Kenton

priority of traffic - just that parcels would need a run round, and branch passenger would be a DMU of some sort - not needing a run-round. If the branch had been operated by DMUs (or I suppose a push-pull set) only for a while by the time the station was minimised, would a run-round still be provided?

I guess it would come down to timing.

If the branch platform and the "parcels" were there in steam then the crossover would most likely be the other was - despite the "parcels" being unfavoured - as this would be just short closed vans rather than "parcels" stock and would probably be shunted into the track.

Later - or even as a late track re-alignment - the reverse may apply as you say DMU branch use would not require the run round but parcels would.

Then there is a third option with no cross-over ... parcels arrive at station platform and the leading loco released by a station pilot / local shunter and the parcels backed into the parcels bay.

As always it is your layout and your requirements should take priority.

Someone at the Manchester club bought an outside framed loco without rods off them as his first kit on the weekend (comes with a BullAnt for drive). He's making a nice job of it so far although the buffer beam laminations look interesting.

 

There were a few butt joints in his kit where I would expect folds or tab and slot (things fitting to the footplate for example) but it did have some nice photos in his instructions.

I may have been at the table when he first asked about it. I felt like discouraging him by giving him a warning when he said it was his first kit. As much as I love these kits from Judith Edge - I maintain they are not for the beginner and your teeth should be cut on a more typical construction - preferably a cheap wagon you can afford to experiment on and ultimately bin or glory.

Nearly all - all that I have done - come with the same design principles: loads of overlays - (there are as many as 5 for one part in this kit); not a slot or tab insight (very few folded lips and nearly all butt soldered joins); invariably some bendy bits that get you in contortions and possibly the biggest problem tend to remain very flexible and remain so until almost the build is complete. On the positive side they do tend to go together from the etch without a degree in metalwork.

Give some careful thought to the arrangement of the lower run-round. Which traffic would prototypicaly have priority, passenger or parcels. If the upper platform is passenger then I think you will find the run-round would face the other way - thereby providing loco release without having to back up coaches into the station throat.

I would also expect a short siding off the end of the parcels to allow for the opposite as any parcels stock would now potentially be backed into the passenger platform throat.

I am not very convinced by the two additional short sidings. I think one would be better - what purpose do they have for existing?