00 Sierraton Main Line/Carltonholme Branch Line Terminus

[Steam here!]

Step 6:

Loco outside the main MPD office.

Inside driver is requiring permission to leave the MPD and to enter the main line section.

To Sierraton Station.

Edited May 30, 2020 by Steam here!
Made an error

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Step 7:

Driver's granted permission to enter section from signalman.

[Steam here!]

The ash pit, Ash tower and coal drops.

 

The ash tower will stand just above the hoppers.

I intend to build a ramp upto the ash tower for the staff with wheel barrows.

 

Regarding the coal drops I intend to develop them further, by making sure that wagons with side doors can also be used here.

(The coal drops will be like a hybrid or some sort).

 

The orignal plan around the coal tower was to have a siding at the side of the coal tower.

Due to lack of space and a compress feeling, I went for the "less is more" aproach.

 

Edited May 30, 2020 by Steam here!
Post duplicated

[Steam here!]

Just regarding the Airfix turntable, I looked at the one located at Minehead on the West somerset railway.

 

SOURCE:

Wikipedia.org

>West Somerset Railway

 

Below are comparison models between the Airfix version and the one at Minehead.

 

 

 

[Steam here!]

Other things have been happening as well on the layout, I have now reached the stage where I am satisfied, with the track plans and station names of the branch line.

 

In the real world due to space, some of it has to be imagined off scene and comparessed.

The road bridge is supposed to act as a scenic break.

If you look closely at the photos, you can see where I have had to widen it.

 

Regarding the branch line route. station names are as follows in this order:

 

Carltonholme = branch line terminus

Vauxwell (off scene)

Fordington (off scene)

Roversmith (off scene)

Sierraton = Sierraton MPD/ mainline/ run round loops.

 

Each station along that branch line route has a purpose, there are in some cases conflicts and contrasts depending what the station facilities have to offer regarding the different trades and businesses and station facilities and railway structures.

 

Below I  have included the finalised track plans of the branch line:

Edited June 1, 2020 by Steam here!
Made an error

[Steam here!]

I'll now talk you through each of the other stations, I covered Carltonholme earlier on and in turn its only right I cover the other stations along the route.

 

1st off is Vauxwell station (Off scene station)

 

Vauxwell is a very narrow but long and busy 2 platform station, due to the steep gradients on either side of the station grounds the area couldn't be made any wider.

 

Below I have listed the  station facilities that I think separate from the rest of the route.

 

Colliery:

The collieries facilities are very basic, a busy place but very crammed, to make things more interesting due to the entrance of the colliery just after the level crossing, the driver has no choice but to proceed to Carltonholme to run round before heading in the opposite direction.

 

Colliery = I thought it would be interesting to bring different, but  unusual types of locos into the scene, such as Pecketts.

 

Limestone works:

Again due to the entrance location, the driver has no choice but to proceed to Carltoholme to run round before heading in the opposite direction.

 

Limestone works = I wanted Carltonholme to have a varied but controlled number of different types of goods delivered.

 

Carriage shed/sidings:

Where most of the branch lines coaches are stored, cleaned and repaired or overhauled. 

 

Carriage shed/sidings = I thought it would be interesting to have fixed and adjustable coach sets for interest.

[The Johnster]

15 hours ago, Steam here! said:

Step 7:

Loco placed on the road.

(Not sure if this would be road 1 or road 2, with the breakdown train on the left).

Roads were usually numbered with no.1 being closest to the running line or left to right facing a fan of sidings.  

 

15 hours ago, Steam here! said:

[Steam here!]

Ah The Johnster, thank you, that's great help, it'll make things easier for me in the long run, With shed, loco and freight procedures.

[Steam here!]

Fordington (off scene station) is where is gets interesting, between here and Vauxwell, its double track. Also, this is the busiest station on the branch line, dealing with 9 types of freight/trade combined from both directions, not to mention businesses spurring of the running lines just outside the station itself. I wanted to create just out of interest a congested but efficient atmosphere at the same time.

which would involve a lot of  dropping and picking goods up.

