Latton Fields

Gary · Jun 15, 2016

The centres on my fiddle yard are 45mm. Ofcourse the outer roads converge a little closer where they meet the entry/exit track. I didn't have any issues over the weekend with my Class 22 and Class 25 rolling in past the two 100 tonne TEA bogie tankers.

Cheers, Gary.

ed · Jun 15, 2016

Cassettes are a great idea Gormo but as I said a couple of posts ago, I doubt I'd eventually be able to lift them due to my back problem.

Thanks Gary, I was guessing at 46mm so it should be ok if I go down that route.

Ed

scottishlocos · Jun 15, 2016

Ed

Layout looking good like the Deltic on profile pic

Dave

gormo · Jun 15, 2016

G`day Ed,
You`re reply about your back has slipped in under my reply last night........sorry I missed that!
Well....??????.......I reckon traverser.......manual.....track centres down to a minimum and probably build it on top of the bench, and as with the cassette suggestion,raise the entry track up to meet it.
The two key elements to make it work are a sliding guide system, possibly drawer runners, and a method to lock each track into place, once positioned for entry to the main layout.
The sector plate I guess would be simpler to build as it pivots rather than slides, however you would still need a locking system as mentioned above.
The penalty of aging is not fair. I also have issues but try to ignore them and carry on regardless. Easier said than done sometimes, but we can`t let these things stop us from playing trains.! There`s always a way around these problems.....we just have to work it out.!
http://www.clickGormo

ed · Jun 16, 2016

scottishlocos wrote:

Ed

Layout looking good like the Deltic on profile pic

Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks Dave.

It's just the Hornby Railroad version and I was going to get a detailing kit for it, but the company that makes them seems to have gone out of business.

Ed

ed · Jun 16, 2016

gormo wrote:

G`day Ed,
You`re reply about your back has slipped in under my reply last night........sorry I missed that!
Well....??????.......I reckon traverser.......manual.....track centres down to a minimum and probably build it on top of the bench, and as with the cassette suggestion,raise the entry track up to meet it.
The two key elements to make it work are a sliding guide system, possibly drawer runners, and a method to lock each track into place, once positioned for entry to the main layout.
The sector plate I guess would be simpler to build as it pivots rather than slides, however you would still need a locking system as mentioned above.
The penalty of aging is not fair. I also have issues but try to ignore them and carry on regardless. Easier said than done sometimes, but we can`t let these things stop us from playing trains.! There`s always a way around these problems.....we just have to work it out.!
http://www.clickGormo
Click to expand...

Hi Gormo

Still undecided and not in any hurry, but I think I'm beginning to think the sector plate would be much easier and cheaper.

There's quite a lot of stuff on the web, but it's amazing how many times I get referred to Carl Arendt's site. Hence my post on it being down

Ed

Toto · Jun 16, 2016

Hi Ed,

You have a bit of a bottle neck on the main loops. Is that not going to restrict the number of trains that you can run at any one time?

Changing out the turntable certainly gives you what you are after though.

ed · Jun 16, 2016

Single track line Toto, only one train in motion normally (space restrictions).

Complicated enough if I follow my 'official' route. From the fiddle yard, round the outside loop a couple of times, then round the inside loop passing the two industrial sidings (Potters Yard), before entering the station.

Then I have to remember to run back to the fiddle yard in the opposite order.

Running alternate main line and local trains to platform 1 and 2 over that route does take a bit of concentration and once I throw in some freight to each of the industrial sidings it will keep me busy.

Of course I could always cheat and go straight from the fiddle yard into the station, but where's the fun in that

Ed

paul_l · Jun 16, 2016

Hi ed

if you fancy the traverser, mine has cost

£17 for BigEasyDriver stepper motor controller, £5 for the arduino, £12 for the stepper motor approx another £10 for additional electronic bits and bobs. Drive belt, pulleys screwed rod and T nuts less than £15.

