Hi everyone. Been lurking for a few weeks. Been playing tapletop Wargames last decade or so; with an almost 2 year old running around 3+ hours playing Warhammer isn't feasible and I need something to fettle on... Threw a few ideas around based on a wishlist: - Double main line - Minimum 3rd radius - Maximum 3% gradient - Cool bridge - Turntable I have a Rivarossi Big Boy that is still pristine. Plan on running the layout on an NCE Powercab. Not looking super prototypical but would still like things to make "sense"? This is what I've come up with; would love your feedback.
Redbeard, welcome back to the fold. Do you know whether you are modelling any specific country, freight or passenger or just whatever you like. Anything goes on a personal railway (Rule 1). Looking at your proposed layout it strikes me you need another connection to the bridge loop otherwise your trains will have to either reverse off it or on to it. Jim
Not modelling anywhere hyper specific. Will try to stick to Australian colours and vegetation as it wasn’t something I had the skills or resources to do in my teens. Things like the bridge will be some sort of truss/girder; seems to be what most of Aus has. The Hornby suspension bridge is convenient at local shops but as far as I know wasn’t really ever used anywhere… As for trains. Focus is more on “cool trains” and building complete sets. Think Flying Scotsman with Teaks, 3801 pulling the Newcastle Flyer. Managed to nab a new Hogwarts Express set which keeps the other half on side haha. I’ve managed to win a few hobby awards with Warhammer; keen to try my hand building the Steam Models S class. Any feedback on points placement? I only have the crossover in there atm because I thought it was cool.
As I mentioned in my first reply I think you need a means for trains to enter and leave the bridge loop whilst running in one direction, at the moment they can only enter it forward in one direction but cannot leave it going forwards which would become a tedious operation with trains of any length. If you are scenically going for an Australian style, which way do the trains run on a double track line in Oz, do they pass each other on the left as in the UK or on the right, it makes a difference to how you lay out the point work. At the moment you only have access from the inner loop of the double track line, which way do the trains travel forward on that inner line? Also, do you intend having a station for the passenger trains, I don't on my railway as I model freight operating between yards and treat passenger trains as passing traffic. I would also consider what is the maximum length your trains are to be so sidings and passing loops can be optimised. You need to ask yourself a few more questions about what operations you want to perform with your trains, the design and placement of pointwork will fall into place naturally and still look cool Jim