 

I wanted to include three sets of cross overs to brake the sections up a bit, so where is shunting taking taking place between the cattle dock, mill and goods shed with the kick back siding opposite it next to the level crossing.

Another locomotive could enter the station from Vauxwell and have no interference.

 

Plus, some of the freight that will come to Carltonholme, won't necessarily be used, it will remain more or less with the brake van and mostly likely come back in this direction.

 

 

Sand works:

There is only the one line entering the works and in order for it to be attached or detached either the way the loco has to push the empty sand wagon in first. In order to attach the wagon to the train, the loco must reverse down the up platform over the level crossing and run round that wagon and then go to the front to attach.

For detaching on the up platform, the loco must pull forward with the sand wagon, reverse down the down platform and push it in. Once done back down the down platform over the crossover, change points and re-couple, carry on to next journey.

 

All steam locos need sand for traction, to aid in wet and poor weather conditions, Carltonholme MPD will need sand on a regular basis. 

 

Iron works:

There is only the one line entering the works and in order for it to be attached or detached either the way the loco has to push the empty Iron wagon in first. In order to attach the wagon to the train, the loco must reverse down the up platform over the level crossing and run round that wagon and then go to the front to attach.

For detaching on the up platform, the loco must pull forward with the sand wagon, reverse down the down platform and push it in. Once done back down the down platform over the crossover, change points and re-couple, carry on to next journey.

 

This will receive regular delivery from another station mostly Carltonholme (working on Carltoholme goods register)

 

Loading dock:

This is an over flow if you like from goods shed, due to how busy it gets on a regular occurrence, its necessary to have this ease congestion of loading and unloading general goods.

 

On the up line going to Roversmith the loco uncouples the necessary wagons and pulls forward to the very end of the crossover past the level crossing. uncouples, runs round re-couple and reverses down the down platform towards Vauxwell and then crosses the cross over. pulls forward clearing the points for the siding for the loading dock towards the station limits and reverses in.

 

Thankfully a lot easier on the down platform, loco uncouples the wagons, pulls forward towards the station limits and reverses on the cross over and then pulls forward on the up line (but going in the wrong direction) and proceeds to the station limits and then reverses in.

 

Siding for empties:

The siding is also ease congestion, but also to be allowed to make up goods trains.

 

The procedures are the same for the Loading dock.

 

Coal merchant:

Every station on my branch line has a coal merchant, coal merchant, for businesses, factories and homes, I Deliberately put it on the upside of the line (heading toward Roversmith) one reason is because the coal comes from Vauxwell colliery meaning its the 3rd station on the line to recieve coal.

Loco arrives in the station from Vauxwell, uncouples, pulls forward pass the final set of cross overs, reverses into coal merchant.

uncouples, pulls forward, stops just before level crossing reverses back onto train in platform re-couples and departs for Roversmith.

On the down platform, the loco will proceed straight to Vauxwell and on the way back (up line) it will set down the coal.

 

Coal delivery sequence:

1st stop = Carltonholme

2nd stop = Vauxwell

3rd stop = Fordington

4th Stop = Roversmith

5th Stop = Sierraton (at this point coal wagons either go to Sierraton colliery, Sierraton MPD or return to Vauxwell Colliery).  

Goods shed:

On the down line, in a small pocket with the cattle dock, mill and kick back siding. The purpose of this was good access, The goods shed faced the station forecourt which had a generously large parallel entrance just like the one for the Loading bay, siding for empties and the coal merchant.

Also it made sense to locate adjacent to the mill, for ocassions when the Mill goods demand was increased and needed extra rolling stock to help.

 

On the down line, loco stops at the end of the platform, loco uncouples pulls forward, crosses the cross over, reverses down the  up platform and stops before the final set of crossovers (in front of the tunnel), uncouples, runs round to crossover at the beginning of the down platform, reverses to the tunnel, re-couples, reverses into the tunnel, pushes forward to the goods shed.

 

Cattle dock:

On the down line, play a vitals role for cattle markets and offers operational interest, again generous entrance.