If you wanted a controller board making up I can do that for you. Setting up is a little fiddly but I can talk you through it, as getting the alignment done is trial and error. But once done, is reliable, and has the advantage of remote control.

I can't remember if your on DC or DCC, but I have built both versions and its easy to use.

Paul

ed · Jun 16, 2016

Bear it all in mind Paul, but there is also the cost of the additional woodwork and drawer runners, compared with a sector plate.

Still playing around with number of roads and what will fit in SCARM.

Ed

paul_l · Jun 16, 2016

Hi ed

For the runners -

I used computer desk keyboard runners, now I would use drawer runners instead like these

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/ball-bearing-full-extension-drawer-slide---zinc-plated---35cm-405888

For the sector plate a similar control system could be used

Paul

ed · Jun 16, 2016

Interesting, hadn't even thought about motorising any sort of sector plate

Still on sector plates, I've read that one of those flimsy Teflon sheets you used to be able to get to put inside a baking tray, are good at reducing friction between the sector plate and what it sits on. Anyone tried one of these ?

Going back to traversers, Station Road Baseboards does some and says "The load ratings are for runners that are fitted vertically & without modification", which implies they need to be mounted the same way as they would in a drawer. Yet I've seen quite a lot of pictures where people have mounted them flat between the bottom of the traverser and whatever framework etc. supports it.

http://www.stationroadbaseboards.co.uk/cart_runners.htm

(click picture for full details)

Ed

paul_l · Jun 16, 2016

Hi ed

The bearings are designed to take the load vertically, but we aren't really loading them too badly, so you can get away with laying them flat.

The rollers on the same link would be ideal for the sector plate.

Paul

ed · Jun 16, 2016

Thanks Paul.

I'm getting side-tracked. Should be putting up a wire fence and some catenary

Ed

paul_l · Jun 16, 2016

as the younger generation may say

my bad

Paul

campaman · Jun 16, 2016

Cassettes dont have to be heavy, the one in the picture below is made from 6mm MDf for the track base with 3mm ply sides, it takes a tender loco and 3 coaches and the total weight is about the same as the trainset box that the loco and coaches came in.

Smaller length ones for just locos or rakes of wagons would weigh even less.

ed · Jun 16, 2016

Take your point Andy, but some times just lifting a full kettle is noticeable. Five, ten years down the road who knows and this is the only option that can't be motorised.

Ed

gormo · Jun 16, 2016

G`day Ed,
Lots of good suggestions coming through from the lads.
At least you`ve got back up here if you need it. Everyone is willing to help if we can.
I was thinking last night, that it`s a wonder nobody has produced a kit version for a traverser or sector plate. One that could be adapted to most situations. I mean there are turntable kits, but none of the above unless I`ve missed something.?
Quite a lot of railway modellers build there own versions but if a commercial, motorised version were available, I bet it would sell.?
http://www.clickGormo

ed · Jun 17, 2016

gormo wrote:

G`day Ed,
Lots of good suggestions coming through from the lads.
At least you`ve got back up here if you need it. Everyone is willing to help if we can.
I was thinking last night, that it`s a wonder nobody has produced a kit version for a traverser or sector plate. One that could be adapted to most situations. I mean there are turntable kits, but none of the above unless I`ve missed something.?
Quite a lot of railway modellers build there own versions but if a commercial, motorised version were available, I bet it would sell.?
http://www.clickGormo
Click to expand...

Probably too many variables.

For example table length would vary not just for amount of storage, but scale as well (O OO/HO N).

Surprised there doesn't seem to be a commercially available motorising kit though, as there is for turntables.

Gap in the market......................... off you go Gormo, new gizmo

Ed

ed · Jun 21, 2016

Bit of a milestone reached.....

First piece of Catenary up.

(I've also now installed the bit of fence leaning against the warehouse).

Now for the interesting bit, how to attach more than one section of Catenery to a single mast.

Ed