|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Following the
workbee held
on the 12 March 2004,
I again went with the flow and tried to continue work in the room.
Some of the panels done by Trevor & Mark I removed, painted and put back. I also tidied up the concrete as well as some other mnor clean ups. The framwork for most of the stagin was shortened as it was too wide. This then allowed me to get on with thinking about the staging. On the Friday when the group came over they has made a radius tool (nail in center with a bit of wood drilled) to mark out the widest track at the end. Seeing it was 36 inches (3ft) I decided to expand the track going around that curve. I had prior to the night decided to put in a single track ont he inside so I could run and store one long train - most train will be 10-12ft max. The storage was to cater for a 20ft train. Why not put a few more tracks on the inside ? So I checked and I could get three tracks in before the radius got too tight. Actually the inner track is very borderline, being 29 inch radius. I also were very generous with clearance, two and a half inch between track centers, I had to think of overhand on these curves. So that allows for 3 long trains, 4 normal trains, two stub ended roads, and two railmotor sidings. I think that is enough storage ! It allowed me to plan more of the railway on the boards. Plans, Cad etc are fine untill you work on the actual project. FOr this stage I had photocopies of Peco templates that I could use in real world planning. And this helped designing the end nearest the wall where it was the most complex. when a train leaves the modelled section, it heads directly into a big ladder track. I have to ensure it is built well. To this end most wiring will be above the baseboard. This is because much of the baseboard in the loop end is screwed to the "floor" rather than being a baseboard int he normal sense. I were going to use Peco points I had lying around but are having second thoughts - in terms of electical dead spots for small locos. SO I may have to hand lay the staging points int the area. The end results is the points fall into a easy to lay configuration. Also I had though of using 3 way points to save space, but with the rearrangment I can use simple no 6 points - which is always better. For the staging I can work on the points on a table, then after I finish laying the points, installing the point motors, wiring the motors and teack to a terminal block I can easily fit it to the baseboard proper. I hope this measn I get good trackwork ! One aid I'm think about is www.handlaidtrack.com which have great looking jigs. I have seen the page before, but it wasn't untill I saw one in use over here at a show last weekend that I saw how good it really was. So I'll be getting one or two.....soon. I think that's enough for now ! 
A simple shot showing where the continuous run connection leaves the loop to head to the right of the photo. I have been toying with an idea to put in a wye here, so I can store 4 trains to it's right, and still be able to run trains. |
|
Doing some 1:1 points checking on the subbaseboard to go right in the corner of that raised floor. After the points the track will curve on a 36inch radius. MEanwhile there will be three inner roads parrallel for LONG trains. I have some Peco long points that I may use here, because I have them, wher eI were going to use their medium sized points. |
|
A shot of the corner and the raised floor. You can see the shortened baseboard on the left. |
|
The baseboard ply for the stagin connection to the wall is laid flat on the benchwork. You can see the Peco paper templates liad out for the new arrangment. A nice simple ladder for the most part. The space on the left of the track is for the point motors. |
|
A view of the shortened frame, as result of the working bee suggestions. I cannot wait to store stuff under here when it is all done. Originally this modele would not have any points, in the new arrangment it will. |
|
|
|
|
Page written & maintained by David Head.david@nmit.vic.edu.au