EasternO

Thanks all, I didn't expect this many responses.

I haven't made my mind up on S7 or O gauge yet, but my 'layout' will be a fairly simple oval in the loft with one or two turnouts to storage lanes. The min radii will be fairly tight, maybe 3' 6" to 4' but I'll put the turnouts on straights.

The modelled era will be Victorian, so mostly 4 wheel wagons and coaches and mostly 6 wheeled locos.

If I laid track (and turnouts) that is perfectly level and at a gauge that suits the wheel standard, would I need to compensate or spring my axles on, for example, a 2 axle wagon?

I can't see why I would need to, but I've never built a layout before.

I really like your thread. I'm drawing up some GER and LNER Standard wagons over Christmas. I'm planning on getting them etched.

Hello, my sympathies on your situation.

As all the pictures are missing, can you give any details and dimensions of the work you have done to date please? And if possible, a few pictures. Thank you in advance.

This was an interesting thread, although the pictures are missing. Did anything happen to this project?

Is S7 definitely out of the question with either of these plans?

This is an alternative plan. I've sacrificed the length of the loop, which is no big deal, and shortened the 3 small sidings, but I've added a longer siding for a couple diesels. The short sidings will still accommodate my 0-6-0 tank locos when I build them. If anyone has any suggestions or alternatives, I'd like to see them.

11 hours ago, Harlequin said:

@EasternO Could you have a lifting section over the loft hatch so that (a.) the plan is less constrained by the access and (b.) you don't bump your head?

 

If so, that would open up the design possibilities.

 

Edit: P.S. Where is the loft hatch on the plan (measurements, please) and which way do you face when coming up?

 

I don't think I could include a lifting section I'm afraid. The hatch is in the bottom left corner, beneath the curve. I don't have measurements at the moment, but I'd say it extends 1/3 of the width of the floor and enter to the middle of the space.

This isn't the whole loft but is all that I have to play with. We've sectioned off other parts of it for storing specific things. There are 'rooms' top and bottom with small doors to access. Similarly, there is a 'room' to the left. The track will be eye level when I'm sitting to allow for the small doors to access the other spaces.

I think I may have optimised the space I have available to create a loop with a few storage sidings. I may have another play tomorrow to see if there's anything else I could do to squeeze in a bit of extra storage at the top end.

Good to know, thanks Ray.

Thank you. Radius and diameter are my Achiles heel.

UPDATE: I have decided on 4mm scale due to limited available space. Still deciding on OO or P4, but will make a temporary test layout in OO first.

I have a few 7mm kits to build (still undecided on O or S7) so I'd like to build a test track and something to run them around me while working on other projects. It doesn't have to be complicated, but when I'm in a playing mood, some sidings to play with would be nice.

I'm not interested in passenger stock, so if any trains are going to be running they will be freight - box vans and maybe some open wagons. As it's a test track I will not be building a 'layout' with scenics. Wire-operated turnouts and DCC control.

My current kits are 0-6-0 short wheelbase steam, but I'd also like a couple Type 2 diesels - nothing bigger than that. This is my loft space. Dimensions in cm

And this is what I have come up with.

The critical area is the bottom left corner as this is where the hatch is. I think I've drawn 6ft rad curves on this plan, but ideally I'd like to reduce this corner so I don't bang my head on the way up. The roof eve is on the right side, and I don't think I can get quite as close to the wall as I've drawn it. I have a bit more space freedom at the top end, which is where I work from anyway. I will likely build the track myself by soldering onto PCB or similar.

Can I make it more interesting? Have I optimised the space available? I looked at double tracking the straights, but I don't think it's possible - certainly not on the right side, but maybe on the left. I know there are some clever designers here because I've been looking at a few in this section while researching. Please, be my guest. Building will start in January.

Excuse my ignorance, but do 2mm mainline diesel loco kits exist, or is there a reliance on RTR conversions? I tried Google but didn't find anything other than a couple scratch aids. Thanks

1 hour ago, brian daniels said:

I have a folder of 04 details here 

 

 

Brilliant. Thank you!

30 minutes ago, Bucoops said:

 

Never model a model but any use?

 

 

That's great. Pretty much exactly as I thought. Not quite sure about the scale of the rods used in this example but this was in my head from memory. Thanks.

Thank you Paul that is very helpful.

Thank you, anything would help at this stage. I'm fairly sure the rods linking each side of levers/shoes were round section (they joined the adjusters at the front which was a tube with nuts), and I'm also fairly sure the rods linking opposite levers/shoes were flat section but I'm not totally sure. Thanks.

I'm working on a project I picked up from someone else but it's missing some precise details about the brake rodding. I'm sure I've seen photos posted here of the underneath of an 04 or 03 showing the brake linkages but I can't find it now. Some of the rods were round bar and some were flat. Both were linked with triangle brackets. Any help would be great.

Thanks for contributing everyone. I suppose the transition period will always be a popular period for a few generations yet. 

For no other reason that my own curiosity I was wondering which is the more popular motive power type used in layouts. Having recently returned to the hobby I haven't seen any survey results, if they exist, so I was hoping somebody could point me in the right direction to get an answer. A very brief tot up of layouts on this forum suggests that the most popular if the transition period between steam and diesel. I also prefer this period.

Brilliant. Stumbled across this thread and glad I did. I look forward to following along.

The kit is available on DJ Parkin's website. I was thinking of buying 3 or 4 but if they were that rare in circulation I probably won't.

27 minutes ago, Sitham Yard said:

There is some confusion here. LNER Dia 186 was an unfitted goods wagon with a steel body but a wooden floor. You need to clarify which kits you are thinking of.

Andrew

The kit is made by ABS. Your description sounds correct.

I'm thinking of buying some kits of the LNER Dia 186 mineral wagon, but I'm lost on where to find information about them. Could anyone with some knowledge give me some insight please?

It's definitely not the Right Price kit. I had one of these too many moons ago and can't remember whether I built that or the Vulcan kit. This test etch set is only a nickel chassis etch with CAD for a full set of 04 locos. I'll take a picture tomorrow.

I just did a search for 'Drewry 04 kit' and I can see a thread about developing an 04 kit but there are no pictures loading. This may be it?

About two years ago I stumbled across a local tool and machinery auction and without any intention of buying anything I bought a box of bits for just a few pounds. In it were a few spares for a Class 15 loco made by The Little Loco Company and some artwork for a Class 04 Drewry, along with what looked like a couple test etches. I was thinking of continuing the development of this kit but I have found out that another company is producing it. I'll probably not make it for sale but it would be interesting to finish it to build myself. I would have liked the tram Drewry all those years ago but nobody made one at the time.