Feedback re shunting layout? - Printable Version

+- (https://bigbluetrains.com)
+-- Forum: Mainline (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=17)
+--- Forum: HO Modeling (https://bigbluetrains.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=21)
+--- Thread: Feedback re shunting layout? (/showthread.php?tid=4083)

Pages: 1 2

Feedback re shunting layout? - RobertInOntario - 06-02-2011

I've been tinkering with a small shunting layout off & on for the past year. After trying different layouts & looking at different websites this past spring, I finally made some headway with it. As you can see, I've added some basic scenic backboards, have painted the ground a "gritty" black, but haven't done any ballasting yet.

It's a small British 00 (similar to HO) layout. There are uncoupling ramps placed down the sidings so I can easily uncouple freight cars. It's about 46.5" long by 12" wide.

I thought I'd post some pics here of the layout -- for feedback -- before I start on the ballasting.

Thanks in advance!

   

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - RobertInOntario - 06-02-2011

Here's another pic... R.

   

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - Fluesheet - 06-03-2011

RobertInOntario Wrote:I thought I'd post some pics here of the layout -- for feedback -- before I start on the ballasting.
Thanks in advance!

Hi Rob,

For the space, the track arrangement seems nicely done - not too busy, and all the switch leads appear to have enough space to hold at least two cars (excepting the short spur furthest to the left).

From a visual perspective, the backdrop is nice and would be even better if it was a bit higher so that the eye doesn't see the top edge when focused on the middle of the scene.

A micro layout such as this loves scenic detail - I think it's ready to go.

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - RobertInOntario - 06-03-2011

Fluesheet Wrote:
RobertInOntario Wrote:I thought I'd post some pics here of the layout -- for feedback -- before I start on the ballasting.
Thanks in advance!

Hi Rob,

For the space, the track arrangement seems nicely done - not too busy, and all the switch leads appear to have enough space to hold at least two cars (excepting the short spur furthest to the left).

From a visual perspective, the backdrop is nice and would be even better if it was a bit higher so that the eye doesn't see the top edge when focused on the middle of the scene.

A micro layout such as this loves scenic detail - I think it's ready to go.


Thanks, Matt. Good point about the backdrop. I think I came across some spare panels and simply cut the background image to fit! I could always remove them and add new backdrops in the future, as that's easy to do. I'm not overly pleased with the pictures -- they're OK but something more realistic would be better.

I'll try to start soon then (I've already posted on the "Too-many-projects" thread!) and add lots of scenery & detail since it's a micro.

Cheers,
Rob

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - Russ Bellinis - 06-03-2011

What is the short track to the left closest to the backdrop? It doesn't look like it could connect to anything, and it is too short to be of use. The rest of the layout looks good. I think I would lose that short track in favor of a structure or scenic element. I agree with the comment about the backdrop. If I remember correctly from previous posts that you have made, you are kind of short, so you may not need as much back drop height as the 6 footers and larger guys would. I think making it just above your sight line would be about right.

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - RobertInOntario - 06-03-2011

Russ Bellinis Wrote:What is the short track to the left closest to the backdrop? It doesn't look like it could connect to anything, and it is too short to be of use. The rest of the layout looks good. I think I would lose that short track in favor of a structure or scenic element. I agree with the comment about the backdrop. If I remember correctly from previous posts that you have made, you are kind of short, so you may not need as much back drop height as the 6 footers and larger guys would. I think making it just above your sight line would be about right.


Thanks, Russ! Yes, I think I should get rid of the extra piece of track -- it was intended simply for storing extra locos & freight cars! It would be great to replace it with a scenic element, which I will do. I could add some low-relief buildings there or something.

I'm only about 5-8 or even 5-7, so maybe I don't need to increase the height of the backdrops.



Cheers, Rob

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - ocalicreek - 06-03-2011

Looks like a nice place to shunt some goods wagons! Personally I think it needs an industry or warehouse at either the front or rear siding...implied by a loading dock and maybe a wall in the front, or more easily a building flat in the back.

Vector Cut makes a really neat looking upgrade kit for that tower which may add some distinction to one of the few structure you've got room for.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.vectorcut.com/RR.htm">http://www.vectorcut.com/RR.htm</a><!-- m -->

And don't be too hasty to remove that 'extra' track. Seems a fine place for a water standpipe and a small coal bin to store the engine.

Will it get cinder ballast or something nicer?

