Coupling in public

[PostModN66]

I had the situation of needing to decouple every time on my Cromford Wharf and Sheep Pasture Incline, pushing wagons onto the incline and extracting either the engine or other wagons not running that rake.

The easiest possible solution, and one that works every time, was a fixed ramp to lift one coupling half. If two wagons are going to run, the first recouples as they both pass the ramp. I tried transparent plastic but in the end shaped Plastrut wide enough only to operate the one half worked so well I left it.

Dave - any photos on the web of C&HP layout?  I have done a Google, and a search here and RM Web and couldn't find it I don't think (there is a thread on RM Web but it is by someone called Andy and it peters out).

I love the C&HP having walked and cycled it often.  In June I am doing a cycling event partly on the High Peak Trail....

Cheers  Jon 

[steve836]

Dave - any photos on the web of C&HP layout?  I have done a Google, and a search here and RM Web and couldn't find it I don't think (there is a thread on RM Web but it is by someone called Andy and it peters out).

I love the C&HP having walked and cycled it often.  In June I am doing a cycling event partly on the High Peak Trail....

Cheers  Jon 

There was an article in Railway Modeler on a model of "Sheep Pasture Incline" about a year ago. I too like the C&HPR. an the works & yard at the foot of "Sheep Pasture Incline"  are on my model based on Cromford. Some pics are in my folder. (look in media section of my profile)
Steve

[port perran]

I had the situation of needing to decouple every time on my Cromford Wharf and Sheep Pasture Incline, pushing wagons onto the incline and extracting either the engine or other wagons not running that rake.

The easiest possible solution, and one that works every time, was a fixed ramp to lift one coupling half. If two wagons are going to run, the first recouples as they both pass the ramp. I tried transparent plastic but in the end shaped Plastrut wide enough only to operate the one half worked so well I left it.

Any chance of a close up photo of that please?

[Bad Raven]

Any chance of a close up photo of that please?

No, sorry, Layout not where it can be erected currently or forseen.  Its blindingly simple though, just an offset ramp and paint spot on ballast to locate the stop and in this case loco reverse point! 

Currently am considering selling the layout.  It's a NMod module hence the three front main line tracks not two as scale, but the Cromford part is self contained and largely operable hands off. View point is standing in the river! Operating postion could be there but usually up the incline. All electric points. Workshop has full interior. buildings from period pics and site visits.

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22727/Cromford1.jpg

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22727/Cromford3_Web.jpg

[port perran]

I like blindingly simple.
I shall give that a try.
Brilliant layout though by the way.

[EtchedPixels]

Mine are basically the same as Russ uses except I made them out of plasticard. One thing I found helped was to shape the top so that it captures and aligns any recalcitrant couplings. The top instead of being a flat ramp has a central groove that opens out each end. Basically I copied the top pattern off the Fleischmann electric ones.

For small layouts you can also make them operate very simply. Nothing more than a lump of plasticine as a weight on the bottom of the square bit through the board, a string and a loop of wire are needed. The string is secured part way up the rod then goes vertical, over the loop on the underside of the board and horizontally through a small hole in the baseboard edge. You just pull the string gently or firmly as needed. If you let go the plasticine weight ensures it descends.


I ought to try making some out of clear plastic some day. Should work.

Alan

[acko22]

I have got the brass the soldering Iron at the ready and an idea of how to do it.

Lets see if I can now 

If it does they can be masked as AWS ramps or something track fitted!

[PostModN66]

Any chance of a close up photo of that please?

No, sorry, Layout not where it can be erected currently or forseen.  Its blindingly simple though, just an offset ramp and paint spot on ballast to locate the stop and in this case loco reverse point! 

Currently am considering selling the layout.  It's a NMod module hence the three front main line tracks not two as scale, but the Cromford part is self contained and largely operable hands off. View point is standing in the river! Operating postion could be there but usually up the incline. All electric points. Workshop has full interior. buildings from period pics and site visits.

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22727/Cromford1.jpg

http://www.atomic-album.com/showPic.php/22727/Cromford3_Web.jpg

Thanks Dave - that looks really great - instantly identifiable as Cromford!

I had a big argument with my girlfriend in that workshop - now a tea room!

Cheers  Jon 

[acko22]

Happy memories then Jon