All change.... new start

[jerseycentraluk]

Layout update from February / March

The plan has been reconfigured slightly to accommodate a service road and grade crossing, so much a part of this type of industrial setting. The previous LPG unloading point has been replaced by a small spur for unloading cement.


As it is on a curve I thought that 2 or 3 small covered hoppers would look better than one long tank car. Also there is no need to build any unloading facilities for this traffic (always a concern when it is so close to the edge), just simply drive a trailer alongside to load the cement.



The staging area has been completed. I used a Peco code 75 Asymmetric 3-way point to feed the 3 track staging yard. The yard shelf has to be removable as previously explained, the room is our guest bedroom. Short sections of track are used to bridge the gaps between the three tracks and the turnout using sliding rail joiners. These bridge tracks also carry power to the staging. I used Caboose Industries ground throws with integral electrical switching to switch the points and to power the complicated frog arrangement on this turnout. To help identify which track is set, I have used LED’s wired to the ends of the track and set into the end plate to provide a visual reminder.



Taking on board advice from friends and from forum members on here I decided to only detail the trackwork that is close to the viewer.

I used Proto87 detail parts for this. I didn’t like the appearance of the etched frog detailing parts on the trial turnout (below left), so instead I used the more pronounced detail on the plastic sprue which I like better (whether it looks prototypical or not?)



It was also necessary to grasp the nettle and attempt to splice together two of the wonderful Fast-Tracks turnouts and a crossing to make the trackwork for the spurs to the scrap metal loading and the, as yet, un-named ‘manufacturing’ business along the wall.

This worked well and the resulting trackwork has been detailed and painted ready for laying in position. I have added some extra detail to the frogs of the diamond crossing. This has not followed any specific prototype photos but more a general feeling for the large amounts of bolts and nuts and reinforcing castings that seem to be a part of many of these sorts of crossings.



All the rest of the turnouts close to the viewer have been detailed also and painted. The only thing left to do now is to splice together two crossings and three turnouts to make the complicated trackwork where the route to the peninsula crosses the two tracks to the distribution warehouse. This has been more complex and I have made a start, but it has involved not just cutting to size but unsoldering track from painted copperclad ties and then replacing wooden ties with copperclad in some areas. Work is progressing but it has involved a lot of head scratching. Thankfully once it is done I will be able to move on to lifting the temporary trackwork and replacing it with the higher standard track and turnouts.