 

On the down line, loco stops at the end of the platform, loco uncouples pulls forward, crosses the cross over, reverses down the  up platform and stops before the final set of crossovers (in front of the tunnel), uncouples, runs round to crossover at the beginning of the down platform, reverses to the tunnel, re-couples, reverses into the tunnel, pushes forward to the cattle dock.

 

 

Mill:

 

Textiles also plays as a major key industry, tucked in, in a small pocket along with the cattle dock, goods shed and kick back siding. This also has a generous premises with several buildings, its own siding and an agreement with the railway should they need more rolling stock or extra loading facilities they can use the goods shed, but only if its free and doesn't interfere with the railway operations.

 

On the down line, loco stops at the end of the platform, loco uncouples pulls forward, crosses the cross over, reverses down the  up platform and reverses to the tunnel, pulls forward to the cattle dock, reverses onto the mill siding.

    

Granite works:

 

The granite works was needed for the branch, which country roads, ballasting for the railway payments, yards was needed and is still operational, it also sends some to Sierraton mainline when they are in short supply and some also go to Carltonholme, which is just 2 miles short from the coast.

 

Probably one of the easiest shunting sequences on the station!

 

 Loco uncouples wagons, pulls forward to the last crossover before the tunnel, uncouples, moves forward, reverses down the down line to the beginning of the down platform, crosses over to the up line, re-couples, pushes wagon forward to granite works, uncouples, reverses to rest of the train in  the up platform, re-couples, departs for Roversmith. 

Edited June 1, 2020 by Steam here!
Missed out some detail

[Steam here!]

Lastly Roversmith (off scene station), a small long, narrow and compact station site, with the least amount of trade, least amount of types of businesses and there is not really a passing loop, only except a small one to be used for shunting wagons to the timber yard, farm siding for milk to the fuel refinery).

There is also a goods shed on accessed while travelling in the down position to Fordington, while on the up line side is the coal merchant that can only be accessed by travelling in the direction to Sierraton.

Even though, the site isn't asgrand as Fordington, Vauxwell or Carltomholme, it still gets busy and is still vital to the railway network.

 

Timber yard:

The timber yard, is solely in the right place, with forests nearby and the demand for carpentry, for craftsman and shops, industrial even for railway purposes this is where its located, the location is also quite useful, as it located outside the station, this where the run round loop can be used to gain access, not only to the timber yard, but also to the farm siding and the fuel siding.

 

Loco travelling to Fordington, uncouples train, moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into timber yard.

Loco travelling to Sierraton, stops at crossover before the station. Uncouples, pull forward, stops after crossover, reverses, to the station limits, pulls up to the brake van, couples up, pushes the rest of the goods train into the station. Reverses back to the loop, uncouples wagon, pulls forward pass the crossover. Reverses down the down line on the loop to the station limits. pulls forward and re-couples the wagon, pulls back to the station limits, pushes wagon into the timber

 

 

Farm siding:

This is the only station that has the facilities for milk tanker wagons to be filled up (not sure on the whole milk tanker journey process - beginning to the end) This is vital for the dairy at Carltonholme, as it needs to not  only supply Carltonholme, but also Vauxwell and Fordington as well as here Roversmith.

 

Loco travelling to Fordington, uncouples train, moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into timber yard.

Loco travelling to Sierraton, stops at crossover before the station. Uncouples, pull forward, stops after crossover, reverses, to the station limits, pulls up to the brake van, couples up, pushes the rest of the goods train into the station. Reverses back to the loop, uncouples wagon, pulls forward pass the crossover. Reverses down the down line on the loop to the station limits. pulls forward and re-couples the wagon, pulls back to the station limits, pushes wagon into the dairy farm siding.

 

Fuel Refinery:

 

Loco travelling to Fordington, uncouples train, moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into timber yard.

