OO Stratford Works (micro) plus mumblings...

Discussion in 'Planks, Switching and Shelf Layouts' started by dpaws, Dec 6, 2018.

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  1. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    I need a home for this micro project therefore I'm a plank! The layout project sort of is, have a look:

    fullsizeoutput_23b7.jpeg

    Photobombed by his Lordship but you get the idea! Inspired by many of the other micro-layouts this will be mine. Research for my Peckett project took me to Stratford Works where Departmental Locomotive #33 resided until the early '60s. Further research of this huge site convinced me that one could indulge by modelling just one small area of it so this is an "inspired by" corner where the Work's shunters hang out.

    The above is the first mock-up using foam board, a glue gun and a USB full of Scalescene pdfs to photoshop and print out on sticky back paper. To keep me on track I've been making notes:
    • The custom Tim Horn baseboard will be open across one corner, 775x325mm plus the bulge for the turntable. (overall 844x373mm, 3'x1' equiv. area)
    • Traverser extensions will fit onto the right-hand end and Peco loco-lifts will reduce on/off stock handling.
    • The track is Peco's code 75 Bullhead, including the "unifrog" single turnout.
    • The turntable is Fleischmann's 180mm 6134C indexing and auto-reversing HO model; old tech but a well tried, tested and reliable system.
    • The turnout will switch using a MTB5 (inc.DPDT) servo automatically, linked to the turntable's road selection.
    • Loco control (only) will be DCC with an NCE Twin permitting two simultaneous movements. The twin road traverser will be a custom built precision linear slide and hand-wheeled for now using magnets for alignment, that's plan (a). Stepper motor operation may follow one day...
    STRATFORD WORKS MICRO.jpg

    The plan could scale easily into 'O' gauge; tempting with the number of excellent RTR shunters that have appeared in recent years and a trend that's still building momentum. For now at least OO offers more advantages for portability and it'll fit nicely on our canal boat. Later I'd produce a 3D model of the baseboard and the turntable's secondary purposes will become more apparent - I want to use it as a revolving locomotive display stand so models can still be enjoyed between running sessions. The darker brown section in the centre of the schematic will be a pull-out integrated stock box.
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2018
  2. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    Very nice plans, great to see the start very well planed and thought out
    Will be interesting to watch the development as the track and scenics start.
     
  3. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Nice mock up of the future plank. I like the idea of it becoming a revolving locomotive display, great idea ! Looking forward to seeing how you get along with this project and that left hand point !

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  4. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    A cracking project and like you say, suitable for other scales. Small enough for a little work to have big results! Great, I will follow with interest.:tophat::tophat:

    Pete.
     
  5. mydadstoys

    mydadstoys Full Member

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    This looks like a great project. I will be watching with interest.
     
  6. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    Well thank you all for the kind works of encouragement! I've attached a "decorated" plan to give an idea of the scenic elements along with a few items from my project scrapbook that I've tripped across whilst googling...

    ANGEL'S END WORKS.jpg

    The final photo is of a LCUT model that I'll use in semi low relief along the back-scene with a similar gantry arrangement spanning the siding. The Fleischmann turntable has arrived; it's remarkably similar to the one in the foto, scenically I think it'll work well with just a light weathering, fine brass handrails and a little corrosion showing on the bridge girders beneath.
    Snip20181206_14.png Snip20181206_15.png Snip20181206_23.png Snip20181206_21.png Snip20181206_16.png crq_1904_2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
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  7. mydadstoys

    mydadstoys Full Member

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    Sounds good to me. I like the L Cut models, looking forward to seeing more.
     
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  8. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    model-railway-turntable-.jpg

    Guys, I need your advice... utterly charming as this photo is, were turntables ever used to reverse the formation in lieu of a reversing loop? Maybe only on Saturday afternoons when the foreman was distracted listening to the football on the radio...?

    I've dropped lucky with this Fleischmann - I've ordered a very nice controller with an auto-reverse feature. Hopefully I'll be able to panel mount next to the controller. I've asked for the cut out, fingers crossed.

    Snip20181207_28.png
     
    Last edited: Dec 7, 2018
  9. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Very interesting controller. Do you have the direct link to the website ?
     
  10. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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  11. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Thanks huge. I'm orf for a gander. I have my Cowans and Sheldon 70 foot turntable that I bought at Telford last year that I need to think about.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  12. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    Bet that wasn't a cheap outing! :avatar: I've been drooling over their smaller models but sadly it would be yet another kit stashed in "the drawer" that I'd be too scared to build! Hence the Fleischmann, fully RTR and me-proof for the wiring :)

    I'm thinking about these guys integrating the turntable indicator into a panel with green LEDs for the permitted exits and the red LEDs for the others...

    https://kslaserdesigns.com/mimic-panel

    and then just maybe I can re-box this heap of American ugliness into the same panel and it'll all look rather lahdi! ;)

    dcc twin.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
  13. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Is there ever such s thing. :avatar: I had saved up some loco vouchers for that visit:avatar: came away with a bit of a haul.missed it this year but wild horses won't keep me away from it next year. An absolute must for O gauges.
     
  14. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    O gauge... oh don't tempt me, my bank account's groaning already! :oops: Boys 'n' toys!!
     
  15. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    :avatar:
     
  16. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    The only disadvantage with the above system for other uses would be in conjunction with DCC sound as there's a polarity to reverse - though a stay-alive capacitor on the loco's decoder would negate the issue.
     
  17. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    Look what I found on 'bay - hide a couple inside the turntable's perimeter wall - just perfect for loco posing!

    Snip20181208_29.png
     
  18. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    I'm not the smartest person when it comes to electronics and controlling polalrity on a DCC layout, but I'm wondering if a frog juicer would negate this problem..??

    See here : https://www.traintekllc.com/tam-valley-depot-dcc-hex-frog-juicer-6-output-auto-reverser/

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  19. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    This may be useful http://www.gfcontrols.co.uk/index.php/turntable/ - there's reference there to a Mike Green https://greenwoodmodelrailwayproducts.co.uk/locomotive-storage-boxes who's still doing turntable stuff so the controller may be still available...

    WARNING: There's also a RTR indexing O gauge traverser available off the shelf - for the sake of a happy marriage it's probably best not to look... https://greenwoodmodelrailwayproducts.co.uk/locomotive-storage-boxes/traverser
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
  20. dpaws

    dpaws Full Member

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    I'm very much hoping so Gary - I've got the exact same sat here in my drawer waiting for an excuse to be used... at last - you can never have enough of these "useful one day" sort of gadgets in "the drawer"... :rolleyes:
     
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