fiddle yard fit in with the 2800mm width as the tracks look very short for long trains. Great location the Newcastle area. I know you are going to get a lot suggestions here on the forum, but then that is probably good, as you will end up with a much more refined and fun layout to build and play with. Indeed what I am building is very different from what I first drew out. If I was to offer a variation to the plan, it would be be to scrap the spur baseboard to the fiddle yard and go for a twin layered layout with the fiddle yard being underneath such that it can accommodate the length of trains you are wanting to run. With this, you could seriously improve the feeling of trains going somewhere rather than just tail chasing. By having different levels you bring in the opportunity of having bridges, tunnels and multiple levels to see trains running or hiding them. Near Newcastle there is this tunnel where trains go under the East Coast Main Line on route to Carlisle https://www.google.com/maps/@54.956612,-1.6196034,280a,20y,180h,44.98t/data=!3m1!1e3 You could have something similar a going to the yard. One final point to make in the planning is to consider your baseboard construction and the location of your turnouts and your chosen method of switching them via point motors etc. Will look forward to your progress on this one. Paul Hi Paul, Thank you for the post. I think I have incorporated all of these suggestions in the new track plan. I'm going to be using cobalt DCC point motors for the entire layout. You're right, the size is ambitious, however I am treating this as a 3 year project and won't be disappointed if this blows out to 5 so long as I'm learning and improving my modeling skills and actually achieve some scenes that I am proud off. Be interested in hearing your feedback around the latested track plan proposal. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 On a practical note, given that this is to be modular, you seem to have a lot of turnouts placed across baseboard joins. Prototypically, not sure about the use of back to back crossovers at either end of the station (on the curves). Beyond that, just jealous of the space you have, I've begrudgingly been given one wall of the box room, you must have a very understanding partner. Hi Mickey, There must a misunderstanding as there are no turnouts across baseboard joins? I also am also a bit wary of those back to back points on the curves. I've looked at the points on the bench and they look good but what issues do you think could occur? I would love to see some mini track plans with turnout geometry on bends as I'm kind of making it up as I go along! Look forward to hearing of any suggestions you have to assist with this. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktundu99 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Yes, great suggestion, I've now incorporated a second small station for the Sprinters and Pacers. Would like to hear your feedback around how prototypical this will look as it is only one platform? The alternative is as you suggested is to put one down the right hand side as a branchline however the tiny run from the main station to this one bothers me. Kind Regards Craig I can think of several stations with only one platform ranging from Urban city-centre right through to incredibly rural. Those that spring to mind are: -Emerson Park (on the London Overground) -Alloa (Just outside Stirling, on the end of the route from Glasgow Queen Street) -Any number of stations on the West Highland Line -Belmont (now closed, London) -Silvertown (central London, closed for development works in the last few years, possibly for Crossrail?) -Ongar (near Epping, closed) -Dore (now called 'Dore and Totley' I think, suburban Sheffield, used to be my local station) I'd be tempted to have a look at a few of them online and pinch a couple of ideas. When I lived in Totley in the '90s I remember a vast range of multiple units, from the occasional 108, plenty of 142/3/4s, 158/9s, cement trains from Hope cement works etc. These days the 108s have gone, but there are 150/2/4/6s, 185/6s, the occasional 170. I'd imagine that a comparable (and possibly largely fictional) station near Newcastle could sustain a similar variety of trains without being too contrived as long as you can fit it into your overall picture Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bensanchez43310 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Belmont station is still open... Its on the button-epsom downs lines where belmont, banstead and epsom downs all have 1 platform. Other stations include st albans abbey-hows wood and all stations to watford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Holliday Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Belmont station is still open... Its on the button-epsom downs lines where belmont, banstead and epsom downs all have 1 platform. Other stations include st albans abbey-hows wood and all stations to watford I think ktundo was referring to the Belmont station on the LNWR single line branch to Stanmore. (That station beIng an excellent basis for a branch terminus which has been modelled at least twice, BTW) The one on the Epsom Downs line originally had two platforms, and only lost the other when the branch was turned into a glorified siding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bensanchez43310 Posted April 29, 2016 Share Posted April 29, 2016 I think ktundo was referring to the Belmont station on the LNWR single line branch to Stanmore. (That station beIng an excellent basis for a branch terminus which has been modelled at least twice, BTW) The one on the Epsom Downs line originally had two platforms, and only lost the other when the branch was turned into a glorified siding. Ah okay, cheers for that, didn't know there was two Belmont stations Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordie_in_melbourne Posted February 28, 2017 Author Share Posted February 28, 2017 Hello once again all, As you are aware it has been a long time since my last post. Since then I have been really taking into consideration the points raised about layout operation, what i really want to incorporate into the layout and what stock I wish to run. Here are my essentials: Must be modular so I can pack at least some of the footprint away when not in use as it will be housed in shared family space To run multiple 7+2 HST formations Have a substantial station Incorporate a container terminal (I have been fortunate enough to acquire a Heljan Container Terminal) Keep the Newcastle feel in terms of architecture - Red brick railway arches, large dressed stone walls etc Incorporate cassette storage long enough to accommodate 1000-1200mm cassettes for the HST's, and when aligned also can be used as off-scene storeage for all stock in use at the time Have varying baseboard heights to give extra interest and allow the creation of railways arches as mentioned above After much research and inspiration I have settled on an end-to-end track plan that I think incorporates the above. I would be very grateful of your feedback as I've not 100% convinced that the trackwork looks natural, too straight like setrack and not sure about point and crossover placement (especially the junction before the cassette storage/off scene fiddle yard)? I have already constructed one of the seven main baseboards as I wanted to use this as a test of the construction method. For this I have used 4mm birch ply sandwiched with 42x19mm pine and used 8mm brass dowels for alignment. I'm torn between 6mm or 9mm ply for the actual surface, any thoughts? I will continue with the rest of the baseboard construction once I have considered all feedback and made any necessary changes. Please be brutal with your feedback, I want to get this right (would love to have this published in years to come). Please see below pictures of the track plan and the first of the seven main baseboards. Look forward to your responses. Kind Regards Craig Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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