I've recently completed a Metcalf platform kit to fit between two tracks. It's a close fit, but carriages line up fine. However when my class 8 shunter arrived the con rods fouled the platform edge. Moving the platorm back to allow it to pass resulted in a very large gap for my N gauge passengers to leap across! It's not a problem for my diesel locos, and I can divert the class 8 to bypass the platform. BUT what if I invest in the Jubilee class 'Nelson? Will I have the same problem?

I could do with knowing now, when I can re-build my platform a couple of mm narrower, before making it a permanent fixture.

Cheers, the Manxrailman.

is this a new style or old style 08 ? just wondering if I'll have the same problem with my platforms and new style 08s

cheers

alan

I am building some platforms at the moment and reported on this forum some time ago it states by a member to allow use 08 loco for clearances.

so either old or new style are a problem ?

It's the new Farish 08 you need. The older ones didn't have outside frames so are pretty much standard width.
The new 08 is the one that most people use as the platform width yardstick (no pun intended),
I'm currently building platforms for Trepol Bay station so my 08 is busy at the moment.
The other thing to bear in mind is that if you have curved platforms, you need to test your longest loco or longest carriage to make sure that it doesn't foul the platform edge on the curve.

thanks for clarifying that, port perran.

so for my curved platforms, WHEN I build them, I need to check overhang from longest loco / carriage, which will be cl50 / mk.3, and the width with a new style cl08 as well to be on the safe side.

cheers

alan

Quote from: class37025 on January 23, 2015, 01:28:56 PM
thanks for clarifying that, port perran.

so for my curved platforms, WHEN I build them, I need to check overhang from longest loco / carriage, which will be cl50 / mk.3, and the width with a new style cl08 as well to be on the safe side.

cheers

alan

I think that's pretty much it.  I had a very frustrating time getting my curved platform at Port Perran just right.

Having similar issues with the platforms on HOLLERTON JUNCTION.  The clearances on N gauge stock vary quite considerably and you do tend to end up with quite a gap (and my platforms are straight!).  I also found that as built the Metcalfe platforms were a little low although this does depend on how you have ballasted your track.  In my case the track sits directly on the baseboard and I am using Code 80 PECO track so needed to add about 1mm of card under the length of the platforms.

The following link details the standards used by the real railways in Britain.

http://www.rgsonline.co.uk/Railway_Group_Standards/Infrastructure/Railway%20Group%20Standards/GIRT7016%20Iss%202.pdf

Hope this helps.

Paddy

I've posted these before, but these are NOT posed pictures. The outside motion clipped the platform edges and flicked the 08 to the position shown!
[smg id=9297 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=9298 type=preview align=center width=400]
[smg id=9299 type=preview align=center width=400]

Thanks for all your responses. 
So it looks as if my class 08 (recent - about a year old) is the best specimen to use, and if this works, then pretty much anything else should too, and I'll just have to accept that the gap's a bit on the large side. I also discovered that curves that throw out the buffers on carriages can also cause problems. Anyway, the Metcalf kit has enough stuff to make plenty more platforms, so I'll write my 1st attempt off to experience. And since I'm using Kato track, I can confirm that the standard Metcalf height is certainly too low, and has been raised up quite a bit.
Cheers, Manxrailman.
(Just returned from the Normanton & Pontefract RMS - well worth a visit - still on tomorrow!)

I believe the Minitrix 9F 2-10-0 steamer is also a 'bit of a wide boy' when it comes to platform clearances

I agree about the Minitrix 9F, that's the one I use for testing platform clearances. It's a good idea to get all your locos out and test them for clearance but that doesn't help once you've installed platforms and you buy a new loco.

A friend of mine had an extensive British layout but couldn't resist one US loco - a Big Boy - which lived up to it's name and had to be re routed out of the way of any platforms.