Greg Moore

8 minutes ago, Flying Pig said:

 

Right click an unconnected piece of flexitrack and select "curve flex" from the popup menu.  Enter angle (in degrees, maximum 90) and radius.  The result is a pure arc, like a piece of setrack.

 

I think you could increase the radius of your main line to 15" or 16" which might be enough to reduce the track spacing and use streamline points.  

Ah thanks. What track spacing would be correct for n gauge?

43 minutes ago, CameronL said:

Hi Greg

 

 First impression - operationally a lot of fun, but I would consider rotating the layout through ninety degrees, so the fiddle yard is along the top and has more room for longer trains and the station is along the other long side. This would also allow more freight handling without the "long spotting roads" (to quote C J Freezer). You might also then be able to reverse the crossover currently at the top of the plan and put a loop around the outside platform to allow goods trains from the anticlockwise line to clear the mainline and shunt. I love designing so having poked the bear if you like I'll have a go at that plan.

 

Also, how long are your trains going to be?

I get what you mean, often the fiddle yard is done this way. I was hoping to maximise the amount of scenery and buildings on display, even if this means reducing the length of trains. I intend not to run too much stock, mostly praries and collett goods like things carrying milk, coal minor passenger services and maybe some wartime traffic to add interest. I quite like the "Dartmoor scene" like thing of having two opposing bridges and the curved platforms. The loop around the top was another idea I was considering after seeing Foss Cross 

But I was wondering about where to position the protruding sidings coming of the top loop.

1 hour ago, LDM34046 said:

Looks like the layout has some great potential for scenery and operation. Track plan looks simple enough to wire should you require any help.

 

The Cotswolds is one of my favourite places to visit so I look forward to seeing it develop. I’ve got some great photos of the area and buildings should need any inspiration!

I went a while ago and was struck how lovely it was and thought it would be good to model. Thanks for the offer of photos, currently Im looking for places on google earth, finding prototype buildings in Bourton-on-the water, Northleach and the surrounding areas. Im trying to scratchbuild  these buildings, heres one Ive done 

I've also found some interesting prototype bridges to model, those being South Cerney (above) and Chedworth (Below).

Thanks for everyones comments, I might be easier to put something here than to respond to everyone.

So the layout will go under my bed for ease of storage. This is useful but naturally gives a height limit of 6''. Regarding having something at the centre, while 38'' is long with the layout not being against the wall means I can access all sides. But more importantly for me the construction of the scenery and model buildings is just as, if not more, important than running locos so I would like the keep that. 

In terms of prototypical modelling I intend to scratchbuild bridges based on the one at South Cerney and and the, now demolished, one at Chedworth using brick sheets. 

As for trackplans I initially fancied basing the layout on the M&SWJR section between Cirencester and Andoversford so making it double tracked and looking at Foss Cross and Withington as inspiration. I tried using any rail 6 to make a diagram but ran into issues making curves using flexitrack. Using settrack curves at third and fourth radius I got

This design leaves half a foot at the sides from using set track, but more importantly only leaves a foot between the end of the track and tunnel mouth, hardly enough for  a long bridge and embankment leasing up to the tunnel mouth. 

Hello all, 

I have never properly constructed a model railway before and so would like to turn to you all for advice. I have a space of 38 in x 70 in (approx 3.2 ft x 5.8ft) and would like to model the cotswolds in n gauge, for this I have looked towards the Midland & South Western Junction Railway (M&SWJR) as a source of inspiration. Particularly the termini at Foss Cross, Withington and Chiseldon. I am particularly interested in constructing the scenery and buildings and have an idea as to what the layout would hopefully look like

With the "ideal" trackplan being

I have little understanding of actual railway operations, so if anyone more knowledgeable has any ideas then that'd be great. Also what would such a design be like from a track laying and wiring viewpoint.