platform clearance locomotives.

Moria · May 04, 2015, 05:03:36 PM

Hey all...

so this weekend, I was happily playing.. er testing my layout when it all came to a grinding stop as a new loco hit my platform edge.

So after an appropriate amount of swearing and cussing and beer drinking and thoughtful contemplation, I decided I had to rebuild my platforms.

If I am going to do this, what recommendations would you all have as to the widest clearance to allow for... is it an outside framed 08, or a Dapol 9F, or something else... The one I hit with is a Farish Princess Coronation

Regards

Graham

daveg · May 04, 2015, 05:38:12 PM

Believe the 08 is commonly used as the 'clearance template' for platforms.

Dave G

port perran · May 04, 2015, 05:45:52 PM

The outside framed 08 is the usual preferred platform tester.

Dorsetmike · May 04, 2015, 06:01:19 PM

Main problem for me is the cylinders on the Langley S15 kits on Fleischmann chassis.

silly moo · May 04, 2015, 06:08:24 PM

The Minitrix 9F is quite wide too

Moria · May 04, 2015, 06:22:36 PM

Many thanks all.. I'll dig up an outside framed 08 and use that as the final setting values

Regards

Graham

steve836 · May 05, 2015, 11:09:13 AM

Be careful, the 08 is a short wheelbase loco and if your platforms are on a curve you will need to allow more clearance as a loco with bogies or pony trucks needs more clearance on a curve. When building platforms I cut a piece of paper to fit the curve and then hold a pencil against a coach, at the end for a curve with the platform outside the track and near the middle where the track is outside the platform. This draws a line which is where the platform edge should be.

Dorsetmike · May 05, 2015, 11:46:01 AM

Quote from: steve836 on May 05, 2015, 11:09:13 AM
Be careful, the 08 is a short wheelbase loco and if your platforms are on a curve you will need to allow more clearance as a loco with bogies or pony trucks needs more clearance on a curve. When building platforms I cut a piece of paper to fit the curve and then hold a pencil against a coach, at the end for a curve with the platform outside the track and near the middle where the track is outside the platform. This draws a line which is where the platform edge should be.

That method is fine for coaches and most locos, but there are cases where things like cylinders on steamers are wider than coaches, if you know or suspect that is likely to be a problem then wind some card or thick tape round the pencil or use a pen or marker with a larger diameter barrel to allow for the extra clearance needed.