Problem 1
I recently put together some Blueprint Heavyweight passenger cars to pull behind the NYC Hudson.
However, the heavyweights don't like the tight radius of the Peco single and double slip points/turnouts and at least one of the coaches will derail at the tightest spot. This makes it impossible to get from one end to the other, as the train has to cross one or the other troublesome turnout en-route.
Jon
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Problem 2
I have a length of track between the East and West ends of the layout that serves as the yard lead to both. The trouble is that this track is less than a yard long.
Although this is not a problem when operating alone, it becomes a bottleneck when 2 operators are working the East and West yards, a problem which only came to light at exhibitions.
West yard
East yard
Bottleneck
The solution
The easiest way to solve this bottleneck problem is of course to add an extra board or two. However it doesn't solve the problem for the passenger cars that don't like tight radii, even after shaving loads of plastic from the truck mount and adding washers.
Furthermore, any more boards and I'll have to hire a van to take the layout to exhibitions as it will no longer fit into the trunks of 2 cars.
The solution I have come up with will, hopefully, solve both problems in one go.
I picked up a couple of Peco code 75 long radius turnouts and they will just fit onto one of the layout boards at the west end without ripping up too much track. More importantly I won't have to move any turnouts.
This will allow the passenger train to pass from one end to the other without meeting either slip point at the curved setting.
It will also cure the bottleneck as the west end yard operator will be able to use the track leading to the old fiddle yard - just left of the gondola - as the yard lead, leaving the original yard lead solely for the use of the East end operator.
That's the theory. Now to start ripping up track.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
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Except for the Hudson (banned by municipal ordinance) your photos reminded me of what I used to see out of a Bronx tenement when I was a pre-schooler. Very nicely done!
Hopefully, the extra crossover will do the trick.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Jon,
Maybe you've already considered this. What about substituting a long curved turnout for the middle track turnout? That would make for an easier transition into the straight turnout on the far right track.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
See my hopefully useful comments on the Atlas forum.
Ed
7j43k wrote: See my hopefully useful comments on the Atlas forum.Ed
Thanks, but a RH turnout in the road to remove the S, although an excellent idea, would have to cross 2 baseboards - my layout is sectional, so I can take it to exhibitions.
Jay
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I made a start on the crossover and removed a couple of sections of track - easy work with the cutting disc. The oblong of cork in the foreground is filling the hole left by an under-track magnet.
The magnet was reinstalled further up the line.
I also drilled the holes to accept the turnout motors
I spent a while fitting the crossover today and resinking the undertrack magnet. Turned out easier than expected.
Problem one solved.
The heavyweights travel over the new crossover without a hitch.
Problem 2 solved.
The crossover has removed the conflict between the East and West operators needing to use the same yard lead.
I also got time to ballast the crossover with WS chippings, although I'm stuck now, waiting for the glue to dry.
Next job is to paint the rails, ties and ballast, followed up by fitting the turnout motors and decoders.
modelmaker51 wrote:Yeah, good lookin' stuff! But could you explain to this ignorant american what a "baseboard" is?
No problem.
It's what we Brits call the module or section that the track sits on. So I say that my layout is made up of 8 baseboards - ie 8 seperate sections.
modelmaker51 wrote:So, what we call modules, you call baseboards. I wonder how did that term come about??
Always seems to have been in the modelling vocabulary over here, certainly before I got started in the mid 80s.
Just to add another twist - I would refer to modules as 'modular baseboards'
Finished the weeding
Now for the electrics
Adding the wiring and turnout motors on a sectional layout is pretty straight forward and much less of a chore than crawling under a fixed layout with the soldering iron clenched between the teeth.
I simply unbolted the section to be wired and turned it on its side, allowing me to work on it from a comfy chair.
Job done. Now to take some video of the new turnout in action.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Jon, very nice layout. I wish the solution you had for your cars derailing would work on my layout unfortunately I have to remove a lot of plastic under the car itself. Its due t an 18" Radius.
First passenger train over the new crossover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXrvSDOlMS4
John,
Absolutely beautiful modeling!
Any tips for how to assemble those DPM structures?
You should write a modeling book on urban scenery. Yours is some of the best I've seen.
Martin