Here's my attempt at an idea for staging with sector plate on my layout. I got the idea when reading back in Dec. '08 issue, p. 60. Except mine would pivot in the middle. Being able to have an engine escape track at the top. I would have to leave one of the outside tracks open as my engine track so I would need 1 more tracks than required for my staging. The inside loop is for continuos running. Nothing's built.. Ha Ha.. But I think I'd like to see what you all think about it, because I'd like to use the sector plate to save on space from yard ladder.. HO scale 12" grid Mostly 20" min Rad. But a few 18" spots in there.
That will work, as drawn. Another 'pure sector plate' approach would have the plate pivoted at the center of your engine escape track, which would become a turntable - very useful if you run steam or single diesel units.
As drawn, you have a classic John Armstrong 'reverted loop,' which would allow you to back trains into staging markers first. You could eliminate the engine escape track, move the pivot almost to the wall and have much longer staging tracks, with no need to turn the locomotive or move a caboose (or working FRED) to the proper end of the train. Best of all - no need to uncouple on hidden track, and no need to keep an escape track clear.
The only 'opportunity' I can see is the need to line the rail ends up perfectly every time. Not impossible (or sector plates would never be used) but some kind of positive indexing device would be a definite plus.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with LOTS of staging)
Looks fine but you might actually not be taking advantage of all the features of a sector plate. It seems to me that one of the nice features of a sector plate is the ability to send cars or locomotives down various yard tracks, instead of just one, without having turnouts, fouling points, etc., or to have the sector plate be fed by various holding tracks that are not otherwise connected to the layout except by way of the sector plate.
Dave Nelson
MPRRHere's my attempt at an idea for staging with sector plate on my layout. I got the idea when reading back in Dec. '08 issue, p. 60. Except mine would pivot in the middle. Being able to have an engine escape track at the top. I would have to leave one of the outside tracks open as my engine track so I would need 1 more tracks than required for my staging.
Here's my attempt at an idea for staging with sector plate on my layout. I got the idea when reading back in Dec. '08 issue, p. 60. Except mine would pivot in the middle. Being able to have an engine escape track at the top. I would have to leave one of the outside tracks open as my engine track so I would need 1 more tracks than required for my staging.
Perhaps easier to build and index for your situation would be a traverser - essentially a long transfer table with closely spaced tracks. Mount on smooth drawer slide hardware. And the ends would not have to be curved to match up as with the sector plate. See Carl Arendt's site for lots more information on sector plates and traversers (http://www.carendt.com/).
Fred W
That is a neat site.. Thanks for you input guys. I like the idea of a traverser better. Mainly because lining up the tracks would be easier. But how do I build the thing to be only 1/2" think under roadbed and track? Any ideas?
First disclaimer - I've not built one myself. This is from general experience with wood furniture and model railroading.
Perhaps the easiest way to think of the traverser is as a sliding tray in a rectangular opening. Your particular tray is fairly wide, but not very deep (3 tracks wide or 8" in HO as shown on your plan). It needs to move 2" towards or away from you in the aisle to align with the other tracks. This gives a total of 4" movement, so the opening is 12" deep.
There are two easy methods to make this work - just a tray sliding on a smooth surface, or using drawer hardware.
A 1/4" piece of quality pywood (perhaps finshed panel side down?) sliding on a waxed wood surface - or Formica or similar would be even better - will work well if there are some sort of guides to keep it aligned, and prevent any rotation as it moves. Guides could be as simple as a single centered 1/8" x 1/4" hardwood strip with a cutout in the tray to straddle the strip (similar to what is found for dresser drawers). I would stiffen the 1/4" plywood tray with vertical strips of 1x1 or 1x2 (depends on length) - these can rise above the traverser and form a "trough" for the track and trains. 1/2" plywood would not need stiffening unless it was over 24" long, since it's supported by the surface it slides on. But I'm not sure whether your 1/2" allowable depth was just for the "drawer" itself or included its supports.
The other alternative for smoother operation would be roller-based drawer slide hardware. This is very likely overkill for your situation, but could be very nice. Depth for the hardware could be a problem.
my thoughts, your choices
The traverser will be on top of a plywood base..(my benchwork tabletop) The approach track roadbed leading to traverser will be 1/2" above plywood base. Basically cork roadbed on top of 1/2" foam on top of plywood tabletop. Near where the approach track meets with traverser I pulled up all the styrofoam down to the plywood base. So now I'm left with the 1/2" space to build the traverser up to the height of approach track.
Lastnight I was brainstorming hard on how to build this thing. I kept getting hung up on a couple of the details. First was the siding action and keeping it all straight as mentioned above. I did think of some kind guide rail system. Basicalli what Fred said. Traverser will be 1/4" thick and have 1/4" guide rails underneath. Then I'll build up 1/4" under traverser for support and slot out where the guide rails. Any thoughts?? Would masonite be a good material to use??