Tortuga

Looking at the tie bars on that single slip, I’m not 100% happy. Given the position of the signal box relative to the slip at Briggs Sidings, I assume the slip would be operated from the side with the curved rail? If that’s the case, I’m guessing the tie bar doesn’t need to span the full width of the slip? Anyone out there able to help? I think I can do some more modification now I’ve worked out how to remove the spring, but I’ll need to do so before the slip gets secured in place as modifying needs doing from underneath.

While Lil Beth is asleep on my arm, I’ve got a chance to update this thread! As previously mentioned I intended to narrow the gap between lines to the correct 6’ spacing. Due to the difference in OO gauge track and reality, I worked out what the centre to centre measurement between parallel lines is and used that to decide the amount of rail that needed removing from the single slip and the wye on the up line. This turned out to be 33mm and a length of one rail was removed from opposite sides of both the slip and the wye leaving the sleepers in place. Two sleepers were removed from the slip, leaving one chair for the remaining rail on the wye to lock into, while the sleepers and chairs on the wye were halved. On reflection, I should have left two of the chairs on the wye whole in order to better secure the remaining rail on the slip, but hindsight is always 20/20! Once both turnouts are permanently secured in place, I can’t see there being a problem... EDIT; forgot the final photo

I’ve loved reading back through this post. Like many who have commented, I too am a massive fan of LotR and The Hobbit and the level of ‘realism’ you have achieved is amazing - I’m comparing it to photos of the Hobbiton set in New Zealand - excellent idea, very well executed.

Between Daddy Duties today, I managed to make more progress. Before I finish modifying the slip, I also need to modify the asymmetric three way. In a way this is the linchpin for laying all the other trackwork and it’s another one I haven’t seen modified previously. Have to add, it was a post by Beast66606 on this forum that inspired me to have a go at modifying the points and to narrow to the correct 6’ way spacing. So, first up the asymmetric 3-way “linchpin” point; There are two sets of wide sleepers to narrow, two spring mechanisms to remove, two tie bars to slim down and several weird sleepers to get shot of. Firstly I dealt with the toe end by removing the spring mechanism and it’s attached wide sleeper and narrowed the other wide sleeper down Then I slimmed down the tie bar. I was able to get this thinner than on the single slip as it’s a bit more solid underneath. The second mechanism was removed in the same way. I had a go at trimming and sculpting the strange elongated chairs into something approximating something that matches the other chairs. Again, I slimmed down the tie bar, although this time the result wasn’t as good - I’ll see how it holds up and strengthen it if it’s necessary... Finally I removed the weird sleepers. I’ll replace the missing sleepers once the trackwork is all secured in place I did start work on narrowing the 6’, but dinner, Beth and bathtime got in the way!

Time for an update; I’ve finally finished laying the underlay for the sidings. I realise it’s taken a while; firstly because I wasn’t happy with the planned pointwork - I’ve ended up swapping the arrival/departure sidings and loading sidings around, so the loading sidings are the pair closer to the front of the layout - and secondly due to the late arrival of my firstborn, Elizabeth! Despite getting used to Dad Duties and being frequently required for hugs, I’ve managed to find the odd moment here and there to do some work on the layout. With the cork underlay down, my attention has turned to the turnouts. I’ve already explained my rationale behind using Peco Code 75 despite the sleeper spacing issue, but I have decided that they do need modifications to improve their appearance. There’s already been numerous posts on how to do this with standard points, so I’ve been working on modifying the single slip that forms the trailing crossover between up and down lines and the access to the loop from the down line. Firstly the weird, angled sleepers and the long sleepers are removed from each end. I’ll use plastic card to replace these once the slip is in situ on the layout as it will ‘share’ timbers with the points either side of it. Next the elongated double sleepers either side of the tie bar are trimmed down and cut to more clearly represent two sleepers side by side - I’ve no idea if this is prototypical, but it seemed to be the easiest thing to do without building a slip by hand! The tie bar is then “slimmed down” at the outer ends only as, due to the moulding of the tie bars, slimming down between the sleepers would seriously weaken them. The modified sleepers and tie bar are on the left, with the original structure on the right. Next job is to work out how much rail needs removing to get the correct spacing between the up and down lines, but it might be worth getting an updated track plan up on here to make things a bit clearer... Watch this space!

