The Bigbee Line Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) Just spent a fruitful afternoon creating a start on a Caterham style terminus. Browsing through RM Web I had come across a picture of an Ian Rice terminus just over 6 foot long. Using off-cuts of ply and spare timber from stock, the boards were roughly crafted together. There are two main structural members with various cross pieces. These are capable of being moved to avoid point motors etc. As it is mainly to give a place to run my stock of Southern Region electrics and a bit of local freight action. This is version 1. With a small 2 track yard with one siding coming off a head shunt as a kick back. The area for the platform is quite wide, maybe thinner might look better. There is also a single siding at the back that can feed an end loading dock. Simplified to version 2. The small yard now has both sidings branching off the loop. Leaving out the head shunt and narrowing the platform slightly gives a better flow and will allow the baseboard front edge to be curved to follow the line of loop and sidings. This is the area for the small goods yard. The coal bins will not be modelled as they are off scene at the front. Finally a 2-HAL. The booking office will be on an overbridge, so both platform tracks may continue off scene under the bridge. The short siding behind the unit could be extended to form a short 3 car carriage siding. Let's see where this layout goes?? Edited March 27, 2017 by The Bigbee Line 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
puck Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Hi I've always liked the look of the Iain Rice plan. I've never quite worked out the freight side of this one. It seems a bit strange to use the In road for runround moves and double shunt back into platform to leave station; unless another crossover deemed of stage? I look forward to watching your progress with this as it looks like my kinda thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Hi I've always liked the look of the Iain Rice plan. I've never quite worked out the freight side of this one. It seems a bit strange to use the In road for runround moves and double shunt back into platform to leave station; unless another crossover deemed of stage? I look forward to watching your progress with this as it looks like my kinda thing. I was attracted to the plan as it gave me passenger working with a minimum of point work. The shunting of freight at a terminus always involves getting the brake van run round and placed somewhere to build outgoing wagons. To simplify working, freight trains could have a brake van marshalled front and rear. Assuming single brake van operation, the first move would involve cutting off the brake and shunting the sidings at the front. Then a run round and standing the brake van off somewhere. Picking up the train, onto the brake, then preparation ready to depart. The amount of shunting is minimal and needs to take place between passenger moves. I need to refine the track layout to give an even width to the platform, but at the same time not too boring and straight... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 Well, another couple of hours removing track pins, slewing track and pinning down. I changed the access to the two short sidings to allow some slight curving to the tracks at the front of the board. The engine release crossover was reformed using a right hand curved and long Y points. The next image shows the engine release. The view is foreshortened as there is actually enough track for another 2 car before the stops. There is plenty of width for the platform and the 2-HAL show where a 4 car will sit, enough room for a ramp, signals etc before the tracks converge. The small 2 road goods yard will be 2 equal length straight parallel tracks. If a small trap point can be worked into the layout then both tracks to the left of the platform could be signalled for passenger moves and theoretically carry on into the distance. The tracks to the rear (right) of the board were curved to follow the platform, when I spotted a 'school boy error'..... The connection points spanned the baseboard joint..... Re-think required.... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 (edited) First a platform view looking towards the station throat: I tried a couple of variations Then trying this configuration. It allows parallel working into the platforms. Looks like the winner. Edited March 14, 2017 by The Bigbee Line 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungus the Fogeyman Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Is this another of your conceptual layout Ernie, or will track actually be attached to board this time round! Disgusting of Market Harborough Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Goldfish Posted March 14, 2017 Share Posted March 14, 2017 Is the double slip to be replaced with a single in that final incarnation? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 Is this another of your conceptual layout Ernie, or will track actually be attached to board this time round! Disgusting of Market Harborough I don't know what you mean...... There is a willingness to get something running, I have been sorting out stock and Linda does like to see it running. So once I have settled on the alignment it will go down.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 14, 2017 Author Share Posted March 14, 2017 Is the double slip to be replaced with a single in that final incarnation? No, the Double Slip will remain as the layout is to use up a plentiful stock of code 100. The crossover that I have added in my suggested 'improvement', can be moved a little closer to the viewer to allow a 4 car unit to depart and still allow another train to run into the other platform. Tomorrow night might see another tweaking session. I am thinking about narrowing the platform slightly so the right hand track doesn't slip off the side of the board... