I have small loop on a board that measures 77cm x 55cm. After finding my old peco setrack plans I've found the PLAN 25. Caersws looks quite interesting and will fit on my board. It will also allow me to try out some techniques for the Landscaping that I haven't got around to on my main layout so I can make all the mistakes on this. ;) do you guys think it is an efficient use of space?
https://www.osbornsmodels.com/ekmps/shops/osbornsmodels/images/peco-new-plan-027-n-scale-rural-micro-layout-caersws--7703-p.jpg (https://www.osbornsmodels.com/ekmps/shops/osbornsmodels/images/peco-new-plan-027-n-scale-rural-micro-layout-caersws--7703-p.jpg)
It's always good to have somewhere to experiment, practise and then transfer the good bits to something larger. The bad bits you just don't tell anyone about :no: :angel:
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 26, 2020, 09:18:40 PM
It's always good to have somewhere to experiment, practise and then transfer the good bits to something larger. The bad bits you just don't tell anyone about :no: :angel:
That's what I was thinking. My bigger layout is nothing more than a board and track With platforms and station etc . It's been that way for a few years. I built the smaller layout and tried to squeeze in too much track. I think it's time to try my hand at scenery on the layout now and this will be ideal. Just wondered if there will be enough track to keep me occupied on there.
You'll not be able to do a huge amount owing to the sheer simplicity of the track plan but, given a small fiddle yard stage left, you can have a play now and then. It's also a good place to photograph things and practise that as well.
The fiddle yard could be simple cassettes, a sector plate, traverser or just a small add on board.
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 26, 2020, 09:33:26 PM
You'll not be able to do a huge amount owing to the sheer simplicity of the track plan but, given a small fiddle yard stage left, you can have a play now and then. It's also a good place to photograph things and practise that as well.
The fiddle yard could be simple cassettes, a sector plate, traverser or just a small add on board.
I'm more than open to other suggestions if you have any. Really appreciate your input so far.
Maybe another board as mick suggested to practice on and use as a fiddle yard would add interest. Look at windmill hill layout and adapt that . https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=39207.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=39207.0)
Quote from: crewearpley40 on May 26, 2020, 10:15:46 PM
Maybe another board as mick suggested to practice on and use as a fiddle yard would add interest. Look at windmill hill layout and adapt that . https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=39207.0 (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=39207.0)
The work on that is stunning. This layout will by my 2nd/ 3rd layout and something I can make mistakes on before putting them into practice on my mane layout.
Practice makes perfect. I'm on my umpteenth attempt and amazing the number of us working with space limitations. Sure kevin @Phoenix (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=5755) will appreciate me for the mention
Bit more.caersws good plan ....https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/62764-a-visit-to-caersws-881982/ (https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/62764-a-visit-to-caersws-881982/) and worth a think about https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/welsh-homes/fancy-living-working-railway-platform-8104501 (https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/welsh-homes/fancy-living-working-railway-platform-8104501)
Quote from: crewearpley40 on May 26, 2020, 10:53:36 PMCaersws good plan
Not the least of which it can be adjusted slightly to provide an Inglenook for shunting operations, providing it with some longevity as a layout.
Quote from: rob_au on May 27, 2020, 03:30:24 AM
Quote from: crewearpley40 on May 26, 2020, 10:53:36 PMCaersws good plan
Not the least of which it can be adjusted slightly to provide an Inglenook for shunting operations, providing it with some longevity as a layout.
I like the sound of this a lot. What would you add and where?
Check this .... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglenook_Sidings (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglenook_Sidings) then http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/Inglenook/inglenook-trackplan.html (http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/Inglenook/inglenook-trackplan.html)
Quote from: IkBrunel on May 27, 2020, 08:07:56 AM
I like the sound of this a lot. What would you add and where?
All that you need to do is to ensure the lengths of your track and sidings are appropriate to hold a given number of rolling stock (wagons).
For your three sidings (on the right of the layout diagram that you have provided), you want to ensure that you can hold 5 wagons on one of these sidings and 3 wagons on the other two. For the main-line (on the left of the diagram that you have provided), you want to be able to hold your locomotive and 3 wagons. This is representative of the "classic" Inglenook (5-3-3). If you are running short on space, you can change this to a 3-2-2 "minimal" arrangement, but with this change, there is a reduction in the number of shunting combinations that can be achieved.
See http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-inglenook.html (http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-inglenook.html) for further details.
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 26, 2020, 09:33:26 PM
You'll not be able to do a huge amount owing to the sheer simplicity of the track plan but, given a small fiddle yard stage left, you can have a play now and then. It's also a good place to photograph things and practise that as well.
The fiddle yard could be simple cassettes, a sector plate, traverser or just a small add on board.
or go with mick ' s idea ..... be honest are you constrained by space limitations ?
Quote from: crewearpley40 on May 27, 2020, 08:35:05 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 26, 2020, 09:33:26 PM
You'll not be able to do a huge amount owing to the sheer simplicity of the track plan but, given a small fiddle yard stage left, you can have a play now and then. It's also a good place to photograph things and practise that as well.
The fiddle yard could be simple cassettes, a sector plate, traverser or just a small add on board.
or go with mick ' s idea ..... be honest are you constrained by space limitations ?
I am limbered with this particular layout as the baseboard is already made. It had a small loop on it with point and sidings. I was used it test locos and run trains/ shunting whilst I laid track on my main layout. Now that's down and it's a continues loop I'm fancying a little project that I can run trains On whilst testing out landscaping techniques. I would prefer to make mistakes and have to redo them on this before I do it on my main layout.
