Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
Great start. All the new layouts started makes me want to get on.
7mm Pencarrow - Cornish BR(S)
- Thread starter Pencarrow
- Start date
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Mine's not actually that new Peter. The three boards have been kicking around for well over 2 years whilst I took a while deciding what I wanted to build and instead built some stock and started a few buildings.
I realised I was avoiding getting started on a plan for fear of committing to the wrong theme or idea. Building a layout solo is a big commitment of time and cash and I wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting either.
Anyway, cracking on now and I just need to stop listening to my doubts which keep whispering that perhaps there's a better theme or idea...
Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
I know you have been toying with it for ages. I always have doubts too. Mostly with my own abilities.
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Every new bit I come to Peter I have fears that this is where I'll hit the brick wall or screw it up. Part of the reason for doing Pencarrow solo (apart from having no friends) is that I wanted a challenge and to do stuff that I'd been leaving to others in previous projects. It is quite scary though and would be very difficult without the support of folk on here and rmweb.
Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
I think it's nice to have a project where people help each other (as long as they do it my way). Not that I have much choice here, but it would be nice to have a little pressure. I seem to do my best work then.
Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
What angle are the points you are using.
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Peter Cross
Western Thunderer
Same as me then. With a couple of A5s in the yard for space. Some said to use B8s but they were just too long.
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Yes, I'm sacrificing point length for overall balance. To be honest the B6s look fine in the overall context of the layout length.
I did draw up B8 and C10 versions but they looked silly and affected loop and siding lengths.
Board joints brass pins
Dog Star
Western Thunderer
If you put a piece of packing between the board ends before soldering the rail into place... then cut the rail... the gap between the rails after removing the packing is pretty small. For example, if you use an Xacto saw blade then most of those blades are circa 12 thou thick and hence using 10th plastic sheet for the packing gives you a 2 thou gap after the job is done.
Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
....... and for the PC in the interest of balance 
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Mr Grumpy
Western Thunderer
Hi Chris,
Track building and Templot are a tad beyond me at present! I have built all
My Tetbury branch buildings, including the huge goods shed, and have started to figure out the best compromise, without changing the actual layout of the point work. The Peco points I will probably end up using take up 830mm in terms of a crossover. If necessary, I'm happy to give hand built pointwork a go.....
Peter says he is using A5s in the yard to save space, please could you tell me the length and radius of these different type of points?
Thanks, Richard.
Track building and Templot are a tad beyond me at present! I have built all
My Tetbury branch buildings, including the huge goods shed, and have started to figure out the best compromise, without changing the actual layout of the point work. The Peco points I will probably end up using take up 830mm in terms of a crossover. If necessary, I'm happy to give hand built pointwork a go.....
Peter says he is using A5s in the yard to save space, please could you tell me the length and radius of these different type of points?
Thanks, Richard.
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Richard, unlike Peco and Hornby etc which are designed to be fitted in curves, the points in the real world aren't described by their 'radius'. Their geometry is summarised by a letter-number reference.
The first letter (A,B,C) describes the length of the point blade. The number (5, 6 7, 8 etc) is the angle of the V. So an A5 is a short turnout with a 1in5 exit, whereas a C10 is a long turnout with a 1in10 exit.
With Peco etc points the different size points can be placed in a crossover and the two main through roads remain parallel. Putting an A5 with a C10 on the other hand won't result in a parallel crossover as the exit angle of the A5 is half that of the C10.
I'll load some pictures for you to explain better.
The first letter (A,B,C) describes the length of the point blade. The number (5, 6 7, 8 etc) is the angle of the V. So an A5 is a short turnout with a 1in5 exit, whereas a C10 is a long turnout with a 1in10 exit.
With Peco etc points the different size points can be placed in a crossover and the two main through roads remain parallel. Putting an A5 with a C10 on the other hand won't result in a parallel crossover as the exit angle of the A5 is half that of the C10.
I'll load some pictures for you to explain better.
Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Top is Peco which are 417.5mm long each.
Then C&L:
A5 - 440mm
B6 - 497.5mm
B7 - 531mm
B8 - 577.5mm
B9 - 582mm
And showing what I mean by mixing different crossing angles not resulting in parallel through lines:
(All 7mm, templates taken from AnyRail - Templot gives slightly different lengths)
Then C&L:
A5 - 440mm
B6 - 497.5mm
B7 - 531mm
B8 - 577.5mm
B9 - 582mm
And showing what I mean by mixing different crossing angles not resulting in parallel through lines:
(All 7mm, templates taken from AnyRail - Templot gives slightly different lengths)
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Pencarrow
Western Thunderer
Now you've said that I recall it was something I intended doing - doh!
3 LINK
Western Thunderer
Thanks Chris,
From the length given for the C&L points, I won't gain any saving in space by using those.
I'm wondering if it may be worth taking a look at Marcway points, and adding cosmetic chairs.
You will not be able to add cosmetic chairs to the Marcway turnouts because the rail is soldered directly to the sleepers, whereas the cosmetic chairs lift the rail above the sleepers as in real life.
Martyn.