O Scale Sector Plate Idea

[FJ and G]

A neat idea just occurred to me. A “prototypical” sector plate. Has anyone else ever thought of doing this?

I’ll break this down so it’s easier to review:

1.Definitions
2. Problem
3. Solution

1. I’m not sure if I’ve got these right, but here goes:
a. Cassette or transfer table is a long removable section of layout with track.
b. Sector plate or traverser is a long moveable section of layout with track.

Notice that one is removable and the other is moveable.

2. Problem: A section of closet will be used to store trains. However, building a ladder track will (1) eat up a lot of yard track and (2) cost a lot or take more time to put in the turnouts (3) more mechanical/electrical parts that could break.

Problem with sector plates and other items mentioned is that they are not prototypical (except for the locomotive only transfer table); these are model artifices.

3. Solution is the sector plate. Not a cassette or transfer table because (1) too hard to remove it and turn it around (2) O scale trains weigh a lot; fine for HO or N scale.

The idea for making the sector plate seem prototypical would be to:

a. Ballast and scenic the sector plate with the idea to make it appear that the tracks just end abruptly but continue the other way
b. Add some abandoned trackage on the layout side of the sector plate to make it appear that the tracks once continued
c. Camouflage the sector plate crack as best you can
d. Add a mirror all the way in back so it looks like the sector plate tracks extend or continue indefinitely. The sector plate could even be curved so that you cannot see the end of it

The only time that the deception could be detected is during the actual moving of the sector plate; but then it would be very brief.

Dave Vergun