7mm Trethevy, NCR, SR 1930's.

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
I have done another plan, as per suggestions from Chris. I am going to have another go but this does nothing for me. Comments welcome as I need to know what others feel about this one, I know its probably more prototypical when looking at NCR stations.

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Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Worth trying, I think it flows better but at the end of the day you have to be happy with the layout. If the previous version floats your boat go for it old fruit.
 

Stubby47

Western Thunderer
Comparing the two plans, side by side, it's obvious that the 2nd plan will need much more use of the sector plate to achieve any shunting.

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For this reason, I'd stick with the first earlier version, I also think the single slip is more interesting than two points.
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Confused of Brazil, bashes head against wall.
My trouble I can see both sides and the second plan is growing on me. Time to go back to Templot and see if any improvements can be made to them.
 

Paul Cambridge

Western Thunderer
For my tuppeneth worth, I prefer the one on the right. However, it’s got a passing resemblance to Lyme Regis, which is probably not what you are after.

Edit: Or even Hayling Island which is well off the map! I think it proves it’s close to prototype.
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
I've been looking at layout 2 and have moved the bottom siding (gasworks) towards the end a little, and changed the angle a little to match in better with the others. I've also, made the bay (goods shed) into a 3 way and added a short siding for the cattle dock. Will post plan once I can get it to put the three way on it.
I will have a look at the first plan again later. Although I have changed the crossings to 1 in 8 which seems to have eased some of the tight spots. Quite how I don't know unless I was more careful.
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Yes the extra length would be nice the extra 5 or so feet make it easier as you loose the tighter curves. It is a nice design. See they put in extra storage too.

I had though about the station at front. But it leads to two minor problems .the platform in way of uncoupling the coaches, and a reach to where most uncoupling will be done.

As for couplings I've not seen anything I like in the way of automatic apart from AJs. Not sure if they would work in 7mm. So at the moment I am sticking with three link.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
It's your extra storage that put me in mind of Hursley. The layout wasn't quite how I remembered it though.

Couplings is definitely an issue and 3-links are out of the question for me to use on Pencarrow.
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Dave, just goes to show that no idea is actually new. More open feel of this 4mm would of been nice, an extra metre would of done it.

I was originally going for bit of quay side for the coaling. But less than a metre I felt looked a bit short, even for fishing boats.

It was a metre extra you wanted last time!
 

Dog Star

Western Thunderer
As for couplings I've not seen anything I like in the way of automatic apart from AJs. Not sure if they would work in 7mm.
Sure do.

Bob Alderman fitted AJs to his BR Stock for Albion Quarry and to the Col. Stephens stock for St. Martins Wharf. Peter and I have helped operate those layouts at shows over the last ten years or so.
 

AJC

Western Thunderer
Sure do.

Bob Alderman fitted AJs to his BR Stock for Albion Quarry and to the Col. Stephens stock for St. Martins Wharf. Peter and I have helped operate those layouts at shows over the last ten years or so.

Yeovil MRJ's 'Gasworks' would have used them for a decade or more before Bob's own layouts came on stream - though Bob was experimenting with an etched version, the Yeovil Coupling, in the late '70s in 4mm (these didn't work all that well because of the softness of the brass used). Gordon Gravett used them on Ditchling Green and on his subsequent projects, too.

My observation (as a 4mm modeller and adherent of the three-link who has operated these layouts too) is that there are issues with alignment and tolerances. These are mostly a consequence of the amount of slop inherent in the wheel/rail interface in 7mm finescale. I suspect that the 31.5mm option would help, as might ScaleSeven, but eliminating as much sideplay as possible in rolling stock would certainly make a difference.

Adam
 
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Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Yes couplings are a problem. I do not have a problem with the hand of God. But I do with unsightly couplings. Hence my use of AJs in 4mm.

I would like an automatic one. But the choice is limited. So at the moment it is 3 link with possible experiments with AJs. Shame i got rid of my jig.
 

simond

Western Thunderer
My pal, John, has much of his 7mm FS stock fitted with 3-links and AJs. They are unobtrusive, and they do work, most of the time, but to be fair, they probably need a great deal more TLC than they get on a garden layout, and they have an unerring ability once in a blue moon to harpoon a 3-link and then you’re right up the famous creek, with nothing even vaguely resembling a paddle.

I think it could be done, and it would certainly look good, but it would have to be a small-ish layout with limited stock, and determined maintenance, and, as Adam has said, 31.5 gauge will help. But then again, so would 12’ ruling radius...

Best
Simon
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Adam and Dog Star. That's good to know. I will be using 31.5mm gauge, and I try to eliminate any side play that is not needed. I dislike locos and stock hunting as it travels down the rails.

My concern with AJs was whether they were up to heavy ABS etc cast stock.
 
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AJC

Western Thunderer
Adam and Dog Star. That's good to know. I will be using 31.5mm gauge, and I try to eliminate any side play that is not needed. I dislike locos and stock hunting as it travels down the rails.

My concern with AJs was whether they were up to heavy ABS etc cast stock.

Well if they work on an ABS Warflat in 7mm (they do), I really shouldn't worry!

Adam
 

Peter Cross

Western Thunderer
Stu the idea with the hidden sidings is to put trains in there at the end of play, so the sector plate can be removed. So there would be no need to couple or uncouple. Well that's the idea will have to see later.
 

simond

Western Thunderer
Peter,

This raises a question in my mind.

You have a station with a run round so you can simulate trains arriving, shunting and leaving in prototypical formations, but then, somehow you need to reverse this in your fiddle yard, so that operation can continue with trains arriving, loco first.

Will you do this by having several trains “in the magazine”, running them in, shunt & out, and back to their siding, and when you have used all the trains, then have a “non prototypical session” where you shuffle everything back to a starting position, or have you a cunning plan?

I ask because it seems that you have the potential for 3, maybe 4 rakes - will this be enough for a satisfying operating session?

Best
Simon
 
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