7mm Trethevy, NCR, SR 1930's.

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
The NCR one you made looks the business.
As for the platform masking the goods shed height I'd forgotten about that. Even with station building higher I still think it will give a longer feel to the venue from the bridge.
I now want to sort out the track at the front to place the coaling building for the gas works. This all makes it easier to keep the station end to 900mm. I think I would like to see this on a small reverse headshunt like Bodmin.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Peter, may I make a suggestion (feel free to ignore)?

You've currently got 5 tracks going under the bridge. That's a lot of tracks and a long bridge. The front two tracks are very close to each other - so close to prevent stock to pass? Can I suggest therefore that bring the front track into the second in an on-scene turnout...

This would shorten the bridge deck and get rid of the stock on track blocking the adjacent track issue. Also less need return the fiddle on every move.

I also wonder if it would be possible to put a bigger gap between the rear two tracks? Why...? To put in some steel column supports for the bridge deck so you have a deck crossing 3+1 tracks rather than 4. The columns and bracing would help view block the fiddle.

Excuse my finger painting:
IMG_20180917_220336593.jpg
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
I was going to make the point for the bay under the bridge using the sector plate as the blades. I have it redrawn on templot.
As for the front I need to change it. I would like to keep the signal box where it is but also want the gas works unloading along there too. I do like the idea of moving the entrance to it.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
I mentioned it in passing as I've been trying to think since last night of locations where there were single span bridges crossing 4 or 5 tracks on WofE lines. Not found any yet. Those that look promising are on closer inspection multi-span. Like this one in Plymouth which looked from plans like a single span over 4 tracks but on closer inspection was 3 spans over 1+2+1 tracks.
Screenshot_20180918-165159.png
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Interestingly, the one above was a two track, single arch bridge which the southern replaced with a widened concrete beam type to cross 4 tracks in a 3-span 1+2+1 configuration.

Other promising bridges in the Plymouth area end up being multiple arch bridges, each crossing two tracks. The Girder bridgecat Barnstaple Jct, which I thought from memory crossed 3+ tracks, actually just crosses 2, with the other lines stopping at the bridge abutments. Pah!
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
I was making it as tight as possible under the bridge as if the point work was there or just beyond. So the span was not too long. I like the pillar in the middle.
I need to get back to work on these new ideas.
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Have now replaced the charging socket on laptop I can get onto templot again. Sorry another delay man has come to fix Aircon. Hopefully tonight it won't be like sleeping in a sauna.
I think I have an idea for the front using Chris's idea with the new point. Which will move the signal box inboard a bit and the gasworks coal behind and to one side of it. Will check if it's just pie in the sky or will actually work.
 
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Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
I've had another play with Templot. I have moved the sector plate further along the second wall. using most of the 2.2m available. This has altered the geometry a little. Not sure about it, I like some aspects but I feel it looks to be on tighter curves will print out later and see.

We are now down to 3 tracks where the bridge would be and from the operating position more or less looking at the back of it. Also the point leading to the bottom siding is down to 1340mm (53") radius. Not sure what loco would go around this I tend to build them with little side play.

Also looking at extending past the door and using full length of wall with removable sector plate. If this were to rest on wall mounted bracket door would have to be shut, or on a pair of legs it could be open. Probably better for domestic peace, Don't want to be accused of locking oneself in the room all the time.


midland_central_2018_09_21_0115_51.jpg

Is this progress I'm not sure lets hope so.
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
Also the point leading to the bottom siding is down to 1340mm (53") radius. Not sure what loco would go around this I tend to build them with little side play.

Although it's nice to have all locos reaching all parts of a layout but something like this places a restriction on the loco (as in the prototype) which can add to operational interest. A G6, O2 or Well tank should suffice.
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
The inside curve of the double slip looks quite tight as well. Could you ease the whole layout so the platform headshunt is nearer the corner ?


Stu I understand that but I am try not to cut the station building, which needs about 250mm including canopy. The double slip will be a single, just for the run round. I pressed the wrong button.
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Although it's nice to have all locos reaching all parts of a layout but something like this places a restriction on the loco (as in the prototype) which can add to operational interest. A G6, O2 or Well tank should suffice.

Dave I will have all 3 of those. It will be the gas works siding so will only need to push coal wagons in and out. I was also concerned about it visually.
 

Stubby47

Western Thunderer
Stu I understand that but I am try not to cut the station building, which needs about 250mm including canopy. The double slip will be a single, just for the run round. I pressed the wrong button.

Aha, in which case the curves don't look too bad at all. I also agree with not cutting the buildings - I built Tinner's Forge building as a 3/4 footprint, and it's a nightmare when photographing it from the narrow end.

20180527_153702.jpg
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
I've been playing again. Apart from the bottom "gas works" siding, and the top " goods shed" bay, both of which may need adjusting on site to fit. I have done a full 3.1 x 3m layout there would be 100+mm extra with door closed but I think it's not worth the agro. I could make it an outward opening door, which would mean I'd have to keep it shut when not in there as it would block the bathroom. Not good.
We now only have two tracks under the exit. plus I have put in a few hidden sidings so stock can be driven on there under cover so sector plate can be removed without boxing up stock or having a very crowded layout.

midland_central_2018_09_21_2127_14.png

I really like this one it has the essence of what I'm after and is still quite compact. Although it probably comes a 1/3 of the way across the room from the corner. I can probably get three tracks on the sector plate, which with the hidden will probably be enough.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
That's the best layout yet Peter.

The only observation I have regards the single slip and the two parallel loops. I know that having the single slip connecting into the loco release crossover is a feature you have said you want but the impact of it seems to be very much reduced siding length and a secondary loop that is actually quite short.

I know it's questioning fundamentals but try drawing a more conventional version with just a crossover loco release and two plain (but more useable) sidings in front. I think it will actually give you more operational interest and also give you somewhere to stash all your nice wagons.

The reduced number of tracks at the exit under the bridge looks far more believable for a small terminus.
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Chris
I will look into changing the slip, and see what I think. My thoughts were trying to keep a little Bodmin in it. Where they have number 1 siding next track over from cattle pens. I would have the middle one on mine, to hold the gasworks coal wagons. Four I think. Number 2 siding at Bodmin is one of the run around. On here I was thinking I could use the middle runaround as a siding and for sorting the trains. I may off got things wrong but in reality there was only one long siding at Bodmin. The 2 furthest away from station I think we're originally a head and loco turntable.
I really want to print this out and see how it looks on the ground. Some ideas work on the plan but not full size. I may at moment be too stuck with Bodmin.
 
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