:helpneededsign:
I want to make or purchase a track foot crossing (if that's the correct term) with an appearance of wood at the bottom of the ramps of two opposite platforms. I have searched online but perhaps not using the correct terminology I can't find anything. Does anyone know of a manufacturer who makes such a thing or does anyone know how to make a realistic looking foot crossing?
Woodland Scenics make a ready to plant version (ref C1149) but why pay a tenner or so when you could make one from scratch with either matches or balsa sheet cut to suitable length/width strips glued down and stained? @Delboy (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=3997) has some 3D printed plastic ones at a very reasonable price but they have a slope each side of the single track. I don't know if he has 'infill' pieces for your double track.
:thankyousign:
Thanks for that. I was going to order the Balsa wood to make it when I found the Woodland Scenics item on eBay at £6.99 including postage. Thanks again.
Or appropriate strips of plasticard also work well.
Quote from: Artisan on December 30, 2018, 09:41:02 AM
:helpneededsign:
I want to make or purchase a track foot crossing (if that's the correct term) with an appearance of wood at the bottom of the ramps of two opposite platforms. I have searched online but perhaps not using the correct terminology I can't find anything. Does anyone know of a manufacturer who makes such a thing or does anyone know how to make a realistic looking foot crossing?
A common term for this is "Barrow Crossing"
On previous layout I used balsa of appropriate thickness. You can either use sheet balsa and score it lightly to look like planks/sleepers, or you can use strip balsa and assemble it like the real thing.
I made my own foot crossing using my 3D printer.
See link below:-
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=42283.msg523373#msg523373 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=42283.msg523373#msg523373)
Quote from: NGS-PO on December 30, 2018, 02:42:08 PM
Quote from: Artisan on December 30, 2018, 09:41:02 AM
:helpneededsign:
I want to make or purchase a track foot crossing (if that's the correct term) with an appearance of wood at the bottom of the ramps of two opposite platforms. I have searched online but perhaps not using the correct terminology I can't find anything. Does anyone know of a manufacturer who makes such a thing or does anyone know how to make a realistic looking foot crossing?
A common term for this is "Barrow Crossing"
On previous layout I used balsa of appropriate thickness. You can either use sheet balsa and score it lightly to look like planks/sleepers, or you can use strip balsa and assemble it like the real thing.
Thank you for informing me of the term Barrow Crossing and the information concerning the Balsa construction.
Next time you are in a coffee shop, appropriate a couple of those wooden stirrers and make your own ;)
I have a foot crossing on Hawthorn Dene, at the bottom of the white steps - a prototype feature at Easington. The other end of it can just be seen appearing from under the push-pull set.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/45/1473-051116221540.jpeg)
An occupation/barrow crossing is a good way of finding out which of your stock has larger smaller back-to-backs than the rest (these bounce/derail). This in turn means either changing the offending wheelsets- not always easy on a kitbuilt loco or opening out the clearances on the crossing. I ended up doing both as there were too many locos that were affected. The crossing has continued to be a bit of a stalling point for locos.
One issue you will find is that if you paint the thing that paint will wear as you clean the track, or dissolve in time if you use a liquid cleaner. This in turn leads to white patches which needs to be touched in - more chance for stray paint to reach rail head and for stalling- therefore an area to be rubbed harder at next track cleaning time, rubbing the paint off the crossing..........
I'm not saying don't do it. Justv be prepared for it to be a high maintenance part of your trackwork.
Have fun.
Les
(just thankful that pics of Croft Spa appear not to show a barrow crossing North of the road bridge)
Thanks to all the replies :thumbsup:
Quote from: Les1952 on December 30, 2018, 10:59:33 PM
I have a foot crossing on Hawthorn Dene, at the bottom of the white steps - a prototype feature at Easington. The other end of it can just be seen appearing from under the push-pull set.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/45/1473-051116221540.jpeg)
An occupation/barrow crossing is a good way of finding out which of your stock has larger smaller back-to-backs than the rest (these bounce/derail). This in turn means either changing the offending wheelsets- not always easy on a kitbuilt loco or opening out the clearances on the crossing. I ended up doing both as there were too many locos that were affected. The crossing has continued to be a bit of a stalling point for locos.