This 3d printing looks to be super useful! Especially for those “forgotten and fiddly” bits! Do you need special computer skills to do this?

I always assumed it was the after the original owner of the lime works, like Beswicks Sidings between Hindlow Station and the branch off to Harpur Hill... Confusingly, there’s also a Beswicks Sidings on the S&C...

Forgot to ask earlier; what’s the overal size of the boards and what track are you using?

I haven’t come across that thread before either. Thanks for finding it for me there’s some useful shots of loading arrangements there. The Hindlow referred to is the station to the north of where my layout is based - home of Beswicks Lime Works (also the name of the works to the north of the station) - while Hindlow Limeworks was located at Briggs Sidings. The naming of various works and stations along this section of line has been a source of confusion for me during my research!

WD0-6-0; minimalist servicing point would look good; small heap of coal with shovel and a couple of buckets, standpipe and hose with associated puddle and, perhaps, a small wooden structure (shed or office sound too grand!) to keep a few tools and cans of oil in... As a headshunt, it would only serve the left hand siding on your first diagram... ‘Tramp steamer’ seems to be a catch all term for any merchant ship without a schedule - the international ones I was thinking of were apparently 355’ long and 48’ wide (1420mm by 192mm in OO), so a smaller coastal one might be better or, because the main bridge was roughly central, model half of one! Oddly enough, I imagined you’d intended to view the layout inside the L shape. As for looking complex, I always associate docks with having complex trackwork for some reason. I’ll be honest; my knowledge of dock railways is very limited, but what always springs to mind are the older ‘general carrier’ docks rather than ones for specific traffic. Therefore, I always imagine that the lines running about the quaysides have been added into existing infrastructure to meet the changing sizes of vessels or amounts/types of goods. Hope that makes sense!

Personally I like the first plan with the diamond crossing - that just screams “DOCK!” to me for some reason! You could have a quay with a couple of cranes and a tramp steamer to the right of the double siding above the crossing. That way van traffic or opens could be shunted into those sidings for loading/unloading. It might be an idea to incorporate a crossover at the end of those sidings to allow them to be operated as a run around loop. I’d also have the uppermost of your fiddle yard entrance tracks running into a dockside building and the lower one acting as the link to the rest of the dock system. Your third siding with the kickback could be backed by warehouses and act as a headshunt. The kickback could be an engine shed or another entrance to a dockside building. Looks like a lot of potential and being based nowhere in particular allows you to run all sorts of traffic. Likewise the name ‘North Quay’ is sufficiently vague to suit this. Going to follow this with interest!

Hehe! That sounds much better - reminds me of watching Tornado on a run (though where, I can’t remember); the carriages made more noise than the loco going full pelt!

Managed to sand the 1/16” cork down to form the super elevation on the curved sections. Following some advice from coachman I made sure that this avoided the point work. Not sure how successful this will be, but we’ll see... And yes, the loop is also super elevated albeit to a very very slight degree... Next stage was to lay the 1/8” cork. For the outer edges, ive used some pre-cut strips from Carr’s - no idea if they still make these, but they save the bother of chamfering the edges! 1/8” sheet cut into strips fills the gap between the chamfered strips. Reference to Bob Essery’s book (referred to previously) indicates no cess between main lines, while the photographic evidence shows no cess between the main line and either the loop (save for the outer end, which hasn’t been modelled) or the entrances to the yard/quarry sidings. And there we are; main lines and loop done with just the sidings to go!

Good old rule one!Like I said in my earlier post, I considered modelling this branch. Being more attracted to freight workings, my idea was to model the junction between the Porthgain Brach and the Branch to St Davids until I realised this would probably consist of at most a single exchange siding with little operating potential other than watching trains go by... I’m really glad to see someone modelling this particular “line-that-never-was” and I’m eager to see how you get on - looks like a solid start!

Wow. Those videos are ace! Well, you’ve decided it for me; I’m just going to have to go dcc, if only for sound alone! The sound has highlighted a couple of things for me though; 1) have you any plans to notch the rails at the correct spacing to replicate the “tac tac, tac tac” of stock passing over the joins? That Dean goods train was beautiful, but I felt the stock glided past a touch too quietly? 2) would a recording of the guards whistle from a hidden speaker at the station not just complete your passenger workings setting off from Carrog?

