Planning a small "yard"

[trammayo]

Having repaired my old RI points for access to the "yard", I set about the physical aspects of setting track down in a small place. Having something in your head is one thing, but nothing beats the practical trials.

My first attempt. I want to build a small two-road shed (stabling and maintenance) .....

Checking clearances.....

Second variation .....

Third .....

Fourth .......

This gives a third road which might service a coaling tower - the track would be "connected" by dummy pointwork (as I have run out of R/H Ri's). There is enough length and clearance on the shed roads to build to the length of the locos.

And the sliding door will need to slide the other way (it needs a new one anyway) ...

The base board needs widening as the track is perched over the edge at the moment. The two running roads will each be electrically isolated.

Anybody else any thoughts?

 

[jameshilton]

That looks like a good solution - tight on space, but much nicer having the engines parallel.

 

[trammayo]

Yes, you're right James. I had thought of a one road shed and the diverging road as an outside stable or access to a coaling facility. I have now made a start, using scrap wood (and rail). The two 'roads' have had the track connections bonded using stainless steel self-tappers and electrical connections made (again using the self-tappers) on the end of the track.

Similar to this morning's pic but with the width of the base board extended. The 'new' wood was sealed with a generous coat of bitumen, followed by a dash of sand straight on. ...

Electrical connections......

Self-tappers used through the rail web (due to a shortage of 2mm Hex Socket screws - used in repairing the points!). These will be ground off before final installation of the track .....

And, finally, the new section covered over. Not to protect the track I might add but, rather, to protect our young feline from getting tarred and feathered. He treats the line as his Olympic Stadium, swinging from bridges, racing round. SWMBO wouldn't pleased if he came in and spread the tar around

Hopefully tomorrow will be fine also ....

 

[trammayo]

The job's now done (unless I obtain another R/H R1), and the track has been tested. The loco escaped the confines of the layout, doing a nosedive onto the drive - operator error. The new depot will be 2" shorter than a loco and tender to allow for clearances.

All screwed down and levelled (using a mini spirit level) ....

"Disconnected point-work and siding ....

 

[JRinTawa]

I like the abandoned turnout details

 

[ceejaydee]

I like the abandoned turnout details

Me too; something about disused and abandoned tracks that gets you thinking.....

 

[stockers]

Yes, old pointwork looks great doesn't it.

 

[trammayo]

Thanks, all, for your comments (and photo). My next thoughts are about making an abandoned coaling tower or something similar to add to the 'yard' (after I've knocked up the shed).

 

[mike]

the abadoned point rocks

 

[trammayo]

Cheers Mike.

 

[vsmith]

Mick, that abandoned track section would make a terrific place to put a speeder or a handcar and some MOW rail carts.

 

[trammayo]

Hi Vic - yes rour right! I've saved your pic of the hand car to model - sat there, weathered and some junk on it will look just right. At the rate I'm going with the buildings, I won't have a lot of space left. Thanks!

With hindsight, I could have made it into a speeder shed. Trouble is I painted it in bitumen last night. C'est la vie!

 

[Madman]

Mick, that abandoned track section would make a terrific place to put a speeder or a handcar and some MOW rail carts.

Vic, those wheels, on the cart, Look as if they are formed metal. I don't believe I have ever seen such a wheel, if indeed they are.

 

[trammayo]

I've seen that type before - must be stamped out of a white hot blank.

I had a go the cart - I don't know if the one in the photo is standard gauge - but I thought that if I put the deck between the wheels it might be a bit narrow so I opted for it to go above the wheels. Otherwise it embodies most of the characteristics of the one pictured above (I think) ...

 

[tramcar trev]

Those wheels are "pressed" from 1/8" sheet and then the edges of the flanges are "rolled over", then "spin riveted" to the axles. Very common here.....

 

[trammayo]

Didn't realise they were that thin!

 

[minimans]

Hi Vic - yes rour right! I've saved your pic of the hand car to model - sat there, weathered and some junk on it will look just right. At the rate I'm going with the buildings, I won't have a lot of space left. Thanks!

With hindsight, I could have made it into a speeder shed. Trouble is I painted it in bitumen last night. C'est la vie!

Painted it? I think it looks the dog's whatsits as it was!!!

 

[trammayo]

Thanks very much, but I had to paint it Paul - with our weather it might not have lasted the year out!