Loco travelling to Sierraton, stops at crossover before the station. Uncouples, pull forward, stops after crossover, reverses, to the station limits, pulls up to the brake van, couples up, pushes the rest of the goods train into the station. Reverses back to the loop, uncouples wagon, pulls forward pass the crossover. Reverses down the down line on the loop to the station limits. pulls forward and re-couples the wagon, pulls back to the station limits, pushes wagon into the fuel refinery

 

Goods Shed:

Due to with of the land on the station site, it wasn't possible to install a passing loop, never mind a second a platform with double track, for both directions. The goods shed can only be accessed in the station. However road entrance is accessible but its not as generous as Fordington's.

Loco  travelling to Fordington, stops at the end of the platform travelling in Fordington Direction, uncouples, wagons, pulls forward to the loop, organises the wagons for those that are needed for the goods shed, once done the loco must reverse back into the station and push the wagons into the the goods shed, the rest of the wagons on the loop need to be rejoined onto the goods train.

Picking up wagons is a lot easier, loco stops, before the goods shed crossover. Uncouples,moves forward, stops after crossover, reverses into goods shed siding, couples up, pulls forward towards end of the platform, reverses back to rest of the train, re-couples and departs For Fordington. 

 

Coal merchant:

Can only be accessed by facing in the Sierraton direction. Its a small but good size for the size of the village, not many coal wagons needed.

Loco stops at the end of the platform, uncouples wagons, pulls forward to clear the crossover, reverses into coal merchant's, uncouples, pulls forward past the crossover, reverses back onto train, re-couples, departs for Sierraton.

Edited June 1, 2020 by Steam here!
Made an error

[Steam here!]

Hello everyone, its time for a layout update.

Majority of it wil be focused on the MPD and a start on the freight operations on my branchline section.

Edited June 29, 2020 by Steam here!
Post duplicated

[Steam here!]

Crossing gates are in position, with pedestrian gates also.

Fencing in place for country load exiting the scene.

Realistic road surface in place and level crossing surface has been painted to give a more realistic surface.

Edited June 29, 2020 by Steam here!
Made an error.

[Steam here!]

Some more fence work carried out.

The retaining wall sides for the turntable road and the weathered buffers.

[Steam here!]

Here we have what would have been the original engine shed for the MPD that has since altered.

My reason for the operational side of things was because of the left hand road wasn't capable of storing two tender locos and because of this it blocked the coal tower road.

So I've extended both roads and have also put in fencing at this end.

I've also been working on the ash tower and placed real ash inside.

I've also extended the coal drop pillers, so there more or less the length.

The white gate is there to give me an idea.

 

One problem I did have was loose buildings and they took a few attempts to get them back to how I positioned them.

 

To solve this I made a card frame around the buildings (still have more to do).

With these frames every time i pick up, buildings its easier and when I place them down I no longer have to try and reposition them.

This has also been done to the ash and coal tower and to the other sheds.

Edited June 29, 2020 by Steam here!
Made an error.

[Steam here!]

I'm now pleased to say as well that the sand house is now complete.

(Metcalfe boiler house).

[Steam here!]

A view you don't normally see of the road bridge (the scenic break).

I've been weathering the bridge portals to give them a more realistic feeling.

 

Also in this photo, just between "Stepney" and the E4 and GWR no: 101, I've been working on the water crane bases and the difficult part is to the level for reasonable height.

Low enough for low sided  locos: "City of Truro" etc

 

High sided locos

Q1 etc:

Edited June 29, 2020 by Steam here!
Made an error.

[Steam here!]

An attempt at building a low relief coal stage for small locos (Currently loose on the layout). Will be placed just behind the coal tower.

 

Going back to the coal drops making it a hybrid, with the space I've got, I've been trying a few things and am now fairly certain I've found something that I can make it work.

[Steam here!]

Now the the branch line freight operations.

For quite a while I’ve had some loco cards made up.

Only in the last day or two, I've managed to get 1st draft on the other cards.

 

• Wagons Available - what wagons are available, where they are, where are they going and who do they belong too.

• Waybill - primarily  for type of goods, seperate one fot brake van.

• Train arriving card - type of train and for when it departs.

• Goods out register and the goods now identified on the route.

 

This is not the final draft, this is just to give an idea what I will be doing.

