burtos

Still seems to be a delay in receiving peco track, ordered last week from hattons. But they couldn't say when they would be sent out.

3 hours ago, LMS14B said:

Good morning Harlequin

Thank you for your post.

The orders have now been placed for the track and I am happy to report its Electrofrogs all the way.

 My next job is to work out were to fit the insulating fish plates to avoid the those pesky shorts.

Regards

Dougie

 

This may help you out 

https://dccwiki.com/PECO_Electrofrog

Hi ITG

IT will be peco 75 and its flexi track equivalent, so did the tweak you suggested, but cant really get the wash plants to an angle as  i think they well start to encroach the FY a bit too much. Maybe when on the actual baseboard i could tweak it further., to try and get some sort of angle going. 

That is one scenario and mixture of others aswell   (wash only, depot fix, fuel than final wash)

I don't know why but im still leaning towards the set track layout setup as it looks more spread out and not squashed like the peco 75, i probably just need to get use to how shallow the angles are on the points which than push the track further along the baseboard

its to allow out going locos to go to the 2nd wash plant. which is the middle track the top track is for incoming locos that require the wash plant and the bottom track is for locos that dont need either

I have added in the long diamond piece, but get a gap on the bottom between the 2 points. but would fill that with a bit of flexi track. 

done the layout as streamline, definitely a lot shallower points angle than set track.

now i have an issue highlighted below, where i cant get the cross rail to fit in the setup i want.  just wondering if i need to use any other track piece

2 hours ago, ITG said:

Hornby set track has almost identical geometry to Peco Set track (which is code 100). Peco 100 Streamline is flexi track, as, of course, is Peco code 75. But I think code 100 streamline has a greater variety of point configurations, maybe?
 But if you decide to use flexi track, and maximise points radii, then you’ll need to replan the layout, as all Peco streamline (codes 100 & 75) points are larger radii than Peco/Hornby set track, Also, track centres will be 50mm with flexi track points versus 67mm with set track. Thus flexi track has the potential to significantly alter the appearance.

Some stock of an older variety may not like code 75, which again may affect your choices. 

Thanks ITG

I'm quite familiar with using Hornby track as I've used it in my previous 2 layouts. So use to what each piece  of track can do. With the peco streamline it would be a whole new experience.  

48 minutes ago, TonyMay said:

 

Given how short the fiddle-yard needs to be here (not very), having the tracks turn round a 90-degree corner is not needed.  Putting the fiddle yard where it turns the corner is seems more logical to me.

hi Tony

You've just made me re-check the length of the fiddle yard and I'm 300mm short in my baseboard length on scarm, in what I was planning so I have a bit more room to play with now.  

So i have extended the tracks going into the fiddle yard, but should get at least 2 locos on each siding within the fiddle yard.

Now comes the what track to use question. The layout plan is in Hornby and I presume peco 100 should virtually be the same setup, its whether I go with peco 75 streamline or not.  

The black line is the back scene and was thinking of putting a motorway or main road going over either 2 or 3 bridges. 

19 hours ago, Jeff Smith said:

This is a great improvement, still parallel to the baseboard edge though but I am into esthetics....

 

If ever you wanted to run loco hauled passenger services you will need a loco escape loop, it least on one platform face, preferably the one on the depot side by extending the loop already on the main line.

Probably only be 1 or 2 coach dmu's I'll be running to the station.  It just going to be a small branch station 

Bit of rethink

Pushed the station to the front with a single track loop going to the fiddle yard on the small baseboard. Than created a 2nd entrance and exit along the track as well also with a resting area, so a engine can leave the TMD whilst another one comes in.  

The first entrance and exit is now separate and has its own part of the fiddle yard. 

I've made the wash plants and fuel depot both incoming and outcoming, but also a loco can come in for refuel and than out after a wash. 

it may look over done, but i sort of like the way it is at the moment, could have some more tweaking and improvements though.

the track is set track at the moment but i'll try and plan it with streamline track and see how it looks. 

let me have a re think and ill come back with some updated plan, probably be in set track first just to get the concept up, than maybe re do the layout plan in streamline 

4 hours ago, Zomboid said:

I think talk of baseboard sections and track layouts is a bit premature.