Galen

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - RobertInOntario - 06-04-2011

Thanks, Galen. Yes, something more to suggest an industry would be good. I found the loading dock among my Dad's old railway items -- these were leftover things I was almost going to discard. I was really happy when I re-discovered it and found it was perfect for this layout!

Originally, that extra piece of track was to simply be used for storing extra engines, goods cars, etc. I'll leave this to the end of the project & start ballasting elsewhere. I'll see if I can get some low-relief buildings as they might look good there?

Cheers, Rob


ocalicreek Wrote:Looks like a nice place to shunt some goods wagons! Personally I think it needs an industry or warehouse at either the front or rear siding...implied by a loading dock and maybe a wall in the front, or more easily a building flat in the back.

Vector Cut makes a really neat looking upgrade kit for that tower which may add some distinction to one of the few structure you've got room for.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.vectorcut.com/RR.htm">http://www.vectorcut.com/RR.htm</a><!-- m -->

And don't be too hasty to remove that 'extra' track. Seems a fine place for a water standpipe and a small coal bin to store the engine.

Will it get cinder ballast or something nicer?

Galen


Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - RobertInOntario - 06-04-2011

Would it be silly -- or be overkill -- to add point motors to the various turnouts? I realize they are only inches away from the edge of the layout -- so it's easy to switch them, etc. -- but I think it would be cool to use point motors so that there would be no need at all for the "great hand" to come out of the sky!

Thanks again,
Rob

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - ocalicreek - 06-04-2011

Not silly at all, especially if you show point control rods coming from that tower to each of the turnouts. Really, you should check out that switch tower upgrade from vector cut.

Speaking of, there's a company that makes little mechanical levers like you'd find in a switch tower...if I come across the link I'll let you know. But that's an actual mechanical connection and I'm not sure about how you'd link it to the turnout other than something home brewed, or using a bullfrog or blue point which would probably bring the cost up comparable to an electromechanical unit like a tortoise.

Galen

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - steinjr - 06-05-2011

ocalicreek Wrote:Speaking of, there's a company that makes little mechanical levers like you'd find in a switch tower...if I come across the link I'll let you know. But that's an actual mechanical connection and I'm not sure about how you'd link it to the turnout other than something home brewed, or using a bullfrog or blue point which would probably bring the cost up comparable to an electromechanical unit like a tortoise.

Are you thinking about Humpyard Purveyance (http://www.humpyard.com/) ?

Smile,
Stein

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - MasonJar - 06-05-2011

RobertInOntario Wrote:Would it be silly -- or be overkill -- to add point motors to the various turnouts? I realize they are only inches away from the edge of the layout -- so it's easy to switch them, etc. -- but I think it would be cool to use point motors so that there would be no need at all for the "great hand" to come out of the sky!

Thanks again,
Rob

Not silly or overkill... But one friend does not add them because he feels that since the switches would be thrown by hand in the real world, throwing the model ones by hand is actually more like the real thing.

Your railway - your choice. Wink

Andrew

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - RobertInOntario - 06-05-2011

MasonJar Wrote:
RobertInOntario Wrote:Would it be silly -- or be overkill -- to add point motors to the various turnouts? I realize they are only inches away from the edge of the layout -- so it's easy to switch them, etc. -- but I think it would be cool to use point motors so that there would be no need at all for the "great hand" to come out of the sky!

Thanks again,
Rob
Not silly or overkill... But one friend does not add them because he feels that since the switches would be thrown by hand in the real world, throwing the model ones by hand is actually more like the real thing.
Your railway - your choice. Wink
Andrew


Thanks, Andrew -- good point!

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - BR60103 - 06-05-2011

Robert: you might look at the mechanisms made by FastTracks (Bullfrog) and (somebody Blue). These are push--pull devices with a knob at the side of the layout.
They also have switches for frog power and stuff.

Re: Feedback re shunting layout? - Fluesheet - 06-05-2011

BR60103 Wrote:Robert: you might look at the mechanisms made by FastTracks (Bullfrog) and (somebody Blue). These are push--pull devices with a knob at the side of the layout.
They also have switches for frog power and stuff.

Bluepoint Turnout Controllers.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.newrailmodels.com/BluePoint.htm">http://www.newrailmodels.com/BluePoint.htm</a><!-- m -->

I experimented with both these and the Bullfrogs for my shelf layout. Go about half way down on this page:

<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=2965&start=15">viewtopic.php?f=46&t=2965&start=15</a><!-- l -->