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Goldfish Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 Fair one, understand the idea of designing around code 100 already in stock rather than needing to buy more, it's what I do when I toy with GWR plans for the future. (If you want a free code 100 single slip I have one spare....we are just a water tower away from each other ) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 Fair one, understand the idea of designing around code 100 already in stock rather than needing to buy more, it's what I do when I toy with GWR plans for the future. (If you want a free code 100 single slip I have one spare....we are just a water tower away from each other ) Thanks, I'll take you up on that off (PM to be sent after), just about to post this evenings shuffle.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 15, 2017 Author Share Posted March 15, 2017 After yesterdays last minute change of plan I looked at the prototype track arrangement and decided that the reversal of the crossover on the right suited the look of the prototype. I pondered the use of single v double slip. So I shuffled the track about. There were several key but subtle changes: A section of plain line was added between the turnout leading to the 2 sidings. This will allow a short trap point to be added (a cut down peco point). The engine release had the curved point swapped for a plain RH turnout. It pulls the track away from the platform and allows the other platform line to move forward and run off the end of the board rather than off the side. Review of the plan suggests 2 other trap points. One at the open end of the loco release road allows wagons and other stock to legitimately stand without risk of running away onto the main line. The other forms the trap to the siding at the rear. I need to check it that siding was juiced up as it would make a useful carriage siding. The kind offer of a code 100 single slip has clinched the deal. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 A visit today by 'Satan's Goldfish' brought the welcome addition of a code 100 single slip. An additional bonus is that the crossings (frogs) in the slip are much finer and 'minfits' don't nose dive into the gulch.... So where do we go from here... A decision has been made to use a rod to control the points with access at both front and rear, with a cheap slide switch to change the crossing polarity. I have a tub of cycle spokes hiding in the garage that could be used in a back to back format to act as the rods. The next step is to assemble the station throat point work on a sub-base of thin ply and laminate floor underlay. Thanks again to 'Satan's Goldfish'. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Goldfish Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 A visit today by 'Satan's Goldfish' brought the welcome addition of a code 100 single slip. An additional bonus is that the crossings (frogs) in the slip are much finer and 'minfits' don't nose dive into the gulch.... So where do we go from here... A decision has been made to use a rod to control the points with access at both front and rear, with a cheap slide switch to change the crossing polarity. I have a tub of cycle spokes hiding in the garage that could be used in a back to back format to act as the rods. The next step is to assemble the station throat point work on a sub-base of thin ply and laminate floor underlay. Thanks again to 'Satan's Goldfish'. You're most welcome. Always nice to meet another modeller and be able to tell the wife that the state of my garage is normal! (Plus the state of Watton's 'interesting' road layout. There's probably only 100 meters and no other buildings between our houses, but it's about a 1 mile walk/drive!) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 I opened my pack of laminate floor underlay in honour of the final phases of track layout selection... The single slip was pinned down, with a Medium Point from the Down Line and a Large Point to the Up Line. The crossover from No.1 Platform to the Up Line was originally a Medium Point, but this was changed to Large as it will give the necessary separation to the operating rods when they reach the front and rear edges of the baseboards. . A rake of Bachmann Minfits can now rattle through without the terrible lurch as the wheel dropped at the crossing. A purchase of some insulated joiners will allow the construction to move to the next stage. This is an end on view of the revised throat... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 18, 2017 Author Share Posted March 18, 2017 This evenings bodgers delight was to try and remedy some nodding wagons... As I have been using up points from the 'stash' I had settled on those with the finer flange ways. However the re-vamp with the single slip caused me to focus on the throat. The single slip cured a large amount of nodding, but the use of long points looked much better. Big problem was that the were the Peco 'Grand Canyon' version: Shown below is the lift when a wheel drops into the canyon... When held in the dip of a finer point, the effect is negligible. Being a tight wad and wanting to save more purchases, I had already decided to create three sets of trap points by cutting off the frog section. So a quick comparison (laying a medium over a large) suggested that the frog ends were the same. Quick hacking session with a razor saw to chop a medium and a long, some trimming to let 1/2 fishplates join the outer rails, the inner closure rails would have gaps left to isolate the frog. Slight dismay as I noticed that to match the cuts in the medium I ended up with a point of intermediate length. The small buggeration factor is that the curved rails did not quite align..... I'm hoping that a slight easing session with a hot soldering iron will let me wide the gauge by 1/2mm to line them back up again. So I might need to make a Ebay purchase after all.. In the picture below: Top = Unadulterated Large Middle = Large/medium combo Bottom = Medium. The arrow shows the misalignment. Maybe these can find use in the yard.