 

Source:

www.youtube.com > David Hyde > Deresley

 

I got the ideas from David Hyde on youtube who has a model railway called "Deresley"  full credit goes to him.

 

I've simply adapted the ideas to my layout:

 

• To keep it interesting

• No 2 days are the same.

• A variety of freight and passenger levels.

• To enhance realism.

 

Having now reached the stage of how I want my freight cards to look (locos will either be freight, passenger or mixed? Not sure about mixed traffic locos)?

I can make more and the process will ne quicker.

 

 

Edited July 23, 2021 by Steam here!
Made an error.

[Steam here!]

Just out of curiosity, here is how Carltonholme was originally built, simply, a single platform with a short siding next to the loco release.

The coal merchant was where the bay platform is now and the track between here and Vauxwell was single line.

[Steam here!]

Hello everyone and welcome back to the railway for another update and a rebuild of "Carltonholme" branch line terminus. 

Since the last update I turned my attention back to the branch line section as I wasn't as happy as I thought I was. (I built it without any programmes to assist me - only discovered SCARM afterwards).

 

One of the biggest issues was the uncoupling, you may have noticed I used the Hornby R620 uncoupling ramps, sadly not as succesful as I hoped, better than the peco ones, but not perfect. Some locos happily glided over them while others got stuck.

 

I wanted to keep the tension lock couplings the Hornby big D and the Hornby medium, so did a bit of reasearch and looked into the Brian Kirby method and sadly no avail.

 

Looked at the Kadees and it was something I didn't want to do because I preferred to keep the tension locks.

Surprisingly I have to say the Kadees are very reliable, they make the rolling stock and locos look tidier, more realistic.

Another plus I will be able to uncouple in more places than I thought originally.

I have started to buy packs of the NRM 19 & 20 due to having 2nd radius curves as a minimum.

I've alzo purchased the Kadee starter pack Kadee 1030.

Regarding the rebuild of "Carltonholme" I have exented width ways to 71.cm.

One other thing that I have started to include is the use of Peco streamline points and have to say there are some differences.

The points are longer, yet you can fit more track in roughly the same space.

 

Regarding the track plan, I have been playing round on SCARM for a while and having taken ths idea of "Barnstaple" (Victoria Road).

I can maximise the space. (What I lack in width, I can make up for in lentgh. 

The idea come from a book I purchased by "Terry Booker" - Goods Trains, Goods Sheds and Yards in the steam era.

At this stage the track is loosely based to get a feel of how things will be panned out.

One other thing I am considering is scratchbuilding the platform (we'll see how this goes- will be done at a much later date).

 

[Steam here!]

One thing that I trouble with the previous design was lack of space (to store carriages and wagons) and positionings for structures.

Having being inspired by the carriage shed at Oxenhope on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway I decided I wanted one on my branch line, what I hadn't realised was how short the Bachmann buildings are.

For me to store a rake of 3 coaches, I needed 3 units. Also when looking what was available for the oo gauge market its either this, the three road carriage shed or the Ratio GWR version.

[Steam here!]

Here you can see I've fitted the Kadee NEM 19 to the end of the Bachmann SE&CR Birdcage coach (this is a fixed rake of three).

On the other end is the Hornby close coupling type used for fixed rakes.

[Steam here!]

The Dairy and the fuel depo will remain in this corner, the track is all loose and will be adding the magnets at a later date.

One thing you might have picked up on is how will I be shunting between the dairy, fuel depot and carriage shed on road 2? (Where the coach is).

Road 2 will have priority in terms of which coaches are to be used 1st, freeing that road, means than I can shunt the tankers between th dairy and fuel deopt.

Regarding road 2 being prioritised and not road 1.

The door on the carraige units are only on one side of the building, a small compromise happy to live with.

Edited July 29, 2020 by Steam here!
Made an error.

[Steam here!]

The main platform, run around loop and sidings, using streamline points.

Peco set track/streamline tool.

(Sorry about the quality of photos).

[Steam here!]

Some more work done on the branch line terminus, have started to nail down the track.

With the mixture of express and set track.

 

Been trial and error where to locate the magnets.