 

What do you enjoy about model railways? What era are we talking? What are your essential requirements?

 

At the moment it looks a bit like you've defined a space, filled it with track and called it a loco facility, which is unlikely to result in an enjoyable layout.

Enjoyment is mostly derived from the actual building the layout than running it, but i do like running the trains also, era wise its modern sort of from early 2000's to now. 

Ive already done a small 8by 4 ft roundy roundy and sold that, than moved up to a 12ft by 7ft double track roundy, and have now sold that.

So probably looking for something a bit different and always liked the TMD layout, so thought to have a go at modelling that. 

Do you have any tmd layout plans that i could use and take ideas from that.  Or a list of what should be included in a TMD layout. 

Thanks 

2 hours ago, DavidCBroad said:

I would go with 4 boards each 4ft X 4ft.  With minor tweaks the scenic poinwork would fit the centre 4X4 and the hidden pointwork the end 4 X 4s.

The concept is good in my opinion.  Its the one my never t be completed loft layout was based around  A small station with a large MPD,  Quite common, in big cities just along the line from major stationsi.  Light engines go on and off shed (backwards) to pick up trains from the H/S. then come back past forwards at speed with their trains.   Couple of short platforms R/H lower instead of the loops for local passenger to call at.. Mine had return loops but basically  that's why it didn't work.   If the imagined main station is one end and the Carirage sidigs the other then Piots and tank engines can shuttle the stock one way and train engines bring it back.  Loads of scope for locos and operating, loco coal arriving.  Masses of operating scope.

Get your basebard materials from skips, or my favourte scrapped panel Vans. 1970s interior doors have nice 2X2" or better timbers 6ft long and are often available free and don't warp like the DiY store force dried variety. Reuse, recycle, save the planet etc.  

Hi David

The length of the layout is 12ft long and 3ft wide, with a 4ft by 2ft section used as the fiddle yard.  So will have 2x 6ft by 3 ft boards and 1x 4ft by 2ft.

I've tweaked the station now, so its more of a small terminus station, to hold 2 x 2 coach DMU's

Ive put more sidings within the fiddle yard also 

11 hours ago, Jeff Smith said:

The station loop is too short and the release road too long, it only needs to be just over the length of the longest loco.  Also the fiddle yard track feeding the station is too short.  If you put the station at the back and lengthen the fiddle yard track feeding it you can have a longer train.  A sector plate fiddle yard saves a lot of space.

Hi Jeff

the thinking is if i wanted to run two locos connected together as 1 than the length of the track would need to be around 2ft or more so that is why it is long after the station 

13 hours ago, Jeff Smith said:

Here's another idea.  An L shaped layout with a fiddle yard in the short side of the L and a corner board that is reversible so that the yard can go either in front or behind the scenic side for home or exhibition use.  Will need a walkabout controller for operating from both front and back.

thanks for the idea Jeff, with your idea in mind came up with this idea

Green line is the back board (should also go along the back behind the station also)

Black is the road with bridges across the railway. 

Just struggling to organize the fiddle yard into a better way (any suggestions would be helpful)

Also would the red line bring anything to the layout or would it be a little too much.  its just a loop round in front of a road embankment than turning into a tunnel going than through to the fiddle yard. 

2 hours ago, Harlequin said:

Hi Burtos,

 

If the layout is unlikely to move very often and you've got room to walk around it, why don't you create a more traditional setup with the layout around the outside of the space and a hole in the middle, the "operating well", from where you operate it?

There are good reasons why this design is preferred when you can do it:

• The trains are all around you.
• You don't have to move so far to reach everywhere.
• The fiddle yard can be open on one side.
• There's more length for the track and the curves can be larger radius.
• Etc., etc...

You wouldn't then have to worry about joining boards together in a tessellation - they just join end to end.

 

Then you could think about using Streamline parts instead of Settrack to improve the appearance of the track work (and fit more storage loops in the fiddle yard).

 

BTW: Why are you still talking about using N gauge parts when you are designing a OO gauge layout? It's very confusing! For example in OO gauge (4mm scale) your "station" loops are little more than a foot long.

