simon b

That will work just fine, the other point can be assumed to be off scene. The trick with this build is not to overthink it, or you'll start to loose the momentum.

From the sounds of it you dont need another big project, just something different. As such I'd say something quite small would suit the bill as you can build it quickly, maybe a 6ft scenic section at most. Perhaps a single platform face with a runaround loop, then a few sidings leading off from that. Last time I had lost interest in working on the big layout I made a simple 2 platform terminus on a lack shelf with a single point. Operation didn't really matter, it was just the fact that I had completed something that I regained the lost enthusiasm.

I've never been a fan of the kick back siding from the lower platform, often thought another loco spur like this would make more sense.

Although probably not possible with 3 rail, a happy compromise if working with Peco medium radius is to use y points on the insides of the crossovers and loco spur. It still looks busy over the straight version, but doesn't have the buffer locking of the original design.

I like it, if your using the 57ft coaches the swing over a reverse curve shouldn't be that bad. Or another idea... How would it affect the plan if you replaced both of the right hand points in the platform roads with y points? That would reduce the swing further and probably square up the tracks leading off the layout?

That looks great, what plans do you have for the end of the sidings next to it?

Sheffield victoria might be another one worth a look, and if you don't want one on a viaduct Banbury has alot going for it.

The length of everything in that plan is wrong, as I said it is only to give an idea and isnt to scale. There is nothing wrong with the Oxford road plan, just trying to offer some alternative ideas that might lead to a more pleasing design.

Yep they are, it isnt to scale at all as I hit the limit of 50 track sections in free anyrail. The whole thing would need to be on a curve to fit in the 14ft length available, but the bays should ideally take a 3 car 158.

It's just another idea for you, dont feel you have to go along with any of them. It's all about designing something that you will be happy with, and suits your operating style. Some people like to play about shunting a yard, others like to watch trains run by.

The great thing about this plan is that you dont need the outer crossovers oxford road has, all reversals are done in the bay roads. You can have your freight and loco hauled passengers going around the circuits via the outer platforms, then bring out a multiple unit from the bays, do a few circuits and bring it into the opposite end bay platform. No need for multiple units to use the fiddle yard at all, saving space for freight trains. I've drawn it with a freight loop on each side, so you can overtake trains. The real station had more loops than that but it's up to you if you want to keep them or have none at all.

Before you pin any track down, try shunting the BYA and 08 around the layout by hand to make sure your happy with how it works. Easy to make any changes now rather than cutting it about later.

Laying more 3rd rail is still possible, it isnt banned as such. You just have to have an exceptionally good reason for doing it.

I know Leicester central was mentioned a few posts ago, I wonder if something like that might better suit your stock? This is just a quick go in anyrail to give you an idea, it isnt to scale at all.

Not sure if this this been posted yet, just popped up in my notifications.

Dan, what sort of trains are you planning to run on this? Mostly multiple units, or longer loco hauled passenger trains?

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that one. There is also a compound about the size required at the old claydon level crossing site, that would probably be about the correct distance from Radley.

Yes huge cost, I would think just getting from Didcot to Oxford would need a new Feeder, let alone EWR on top of that. To do that requires alot of infrastructure outside of the railway. Some people forget that the power has to get to the railway itself, you cant just plug an extension cord in like a trainset.

But it's still useless as you can run through electric freight, which was part of the original "electric spine" plan. Your back to trying to justify electrifying a route solely for the use of 4 trains per hour, I'll bet the maintenance costs alone outweigh the benefit. If it was a deal breaker that EWR had to be electrified from the start it wouldn't get built at all, too expensive.

I'm sure I read somewhere that wiring further than Didcot had been abandoned due to the massive cost increase over what was projected, Bi modes being the solution for the time being. If wires do ever reach Oxford it wont be for another 10 years at least, or until someone does something about the price of electricity for trains.

In that case your latest plan will be perfect, the loop should be able to handle a decent sized bogie wagon so it all works.

I agree completely, and it doesn't look like the wires are going to reach Oxford anytime soon. I've tried explaining this to people before, no point wiring EWR if it doesn't connect with the great western electrification for through traffic.

Just needs a longer loop, but should work great. I'd be tempted to have a second track entering the steel warehouse, and have the traveling crane coming out of the side of the building.

I assumed that was the exit to the fiddle yard as the signal was on it, and all the others were dead ends? It gives you a usable length run round loop for your class 60 that way, you can always use the fiddle yard as the headshunt.

One thing that I should point out in that video is that all the bridges on the Bicester to Bletchley section have enough clearance for OHLE. No further modifications will be needed to install wires. Any that didn't clear have already been rebuilt. It isn't getting wired now because the few multiple units that will use the line doesn't justify it.