7mm Along the lines of an U.S. O Scale loft layout... (previously 'making U.S. track & switches')

[Dog Star]

Mmmm.... rickety track....

The arrival of the most recent Narrow Gauge and Industrial Review prompted a discussion with Paul (@Locomodels) about how the charm of the models in that issue could persuade modellers of main line railways to stray from the true path and embrace a different way of life. Paul's reply was that neither he nor I had the skill to model the appearance of rickety track - I had to agree... and then thought of WT's own master of the subject.

Jordan, dear sir, please step forward and lead a (master) class on this subject from the front .

 

[Jordan]

A Masterclass..??!! I was under the impression that it was more a lack of skill, & the inability to do things properly and lay neat & tidy track, that naturally leads to rickety track...

 

[Jordan]

Possibly this might be of interest to some... the trackplan for this layout. I only do hand-drawn, although the outside edge of the plan is to scale. The inside edge of the layout is a dotted line to avoid confusion with the actual track lines.


The area I have is only just a bit longer than an 8ft x 4ft board in HO Scale, albeit with a great hole in the middle. This puts things into perspective when it came to trackplanning. Some modellers can throw track down and build a layout in a week - or less!! I am not one of them, & as I said earlier, I thought long and hard about what I want from this layout, and sketched many variations of it before I was completely happy with the plan I have.

The Freight Branch is all laid, right up to the main line connecting switch, as per the photos posted earlier. The Main itself, and the Code 100 siding at the Interchange, have yet to be started, although I have built the curved switch and laid the pcb ties for the other switch on the main.

I haven't included any buildings on the plan. At the Interchange there will be an old Depot (Station) in use as a Yard Office, the HO Elevator in the background, and not much else. On the Freight Branch, various low-relief Industries, and the Team track inset in the road surface top left-hand corner.

There is no hidden staging (Fiddleyard). When working the Freight Branch, one is mostly facing the one side of the layout, and when exchanging trains at the Interchange, one is facing the other way - so why bother hiding trains on the opposite side??!! True, trains on the Main have nowhere to go in the strictest sense, but if you are only looking at the Interchange, where they have come from (i.e. just the other side of the room) as they enter the yard is really irrelevant - if you use your imagination!! Which, like it or not, is exactly what we are doing anyway, when we actually get chance to play trains!!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

so why bother hiding trains on the opposite side??!!

I agree . Exhibition visitors are always peering into the hidden staging yards to see what's there rather than look at the scenic section. Perhaps we should set up exhibition layouts the 'wrong way round' .

I also look forward to seeing your trackage develop. I've yet to lay a section of P48 track and as I'm still deciding on a track plan as I want to get this right before starting.

 

[Jordan]

Slow, slow progress on my US loft Layout.

The basics of my tracklaying underway;

At this point I've been spiking only every 5th tie, to make progress! Later I'll go back and add tie plates and spikes to the rest.

The Alco RS3 pulls a train through the scenic (eventually!! ) Green Ridge area of the layout


Before Green Ridge, trains have to negotiate North Bend. This is the sharpest curve on the layout; a flange-squeeling 26inch radius at it's tightest.

One thing I like about this photo is that it shows how the reflective hi-viz warning stripes on the boxcars really are reflective hi-viz warning stripes

From a low angle things don't look too bad though despite the sharp radius.


Close up view of the displacement between loco and cars is a bit frightening, though!!


One day, trains will be able to circle the whole layout... one day!!!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

I like it .

In the first photo I make out the track gauge but what's the other etched plate with t'oles and slots for?

Or is it a guessing game?

 

[Jordan]

It's Peco rail joiners as they come!! The Code 143 ones also fit this Code 125 rail. (I've not found any joiners specifically for Code 125).

 

[Jordan]

Following a request today at Stafford Show from He Who Wears Red Hat, for more "Comedy Track Laying" photos... well it's all gone a bit serious, these days!!

Closest to 'comedy' at the moment is where the line, after passing through Green Ridge, curves round past the start of the Industrial Park. Doesn't a 36" radius curve look gentle after that flange-squealer at North Bend??!!


After that we're on the long straight main line past the freight branch spurs. Keen eyed viewers will note the rail (singular) coming from the opposite end, and the short gap to be filled in between. these rails aren't spiked yet.


The rail is kept aligned by a FastTracks template, and the use of a cotton thread 'string line' to line up the rail from both ends, & the tie-plates; the cotton is the black line in this shot.


Meanwhile at the opposite end, the curved turnout is fixed in place. Both the freight branch and the main cross Telegraph Road (inspired by/named after the Dire Straits song) here at grade.


and finally, one of my 'perspective modelling' attempts from a new angle; an old abandoned Prairie Skyscraper is out in the distance; an HO building only a few inches from the tracks! A bit of proper scenery will help disguise the gap further, hopefully!!


Perhaps there is some comedy value in the glimpses of the remains of HO trackbed in places along the layout. Any future Archeologists digging around these parts are going to get quite confused!!!

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

Looking good Jordan . I like the idea of the 'horizontal' plumb line.

Whose tie plates are you using in the third photo?

 

[Jordan]

The tie plates are from Right O Way. Not only has the business been taken over since the death of Lou Cross the original owner, it is now on line and takes Paypal. Makes things so much easier from this side of The Pond!!

Right-O-Way O Scale Parts and Machining

 

[Jordan]

Recently I completed laying the track on my loft layout, the final stretch was the siding (passing loop) at the Interchange.

I may have got a bit carried away...







But it does work:-

 

[Jordan]

Of course, now "all" I have to do is go back & fill in all the other tie plates & spikes.

 

[JimG]

Recently I completed laying the track on my loft layout, the final stretch was the siding (passing loop) at the Interchange.

I may have got a bit carried away...

I bet it took longer than if you had laid it straight and level.

Jim.

 

[Jordan]

I bet it took longer than if you had laid it straight and level.

Jim.

I dunno ... even when I tried 'straight 'n' level, it didn't quite work out...

 

[Dog Star]

... even when I tried 'straight 'n' level, it didn't quite work out...

Looks pretty good to me, particularly as you used that spirit level made from a bit of B&Q best reject PAR .

 

[Yorkshire Dave]

But it does work:-

Excellent effect - it should be left like it .

 

[Steph Dale]

Jordan,

That is utterly superb, the first time I think I've seen that typical boxcar rolling motion captured in model form. I like it very much indeed.

Steph

 

[john lewsey]

Hi Jordan have you been watching Rocky Mountain railroad on Quest

 

[Jordan]

Thanks Steph & Dave - praise indeed!!

Hi Jordan have you been watching Rocky Mountain railroad on Quest

Oh, yes..!!

 

[AJC]

Jordan, this is just brilliant! I've been watching this with a great big grin; a proper recreation of the real thing which uses the physical advantages of O and all bogie stock superbly.

Adam