Having exhibited Widnes Road in its current form for the last 6 months ideas for a few minor tweaks have gradually gelled in my head to improve operation and gain longer train formations.
As it was originally planned as simply a loco-based layout there were no real thoughts regarding train lengths for head-shunts etc. As the layout has grown, operating short formation freights of up to 6 or seven wagons have taken more of a role.
I have already gone through two incarnations of fiddle yard; the first a mere 2 feet long; the current a little larger at 39 inches; however the longest trains which will fit in the sidings are 36 inches without a loco, which brings the overall train length closer to 48" with a long loco such as a cl.40 or cl.45.
Other tweaks include slightly repositioning buffer stops and Kadee uncoupling ramps to better suit train lengths; and move the fuelling point slightly east to allow 2 sets of 3 fuel tanks beyond the FP.
This brings me to a list of tasks for 2009 to be undertaken between now and the Autumn exhibition season; if I set them down in type I may actually get around to doing them:
1) Move Fuel point 2" east; move buffer stop 3" west on No. 3 road, allowing three fuel tanks in unloading siding;
2) Move bufferstop on No.1 (front) road 5" west, and reposition depot building to front of siding, extend headshunt 5" to a total of 40" (this allows cl. 08 and 6x VDA's to fit.
3) Build Mk.3 Fiddle yard @ 4' (48") long, to accommodate:
Cl.37/47 + 6 x VDA's or 5 x VGA's
4) Build inspection pit, with lighting in Main Depot building; No.1 & No. 2 Roads.
Hopefully this list should take no more than a few months allowing time to complete a few AC electrics in time for the next show in the Summer / Autumn.
As it was originally planned as simply a loco-based layout there were no real thoughts regarding train lengths for head-shunts etc. As the layout has grown, operating short formation freights of up to 6 or seven wagons have taken more of a role.
I have already gone through two incarnations of fiddle yard; the first a mere 2 feet long; the current a little larger at 39 inches; however the longest trains which will fit in the sidings are 36 inches without a loco, which brings the overall train length closer to 48" with a long loco such as a cl.40 or cl.45.
Other tweaks include slightly repositioning buffer stops and Kadee uncoupling ramps to better suit train lengths; and move the fuelling point slightly east to allow 2 sets of 3 fuel tanks beyond the FP.
This brings me to a list of tasks for 2009 to be undertaken between now and the Autumn exhibition season; if I set them down in type I may actually get around to doing them:
1) Move Fuel point 2" east; move buffer stop 3" west on No. 3 road, allowing three fuel tanks in unloading siding;
2) Move bufferstop on No.1 (front) road 5" west, and reposition depot building to front of siding, extend headshunt 5" to a total of 40" (this allows cl. 08 and 6x VDA's to fit.
3) Build Mk.3 Fiddle yard @ 4' (48") long, to accommodate:
Cl.37/47 + 6 x VDA's or 5 x VGA's
4) Build inspection pit, with lighting in Main Depot building; No.1 & No. 2 Roads.
Hopefully this list should take no more than a few months allowing time to complete a few AC electrics in time for the next show in the Summer / Autumn.
No comments:
Post a Comment