barney121e

Hi Just wondering if someone can help. I have a couple of Hornby coaches. They are very light and when i try and run them on a point, they keep derailing unless going straight ahead. However if i apply pressure to the top of the coach, they seem much happier. Do i need to add weight to the coaches, or is there anything else i need to do.

So have laid the track to see how things look. The goods yard did have a third line where the goods shed was. I think it will look good, but just need to finalise the station. Struggling in a little with dimensions for the station but being diligent to get it right. Also going to have a look at turntables, although think it will be too big. There was one before the oil terminal was put in and part of me is wondering if i should have one instead of the fuel depot. Having laid the track a couple of the paints are where the frame of the baseboard is. They are in fiddle so going to see if i can operate them above the board with solenoid motors, to keep things simple. On the plus size, the Peco laser cut signal box is a perfect match for one of the signal boxes so thats bonus.

After many months planning, planning and more planning i have finally settled on a plan, and is of an actual station on the Far North Line. It is a fairly simply affair, being single line with a passing loop at the station. I could model the goods yard area a few different ways from a turntable, a goods shed and two yard lines, but have decided to model it with as it is now, with a small oil depot and two overgrown goods yard lines. The station also had livestock yards at some point, and as it isn't going to be an exact copy, i might model some holding pens. I have had to make some compromises due to area i have. The two curved points are a concern, but having run most of my stock over them for quite a while without any derailments. Maybe have just been lucky but will keep them for now. The 1st radius curve for the oil depot and yard has also been tested with locomotives i will use in that area, and all seem happy. As it is only a small station, most trains were small which helps with the slightly limited platform size. I need to find some Oil storage tanks, the stand up type, but can make my own if needed ( i hope). The station had two signal boxes so will have two on the layout. The level crossing is on a curve, so need to investigate crossing gates on a curve. I think DCC is best way to go, especially as i have a Jones Goods 4-6-0 on pre order.

I already have set track. I think whatever people model there is always going to be compromises etc, unless you live in a big house. And i do worry for the future with houses getting smaller that more compromises will be needed. The real place itself only had small length trains, a brake van, a carriage and a goods van i have seen in quite a few pictures. Will investigate more before taking my decision.

That's a good point. Was more of connecting the dead end sidings. I suppose an option could be to use my heritage line plan as a base with the back story of a heritage society has purchased the area at dornoch to turn into a heritage line. Then I could use the buildings. That's makes sense and might be more enjoyable with a roundup plan. Now just to sort out my Y point issue.

Would you just keep fiddle yard lines as is or would you use points to connect at left hand side? Hope that makes sense.

is OO and can get round all sides, as baseboard on wheels

Just exploring a last option. The plan is for Dornoch and i can get buildings for the exact station and sheds, even the water tower. Thought it was worth looking at before a final decision.

been having difficulty getting the fiddle yard straight, not found exact pieces yet.

I mean the fiddle yard behind the scene at the top.

Hi Can anyone recommend improvements to the fiddle yard on the plan below. The bottom plan is based on a real place and is exactly how it should be. Any help much appreciated.

Does anyone know if Peco made a 3 way point called SL99XX, and is it different to the current SL99 point. I only ask as tried to install the Y point and used a piece of 238 to align 2 tracks parallel and it doesnt work, although in anyrail and scarm it does. Any help much appreciated.

Yeah, i got one of theirs. Only thing is do i need to do anything to it before first use? Lots of videos about tinning the tip, but seems for lower powered irons.

Following help from various members of the forum i now have the trackplan finally sorted (see below). I intend to base the layout in Scotland as a heritage railway, which i will run what i like. I know some people don't like them but will suit me for now as have thoughts on a real location plan for the future. It will be DCC with points operated by servos. At moment all my stock is DC and are diesels and dmu's, but the plan is to wire them up for DCC. Already learnt lots on servicing and repairing old locos, mainly Lima, which i have found very enjoyable. Just need to learn how to solder and will be ready to go. Putting this up will hopefully give me the kick up the rear to get started trying to solder. Building wise, i have a Caledonian Railway's signal box and planning on a Highland Railway station, engine shed and goods shed. I still need to decide on decoupling stuff and what couplings are best to use. Any suggestions welcome. Want to use old signals but to make them work, but still need to look into who does them and how they operate. Seen some youtube videos on it, and looks straightforward enough.

Is that for the second plan? If so, i think the more i think about it that plan needs more room, which could be available in the future, so might be best to stay with the first plan for now.

Well just a little update. Been testing the layout plan and seems to run fine. Been having difficulty deciding where to base it, as because it will be a heritage line i wanted to make the buildings fit the area. However have come across some Highland Line buildings i like so that would seem to be the way ahead. Have also added a Y point to plan, and does seem to suit the plan better. However recently reread a book about the Quintinshill rails disaster. It's a great read if anyone is interested. However the track plan is interesting with a up and down line and sidings on both sides. It's quite a bleak area so buildings would be limited to a signal box, and a small farm. Only issue is i would need to build stock, which although not out of the question, which would take some time. It is also on the mainline so running it as a heritage line might prove difficult. But any ideas how it might work would be of interest. Cheers Dave

Well the coal wagons are definitely possible, the 907 and the sleeping cars might need some digging to find. Might start with a layout plan i have, and once i can get hold of stuff, or build it then maybe move on to Quintinshill.

WCJS?

Well only have 8x4 to start with, so will be rather squashed. But having the two main lines and the passing loops would fit. I do have a generic plan which i could run as a CR heritage line, so thats another option.

Thanks, will take a look. Have joined the association and already received the signal box which is excellent service. Not sure exactly what way i will go. Might get the signal book and see what possibilities it opens. First in my mind is Quintinshill, but will see what else might work.

I see Hornby do a 4-40 and 4-6-0 i think, how easy is it to repaint and adjust to make it a CR one? Thanks Jim Will take a look.

How about 4-4-0s and 4-6-0s?

Yeah that would help. OO gauge, never built a kit but willing to give it a try.

Hi Jim How do you go about getting rolling stock? Have got modern diesels to run on a what if CR was still running the line, but would like to get some CR stock if possible.

I see the book talks about signals as well, so that will help me out as well. Although my layout will be just a rough view of the line, i will try and be realistic as i can.