I've been slowly working on adding a turntable to my switching layout (<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5647">viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5647</a><!-- l -->). This addition to my layout is beginning to come along. I was thinking of adding just 3 tracks.
Is it prototypical to have a couple curved sidings (where the locos would be stored or "parked")? I'm trying to keep the layout as narrow as possible, and using the curved sidings would help it to take up less space (i.e. width).
Thanks,
Rob
Yes. Railroads do have limited space sometimes, so will do what is needed to fit the facilities they need. Watch your clearances and build away.
There is a great picture in one of Ian Wison's books showing a track barely skirting the edge of a turntable. There are signs warning that the track must be left cler to allow engines to overhang the tt bridge. Not exactly the same, but shows what can happen when there's limited space.
Andrew
MasonJar Wrote:Yes. Railroads do have limited space sometimes, so will do what is needed to fit the facilities they need. Watch your clearances and build away.
There is a great picture in one of Ian Wison's books showing a track barely skirting the edge of a turntable. There are signs warning that the track must be left cler to allow engines to overhang the tt bridge. Not exactly the same, but shows what can happen when there's limited space.
Andrew
Thanks, Andrew. I thought as much but just wanted to check. Of course, I could have always consulted a few pics! We (my son & I) made some headway on this project today. I'll try to post some pics soon.
Cheers,
Rob,For what its worth some of the older urban "concrete canyon" industrial areas could be very tight that's why small steam and diesel switchers was used.It was not uncommon to see "Warning! Close Clearance!" signs as the track weaved its way around those old industrial structures..
As a side note you'll not find a turntable or yard in those tight industrial areas simply because there was no space to spare.
The diesel was simply parked,shutdown and the cab doors locked-usually by a chain and switch lock-while the steam engine would run light back to the yard for servicing.
Rob,
Another place you might see curved tracks is beside the roundhouse - i.e. "garden" tracks. While the indoor tracks radiate from the centre of the turntable for a conventional roundhouse (e.g. 10* spacing - I think the Atlas one is 15*), garden tracks might curve off the turntable so they end up parallel to the wall of the roundhouse.
Andrew
Rob:
Check for old photos of CN's Spadina roundhouse. They certainly crammed everything in there -- a reverse loop around the back wall of the roundhouse and a coach yard in the V at the front.
MasonJar Wrote:Rob,
Another place you might see curved tracks is beside the roundhouse - i.e. "garden" tracks. While the indoor tracks radiate from the centre of the turntable for a conventional roundhouse (e.g. 10* spacing - I think the Atlas one is 15*), garden tracks might curve off the turntable so they end up parallel to the wall of the roundhouse.
Andrew
Thx, Andrew. That's basically what I've done. The tracks coming off the TT are ending up parallel. It would be great if I could find an engine shed for 3 locos that I could use. I'll try to post some pics at some point. My son is working with me on this project so it's taking longer!
BR60103 Wrote:Rob:
Check for old photos of CN's Spadina roundhouse. They certainly crammed everything in there -- a reverse loop around the back wall of the roundhouse and a coach yard in the V at the front.
Thx, David. I'm also looking for some British pics as well since this is to be an S&DJR- or GWR-based layout.
Rob:
Old Hornby Dublo books show the turntable going to a straight engine shed, with curves in the tracks to make them all parallel.
Other than that, British roundhouses with a turntable outside are scarce (but not unknown). The common version is a straight engine shed fed by switches with a separate turntable purely for tuning locos (and single-ended observation cars). Roundhouses with turntables tended to have the turntable inside, like York museum. I'll see what other examples I have.
The engine shed in the Thomas TV show is very unusual.
BR60103 Wrote:Rob:
Old Hornby Dublo books show the turntable going to a straight engine shed, with curves in the tracks to make them all parallel.
Other than that, British roundhouses with a turntable outside are scarce (but not unknown). The common version is a straight engine shed fed by switches with a separate turntable purely for tuning locos (and single-ended observation cars). Roundhouses with turntables tended to have the turntable inside, like York museum. I'll see what other examples I have.
The engine shed in the Thomas TV show is very unusual.
This sounds great -- thanks! We visited the West Somerset Railway in 2009 and they have a turntable there -- I probably have some pics of it, IIRC -- I just have to dig them up. Otherwise, I'll google it. Cheers, Rob