GWR Branch Terminus Journey

[LittleWestern]

@LittleWestern

Hi James,

Phil was referring to prototype locomotives. 00 gauge models will go round very much sharper curves, down to train-set sizes if you are sticking with 00-BF.

Martin.

I understood that Thanks for the clarification. Honestly I'm set to go with 00-SF moving forward. But we will see!

 

[LittleWestern]

I wouldn't worry about the route classification too much. As ever there is a prototype for everything. For instance the single line to Kingswear was rated to take Castles and I think Kings. It all depends on the construction of the line.

See this is what I like to hear, hearing some say 'no that would never work on that size board' almost talked me out of going for a good deal of realism.

Thanks,

James

 

[John Lewis]

James,

1 in 7 crossings and 12 ft switches is perfectly adequate for a branchline loco release. At Cranmore on the ESR the shed crossover has those turnouts and they were regularly used by std class 4, 4-6-0 & 9f, also a visiting Castle, H15 and a west country. The only loco that caused us any problems was a 56xx.

Interesting!
A GWR Circular of 1943 of which I have a photocopy, says the minimum radius for a 5600 is 5 chains, or 4½ "Slow speed", whereas for a "Castle" the figures are 8 chains and 7 chains respectively.

John

 

[Phil O]

Hi John,

We thought that, too! Weight distribution may have played a part, but the 56xx has gone now, so no longer a problem.

 

[LittleWestern]

So a small update to the layout on my side:
- Chairs for branch and siding track has been sourced, those for switch rails (2 bolt heels) have also been sourced, I will have to bodge for certain chairs and likely use REA check rail chairs where need be. But I am still researching this.
- I took the time to create a small industrial yard that will hopefully extend from the BLT in future but for now allows me to practice my track laying etc.. 1100mmx300mm
- I've decided to use OldType GWR 10ft turnouts at 1:5.5. and it's allowed me to get the correct dimensions for usabilty in the aviable shelf space.
- To save on space I've used a 3-way Double Tandem turnout, not sure if it is correct so thought I would drop it here and feel free to critise away! It's still possible I will leave it as a standard crossing and add another turnout in the gap between.

- Other than that, some books have been ordered, chairs, rails and gauges for building are ready to order and I'm ready to get stuck in.
- Having this first project "as realistic as possible" is not the end goal as it's mostly a chance to practice building. I can always redesign it later for a more realistic trackplan.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and thanks for all your previous help!
James - LWR

 

[Hayfield]

James

If you are using 3 bolt chairs, then there are a whole array of normal and special chairs, for GWR 2 bolt the special chairs can still be used, sometimes by modifying them with 2 bolt inner and outers

C&L

As well as standard and slide chairs their new sprues include both bridge and joint chairs in both 2 bolt and 3 bolt

Exactoscale

The standard L1 and M1 chairs are available E4CH 201A / 203A

Additional switch chairs E4CH 501A
Common crossing chairs E4CH 502A
0.8 Check chairs 4CH 403A

For the 3 way you may have to choose chairs by eye, might even be worth buying a packet of obtuse chairs 4CH 503A for the odd part

Look at the track parts/position pages
https://exactoscale.com/track-components/chair-positions/

These chairs were designed for the old P4 company turnout kits, some positions like the PL2 position have to be altered as designed around the kits. Plus they are for 3 bolt, but modifications can be done

Modelu

3D printed 2 bolt slide chairs

 

[Stephen Freeman]

Unlike most others , the GWR checkrail chairs were also 2 bolt.

 

[Hayfield]

Unlike most others , the GWR checkrail chairs were also 2 bolt.

As I said it may well be a case of using parts from standard chairs and special chairs, if plastic timbers are used then once set half chairs are welded in place

 

[LittleWestern]

@Hayfield
This was going to be my approach, using 3bolt specials and modifying them. C&L is where I will be buying these 2bolt sprues in bulk (for future projects also)
Thanks for the additional information I will take a look into that as well
Actually, the plan is to use 1.6mm thick ply sheets and cut sleepers out and glue chairs in place. any special chairs I'm sure I can get 3 bolt varients to actually hold rails in place correctly and doctor 2bolt outers and inners in place.

Cheers,

James - LWR

 

[Tony W]

Hi James.
Looking at your track plan, your run round loop is very short.
Before you commit to building anything, it would be a good idea to print out your track plan and place the stock on it to check what you want to do is possible and there is sufficient passing clearance. The facility to do this using the dummy vehicle function is also built into Templot if you know the rolling stock dimensions.
Regards
Tony.

 

[LittleWestern]

Hi James.
Looking at your track plan, your run round loop is very short.
Before you commit to building anything, it would be a good idea to print out your track plan and place the stock on it to check what you want to do is possible and there is sufficient passing clearance. The facility to do this using the dummy vehicle function is also built into Templot if you know the rolling stock dimensions.
Regards
Tony.

Hi @Tony W
This is exactly what I have done for the Industrial sidings and thus far placing my rolling stock and shunter locomotives in-situ and recreating some maneuvers/marking up clearances on each turnout, it seems to be sufficient for what I had planned as it is a micro-layout. I worked out I can fit a rake of 4 Coal/Clay/Oil wagons, in both the straight delivery siding and the run around (I used Ratio Kit Built GWR 5planks and 12ton vans as a measurement) to deliver then shunt, etc which in this space is possible and a challenge.
I will do some tweaking of the track plan after some other considerations and will try to use the Templot Feature moving forward.

Since my space is limited to 1100mm x 300mm, this current setup seems to be the only possible configuration. Considering I have to think about where the entrance to this micro layout is in relation to the BLT I am planning/researching for the future.
Thank you for your consideration.

James - LWR