Looking at the photo, I’d definitely say there’s a reverse curve on the down line as it meets with the up. I’d expect the down line to curve to the right of the photo, but there’s definitely a slight curve to the left...

Thanks for the warning! My points are set on a section of straight track forming part of the transition of a 6’ reverse curve. I’m intending to level out the super elevation well before the points.

Wow! What an impressive layout with amazing attention to detail!

Found it! It’s called ‘Porthgain and Abereiddi A Century of Industry’ by Peter B S Davies. The author used to visit Porthgain with his father as a young boy in the 1930s after the quarries had closed. It’s a fascinating account of the local industrial past, though probably not really relevant to your model! It turns out the link to the St Davids Branch was the line proposed in 1898, which would have run from a junction with the North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Railway at Jordanston (which became the GWR line that still runs to Fishguard) to St Davids via Trefin and Llanrhian. The second branch to St Davids (which I think is the one represented by your model?) was proposed in 1923 and was to run from the then new station at Mathry Road (making this a Junction) to St Davids via Croesgoch. The book mentions “the possibility of a siding being built from Croesgoch to Porthgain” and suggests that the lack of a rail link was a key factor in the decline of the Porthgain Granite quarries. I’m mentioning all this since it provides a possible source of traffic for your layout - would it be outside the realms of possibility for stone trains to Porthgain to have to reverse at St Davids Station?

Not much to report. Both boards are now finished and I’ve got some 1/16” cork stuck down on the curves ready for sanding to achieve the cant. Oh, and the dropped section for the embankment has been cut...

By the way coachman, I’m using your technique for adding cant to the curves on my layout. Can I ask what grade sandpaper you use for sanding down the 1/16” cork?

Hmm interesting. I’m going to assume that the reason for the kink in the up line on the real thing is because trains in this direction would be moving slowly having just set off from Carrog therefore the effect of the reverse curve on passengers would be minimal. Looking back at your photo of the real thing in post #59, I notice the kink in the down line is present (as you’ve modelled); presumably it’s due to trains at Carrog under preservation predominantly using the Up Platform for passenger workings.

I’m going to follow this with interest. I’ve been regularly visiting this area since I was about four and for a while I seriously considered modelling part of the branch to St Davids. Unfortunately my love of BR (M) in the 50s won out... You mention a spur line to Porthgain/Abberidy - I understand that a St Davids Branch was considered twice, both routes being slightly different, and that on the basis of one of them (the later scheme I believe), the Porthgain Granite Company laid dual gauge track along the quay at Porthgain. This incorporated the existing narrow gauge tramway with standard gauge trackwork, the intention being to link up with the St Davids Branch - I think the standard gauge track reached the end of the cottages furthest from the quayside. I’m also fairly certain a steam crane was employed on the quay for loading the steamers. Porthgain is one of my favourite little corners of this coast and all the above I’ve gleaned from a book about its changing fortunes - I’ll post up the books details when I dig it out of wherever it’s hidden!

I’ve just about completed the two baseboards; just need to finish off the frames on the angled end of the long board. I’ve drawn out the plan onto the board to help with laying down cork underlay. I intend to use coachman’s technique for obtaining cant on the curves, but unfortunately I haven’t got any 1/16th cork as yet... The edges of the base of the cutting and the embankment top (decided to incorporate this after all!) have been marked out, together with the locations of the signals. Distances to the edges of the earthworks have been determined using information from Bob Essery’s “Railway Signalling and Track Plans”, while the signal locations are also based on photos. I’ve also made alterations to the track layout; the arrival and departure sidings are the middle pair of tracks located at the right hand end of the board and the “6 foot” between the down main and the loop has been increased to a scale 7’6” (2’6” less than it should be...) The sector plate/quarry board has been finished with the dropped section ready for the sector plate. I intend to motorise this using a captive nut on a threaded bar, with additional bracing for this added to the underside. I have also yet to build the sector plate deck. As always, suggestions, comments, advice or requests for clarification, gladly revcieved!