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Goldfish Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Should be able to 'persuade' that in to line with a little heat. I have a diamond crossing holding at a 3ft radius (webbing was cut) because it spent a couple of weeks on a hot radiator held in position. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Just had an hour in the workshop. Such a nice day that the garden took precedence... During the week I made a Hattons purchase of 4 electrofrog large points, then a local purchase of 2 pieces of ply 18" x 48". So much for using parts I already had......... The net result is my latest version of Caterham station throat, the new pointwork had a nice flow. The tracks from left to right are: The loco release / run round / reception. Only access to inbound moved. Departures need to shunt to a platform road. Platform Line Platform Line Carriage Siding I trimmed off the curious peco bent sleepers from each turnout. The only hiccup was the fact that the large turnout is 8-9mm longer that the single slip, hence the temporary extra pieces of rail spliced in. These will not be permanent fixture, I will remove a section of rail from the non-frog side where the slip and turnout face each other, splicing a replacement that is 9mm longer. Next items on my wish list are wire coat hangers to become the point operating rods. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theplasticbrummy Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Another Standard Gauge Challenge layout coming on a storm. Who'd have thought a stupid suggestion last July would cause all of this modelling? Station throat point work looks great, Ernie, especially the trap point. Looking forward to seeing the layout progress and hopefully seeing you at LR2017 - Your ar*e warmer was missed last year. "Watching with interest". Cheers, Andy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Good evening, Just to show it's not just track laying and trains... Thanks to Paul Wade for the information allowing me to complete a SX (Saturdays Excepted, in railway lingo..) station working sheet. I will be using 2 BIL/HAL as the equivalent of the 4EPB. Just need to get my head round exactly how many units are required. I like the fact that there is some splitting of units and the odd working in and out of the siding during the day. Even an ECS working to Selhurst Depot. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 The last thing on the layout this evening was to look at the connection to the 2 sidings that would form the rudimentary Goods yard. On my initial sketch I planned a trap point between the sidings and the run round. As the loco release road / goods reception had it's own trap, there was no need for a trap from the sidings. I had thought of using a left hand turnout, but this made the adjacent platform line alignment a quite small radius curve. To improve the look I tried a large Y. It looked just the ticket and seems to be the way to go, it gives a nice curve to the platform road. Below are the components roughed out to show the layout. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 After work today, a quick half hour in the workshop before dinner. I'd been thinking about likely freight traffic and domestic coal would have topped the list. Maybe a little other traffic, Caterham did have a goods shed so some van traffic is possible. I laid in the large Y point, leaving about 100mm between the tie bar and the baseboard joint. The siding nearest the front of the baseboard was left straight and the other one laid parallel. The big question is where to put the coal bins... Looking back towards the throat you can see the gentle curve created by the use of the large Y This arrangement gives a space between the sidings and the approach tracks. I'll need to browse various books for inspiration / ideas....... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 A Goods Shed, Do I or Don't I... I wanted to stick to 18" maximum width, but a goods shed is quite iconic. The shunt requirement would make the freight working a little more interesting. Some suggestions / comments appreciated. Here's a 'artists impression' based on the real Caterham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Goldfish Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 How about simplifying that track arrangement and having the shed at the end of the release/run-round line? Will still make for some very interesting/challenging shunting depending on the length of freight and where the wagons are in the rake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bigbee Line Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw051529?search=caterham%20station&ref=0&quicktabs_image=2#quicktabs-image How about simplifying that track arrangement and having the shed at the end of the release/run-round line? Will still make for some very interesting/challenging shunting depending on the length of freight and where the wagons are in the rake. post-2484-0-58214900-1490554567_thumb.jpg I hadn't thought of that one... However it is an obvious choice.. Last night browsed the Britain from above website, it has a couple of good pictures of the station yard, including: http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw051529?search=caterham%20station&ref=0&quicktabs_image=2#quicktabs-image Interestingly if you subscribe, no cost, you can zoom in: The goods shed quite compact, just about the right position. Look at the coal bins behind, virtually rail locked 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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