One issue you will find is that if you paint the thing that paint will wear as you clean the track, or dissolve in time if you use a liquid cleaner. This in turn leads to white patches which needs to be touched in - more chance for stray paint to reach rail head and for stalling- therefore an area to be rubbed harder at next track cleaning time, rubbing the paint off the crossing..........
I'm not saying don't do it. Justv be prepared for it to be a high maintenance part of your trackwork.
Have fun.
Les
(just thankful that pics of Croft Spa appear not to show a barrow crossing North of the road bridge)
Hi Les,
Thank you for the well informed answer.
I suppose the benefit of doing my own is that I can leave a slightly wider gap with the "between the rails" section such that the back to back wheel setting would have to be well wide of the mark to cause derailments. With regards to the paint lifting during track cleaning I have sealed mine with matt varnish which affords some protection against this.
I would use the thin wood used for punnets of strawberries etc. - you get the grain effect free of charge.
Best regards,
Joe
Quote from: Delboy on December 31, 2018, 10:55:38 AM
Hi Les,
Thank you for the well informed answer.
I suppose the benefit of doing my own is that I can leave a slightly wider gap with the "between the rails" section such that the back to back wheel setting would have to be well wide of the mark to cause derailments. With regards to the paint lifting during track cleaning I have sealed mine with matt varnish which affords some protection against this.
So did I, and it didn't.......
The other tip is to cheat and keep the top of the crossing lower than it ought to be. It is not unusual for things to start hanging down from wagons (and occasionally locos) during a running session and for these to be unnoticed until they catch on something. I mean these push-fit details we get worked up about if manufacturers leave them off, but which with a life of rattling over Peco points work loose. A slightly lowered surface also makes the rails easier to clean through the crossing.
All the very best.
Les
Hi Les,
Happy New Year and thanks for the extra tips. Well appreciated.
Regards Dennis.
Also, as has been hinted at above barrow crossings were generally made from old sleepers and should be a sleeper's length wide.
Having said that, in the 1930s the station I am modeling, Welwyn North, had a regular barrow crossing at the end of the platforms and a very narrow one forming a short cut between the booking office and the down platform.
Reply #14;
I think that at least at busier/bigger 'through' stations there was a barrow crossing at one end (or both) of the platforms, and a narrower 'staff' crossing to enable porters (or whoever) to get across the running lines without having to use footbridges/subways/end platform crossings, which was usually about half way down the length of the platform (Or opposite the staff mess room?) The platform sides usually had a couple of strategically placed bricks or similar to act as steps to enable to staff to climb up the other side.
Martyn
Quote from: Cutter on January 03, 2019, 11:03:59 AM
Also, as has been hinted at above barrow crossings were generally made from old sleepers and should be a sleeper's length wide.
Having said that, in the 1930s the station I am modeling, Welwyn North, had a regular barrow crossing at the end of the platforms and a very narrow one forming a short cut between the booking office and the down platform.
Thanks for the info.
My 3D printed version shown above is indeed based on old sleepers and I am pleased that the detail reflects this.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/72/1988-030119125823.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=72861)
This photo shows the staff crossing at Welwyn North in 1938, and the steps down to it. The loco is one of the "Royal Claudes" kept at Cambridge, the shunting horse was called Tom and his driver was Charles Hall. I've no idea who the lad on the platform was.
That's a great clear photo showing you lots of detail for your modelled version.
Loving that loco.
Two of these locos were kept at Cambridge for service at short notice on the Royal train, mostly running to Wolferton for Sandringham. The locos had extra brass and were kept clean and polished ready to go. When not on Royal duty they did regular service. The photo shows the spotless loco hauling the filthy carriages of a Cambridge express
Not all wooden planking between the tracks was for barrow crossings, in this picture, (courtesy Swindons other railway / Mike Barnsley) it was to protect point and signal rodding
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/72/6067-040119092423.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=72873)
This was particulartly common in those areas prone to snow and ice.
PS barrow crossings and point rodding covers make good ways of hiding board joins...
This Picture from the same source of Weyhill has the normal format for a barrow crossing, at the end of a platform so you could actually use a barrow on it..
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/72/6067-040119093541.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=72875)