There is a plan called north east coast branch in the plan book but there's no way I could shoehorn it on to that board. It's a shame beaceuse I've visited this place many times.
https://www.osbornsmodels.com/peco-new-plan-007-n-scale-north-east-coast-branch-7687-p.asp (https://www.osbornsmodels.com/peco-new-plan-007-n-scale-north-east-coast-branch-7687-p.asp)
What would your idea be for a small board of this size?
Quote from: rob_au on May 27, 2020, 08:18:25 AM
Quote from: IkBrunel on May 27, 2020, 08:07:56 AM
I like the sound of this a lot. What would you add and where?
All that you need to do is to ensure the lengths of your track and sidings are appropriate to hold a given number of rolling stock (wagons).
For your three sidings (on the right of the layout diagram that you have provided), you want to ensure that you can hold 5 wagons on one of these sidings and 3 wagons on the other two. For the main-line (on the left of the diagram that you have provided), you want to be able to hold your locomotive and 3 wagons. This is representative of the "classic" Inglenook (5-3-3). If you are running short on space, you can change this to a 3-2-2 "minimal" arrangement, but with this change, there is a reduction in the number of shunting combinations that can be achieved.
See http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-inglenook.html (http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-inglenook.html) for further details.
Thank you for that. Would you be tempted to put two lines coming in down allowing for an extra set of points and more shunting
3ft x 2 ft 9 I would allow 4 x 3 to allow extra track , scenics controller
Quote from: IkBrunel on May 27, 2020, 11:20:51 AM
Thank you for that. Would you be tempted to put two lines coming in down allowing for an extra set of points and more shunting
Certainly. If you have the space and spare points/track, why not? ;) The only advice that I would give is to be careful not to make the layout "too busy" with too much track, particularly if your goal is to practice layout and scenery construction techniques ahead of working on another, larger layout (but of course, it could equally be argued that more track gives greater opportunity to practice that element of layout construction).
Quote from: rob_au on May 27, 2020, 11:30:05 AM
Quote from: IkBrunel on May 27, 2020, 11:20:51 AM
Thank you for that. Would you be tempted to put two lines coming in down allowing for an extra set of points and more shunting
Certainly. If you have the space and spare points/track, why not? ;) The only advice that I would give is to be careful not to make the layout "too busy" with too much track, particularly if your goal is to practice layout and scenery construction techniques ahead of working on another, larger layout (but of course, it could equally be argued that more track gives greater opportunity to practice that element of layout construction).
<a href="https://ibb.co/myHr5JS"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/C9npKBW/56-A25-B39-595-C-4005-841-B-52-CCBF0-B5642.jpg" alt="56-A25-B39-595-C-4005-841-B-52-CCBF0-B5642" border="0"></a>
Excuse the terrible drawing but I could add another track behind it as my board is wider than that in the picture. I could put a point as I have on the really poor digram and even one further up if I have enough for not shunting if you think that would be a good idea?
(https://i.ibb.co/C9npKBW/56-A25-B39-595-C-4005-841-B-52-CCBF0-B5642.jpg) (https://ibb.co/myHr5JS)
Quote from: IkBrunel on May 27, 2020, 11:51:30 AM
Excuse the terrible drawing but I could add another track behind it as my board is wider than that in the picture. I could put a point as I have on the really poor digram and even one further up if I have enough for not shunting if you think that would be a good idea?
I don't see any reason why not. At the end of the day, this is your layout and ultimately, you should be happy with it. If you feel that you would be happier with some additional track to play with, certainly include it in your layout design.
It comes down to rule #1 - Your layout, your rules.
And please share some pictures as your building it! These are always great to see! :)
Quote from: IkBrunel on May 27, 2020, 11:16:15 AM
Quote from: crewearpley40 on May 27, 2020, 08:35:05 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on May 26, 2020, 09:33:26 PM
You'll not be able to do a huge amount owing to the sheer simplicity of the track plan but, given a small fiddle yard stage left, you can have a play now and then. It's also a good place to photograph things and practise that as well.
The fiddle yard could be simple cassettes, a sector plate, traverser or just a small add on board.
or go with mick ' s idea ..... be honest are you constrained by space limitations ?
I am limbered with this particular layout as the baseboard is already made. It had a small loop on it with point and sidings. I was used it test locos and run trains/ shunting whilst I laid track on my main layout. Now that's down and it's a continues loop I'm fancying a little project that I can run trains On whilst testing out landscaping techniques. I would prefer to make mistakes and have to redo them on this before I do it on my main layout.
There is a plan called north east coast branch in the plan book but there's no way I could shoehorn it on to that board. It's a shame beaceuse I've visited this place many times.
https://www.osbornsmodels.com/peco-new-plan-007-n-scale-north-east-coast-branch-7687-p.asp (https://www.osbornsmodels.com/peco-new-plan-007-n-scale-north-east-coast-branch-7687-p.asp)
What would your idea be for a small board of this size?
Planning to do a layout for scenic building tests, this second peco-plan seems better. There are more scenic elements that "should be exercised" :D
Now... how to adapt it to your base board...
Take the proposed plan and slightly rotate it clockwise. (I know it looks better if the tracks are not parallel to the board edges... but small places require compromises)
Then take your baseboard as 77x55 in order to get the station parallel to the long edge. You can then model almost up to the bridge on the short edge.
At least this gives you a station, some cottages, some greeneery, water and a bridge to model. If you want to be able to run around add a second board (temporarily only) to close the loop. This attachment could be unmodeled.
Quote from: crewearpley40 on May 27, 2020, 11:26:07 AM
3ft x 2 ft 9 I would allow 4 x 3 to allow extra track , scenics controller
I would allow for 93cm x 84cm
Here's something in 77cms x 55cms with a little more track on it but you'd still need some form of off scene storage for trains to enter the scenic board. Unless DMUs, coaches/wagons would require propelling onto the scenic board as there's no room for a run round. Station to go as previous plans.