Hi harlequin

Concerning the operating well design or as I call it the donut layout. That is the shape of my previous layout which I recently sold that was 12ft long and nearly 7ft wide. With a double track double loop over 2 levels. so now looking to do something different.  

In that I used radius 2 and 3 curves which gave me enough space from one end to the other to create a long terminus 4 platform setup down one side.

That was 2 x 6ft by 2ft baseboards down each side than 2 smaller gap fills to complete the circuit 

Thanks for all your inputs

I think going forward the exhibitions side of it may not come to fruition, so the model will probably for at least first few years be in the garage. 

On 12/04/2021 at 14:29, Michael Hodgson said:

Sorry if this comes across as negative, but at least you're at the right stage if changes are to be made.

All three versions show a break between boards down the middle.  They also show pointwork across that board joint.  Never a good idea!

I appreciate the cost issue but penny-pinching on the timber needed isn't worth it - decide what;s most suited to your intended use, and build accordingly.

 

I would also question whether you can really fit that layout onto the board in OO at all, though it might fit in N or 009 - you seem to have put a double track 90 degree turn onto a board 1' wide.  So what's your minimum radius?  

 

As Zomboid says, the main reason for a lot of board joints is ease of transport - are you planning to take it to shows, and if so build what best suits your vehicle.    

 

If is is going to be for exhibitions I would consider making the TMD one/two boards and the outer circle as a completely separate structure, those baseboards perhaps not going to shows.  With maybe a separate fiddle yard baseboard that only gets used at shows?

 

If it is going to stay in the middle of your garage, one option I would consider is to suspend the whole lot from pulleys so I could hoist it out of the way and thus still be able to use the space for the car, or as a workshop etc.

 

If it is a "fixed" layout that you envisage staying in the garage but perhaps going to another garage when you move house, I would go for the 2 6' x 4' boards.

The first layout drawing is in N gauge using the peco 100 settrack. the track for the curves are ST-15 for the inner curve and ST-17 for the outer, i could go ST-17 (inner) and ST-19 (outer) for the curves. if it works and fits better. 

Garage is mainly used for the model as the car will fit inside but be hard job opening the doors to get out (good old modern builds). 

For the layout design i could maybe create a less complicated TMD layout, could have 2 separate tmd areas with 1 line each  coming in from the main line and an joining track from each area within. 

Station wise i did mock up something on the first picture (bottom right of layout).

Thanks all for your advice, i have now attached the OO Gauge layout plan (still in progress) as the previous one was my initial idea but in N gauge.

As you can see, i still have the backboard (in blue) about 1ft from top edge of board. left side is an embarkment with a motorway going over and disappearing into a tunnel.

The hatched blue is the area I'm thinking for controller, switch board, all raised to allow the trains to run underneath. 

Reduced the fiddle yard from 8 to 5 lines which still fit within the size. 

If the points are over the board joins than it will need some tweaking.  

I wouldn't be visiting many shows at the start just a local one, so would probably just use a transit van anyway, as my car is a Citroen DS3 so not the best for transporting layouts. 

I am nudging towards the 6x3 and 6x1 option in baseboards. 

Hi All

Looking to build a TMD in OO Gauge within a size 12ft by 4ft, there will be a double rack oval running the outside of the layouts concerning the sizes of the baseboards, on the attachment the thick blue line is the back scene board that separates the TMD from the fiddle yard behind. 

options considered

( red hashed line)   

2x  6ft by 4ft boards 

(Blue Hashed Line)

2x 1ft by 6ft

2x 3ft by 6ft

(Green Hashed Line)

4x 6ft by 2ft

As ill be working in the garage which can fit the layout and I'm able to walk around it once up. but thinking logically if i bought the Blue hash option i could build the front section up and than attach the 1ft section on after to lay the fiddle yard or vise versor. 

It would give me more room than to work on each section. 

Only issue is the cost as the less boards used the cheaper it is. 

Just seeing if anyone had any ideas on which is the best way to do this. (Also thinking of maybe once done taking it to exhibitions if deemed good enough once done. 

P.S.  Don't worry about the actual layout of the track it is about 80% done but not completely from what i want. 

Ill try and add a more up to date track layout.