A very happy and healthy 2021 to all. After much hesitation, I have commenced construction of my long awaited Inglenook inspired layout. This is my second layout, the first being about 40 years ago, which was not very good and only ran a few times, before being archived. From what I know now, it was an Inglenook layout, with a design from a British Railway Modeler magazine. This new layout is partially dual gauge (HO/HOe) and is DCC controlled. The fundamental design is based on feedback and operating layouts from Gary and SMR Chris. The operation is also based on layouts built or being built by leadie69 and Ianvolvo46. In particularly having a background line operating separately from the Inglenook, and the coastal design. The background line sits above the Inglenook level, but there is the ability to interconnect both levels at the single level Fiddle Yard. The operating era is essentially modern, allowing the background line (now the new mainline, bypassing the coastal town), to run some of the excellent high power diesel locos and long coal trains, maybe even high speed passenger. The Inglenook area has been bypassed by the mainline and runs diesel and steam HOe excursions up to the quarry (third level - future). Anyrail sketched attached, and very happy for feedback. Steve
Some construction photos. Much harder than first thought. Tools and track everywhere. Need to get more organised. Apart from a love View attachment 25896 of narrow gauge railways, the higher than normal clearances is to allow me to occasionally run my 0n30 Bachmann Shay and Climax locos with associated rolling stock. It will also allow my mates to run N scale occasionally on the HOe track.
really like the dual Inglenook Steve. I am also keen to have a port scene but still in early days of planning. You mention that there are two different levels, I assume from what I have seen the transition is linear, what is the percentage gradient?
Hi Steve1702 Thank you for your feedback. For your port scene, have a look at this link in a posting by Gary http://www.jomrd.com/index.php?page=Blog. The 0n30 design in Maine http://www.jomrd.com/index.php?page=ShowRecord&ID=46 is very impressive. Lovely schooners and a lovely placement of the Fairlie loco. Yes, the former main line will meet the new mainline via a junction with an incline of 4%. It is a bit steep, but with a small a load it should be manageable. I will test it before comitting to it, although it will be hard to avoid it with the space available. What could be an interesting scenario is where the mainline is being under maintenance, and the mainline traffic is forced to run through the old line. This may require the use of helper locos to assist on the 4% grade out of the coastal village. An opportunity for an interesting operating session. Steve
Hi Steve, Nice design you got going there ! I like the fact that you are combining two different gauges of railway, most excellent. Having the top mainline is a great idea too, allowing as you said, fast freights and future passengers. Nice. One thing I did notice in your track plans was the area of red track. This is an indication that the radius is to tight. Can I make these suggestions... (use the numbers as guides) 1. Push the curve out further to make it a more consistent curve. 2. Move the curved point lower and allow for a consistent inner radius. 3. Replace the point here with a curved right hander and allow for a smoother curve/transition. 4. Start the radius further left and allow the curve to flow. Making these changes now will make running that much more pleasurable in the future. Cheers, Gary.
Hi Gary Thanks very much for you feedback. This layout has evolved from the flow of Inglenook information some time ago from you, SMR Chris, leadie69, and the coastal Inglenook design of a new layout by Ianvolvo46. Using Anyrail, I have the radius set to 900mm primarily to suit the high speed curve on the LHS. Yes, this does still need work, as it is less than 900mm. Having said that, those other curves also do need work. I find I have to work within the limitations of the mainline, and then everything else has to fit in, to varying degrees. So far, I am using all Tillig track, which does not have curved H0e points. I like your idea of the curved point and will see what Peco or others have to offer. I may have to use N scale and modify the sleepers to look more like H0 scale. Thank you again. Your initial feedback about Inglenooks started me down this path, and I really do like the look of Narrow Gauge railways, and the opportunities they offer for smaller layouts. Regards Steve
You are welcome. I would hate to see you get further down the track (no pun intended) only to find that the wheels have fallen off the track due to tight radii. On another note and possibly up your alley..., I'm unsure if you have seen this book or not, it does offer some creative ideas as well as tips and tricks.... 'Modelling Narrow Gauge Railways In Small Scales' by Chris Ford, ISBN 978 1 84797 935 3 Published by The Crowood Press Ltd in 2015. Cheers, Gary.
Hi Gary. Your feedback and advice is always very welcome. There are not many books on narrow gauge railways that I know of. I have a couple, and this one looks pretty good. I have ordered a copy. I may have more questions about the layout as I put down more track. Thanks Steve
No worries, ask as many questions as you need, then ask more ! As they say, if you don't ask, you'll never know !! I purchased that book a while ago, when I was contemplating a narrow gauge railway myself... Maybe, just maybe one day I'll build that narrow gauge railway... Cheers, Gary.
Hi Gary. I received the book last week. Thanks for the advice. It is a very good book, and a nice addition to another on Narrow Gauge modelling from the same publisher, but another author. Steve
It is totally wrong but it looks OK. I am sure you will see what I mean. It was a trial of newly laid track and it seemed to look good
A number may have realised this, but these are Bachmann On30 logging trucks behind my HO loco. Everything lined up and they are nicely detailed and heavy. They may look better with HO scale logs.
For the curved point, as it's in the dock area, you could just embed the points in cobbles / concrete and cover the sleepers all together. I like the concept, and the dual gauge trackwork is impressive. Paul
Thanks very much Paul, and I appreciate your feedback. This little layout has evolved from the ideas and feedback and many people on this site Yes, I have bought Peco N scale curved points and have cut off every second sleeper outside the rails. Does not look great and I would prefer to embed these. That can work well because of their location where vehicles would also be driving across the tracks. Thanks again for your feedback. Steve
Nice that the HO (SW7) couples up to the narrow gauge stock. Do you get any coupler tension of lock around bends as the couplers are off set to each other ? Cheers, Gary.
Thanks Gary. It is, and it looks good. I would like to use them (On30) possibly loaded with HO scale logs. No, there is no coupling tension lock as both couplers are in line, in the centre of the HO standard gauge rails. Steve
A quick update on the (now) Single Inglenook, Dual Gauge layout. I have decided to make use of a dual slip for the standard gauge section in place of two points, and because I think they look good and complex. I like complexity. I have also decided to loop the narrow gauge back onto the main line to improve the flexibility of operating the layout. At the end of the day, the operation of the layout will focus on the narrow gauge section. Similar to jakesdad13, I am having to design a bit "on the fly". I have used AnyRail to plan the layout with the strict controls (radius limits etc) that a package such as AnyRail applies. This has been great to develop the big picture of the layout, and work within the limitations of my available space. However, once I started building the layout (having bought the initial quantities of track and points), and laying out the track, and having received valuable feedback through this site, I have found a strong need to move with the limitations of the space and available track Eg use of Peco N Scale curved points in place of Tillig HOe non curved points. Thanks to feedback from Gary and paul_I It has been a steep learning curve with a way to go. A lot of fun though. Latest version of the layout attached. Steve