Hi, I am just starting model railroading and have built a framework for a basically oval layout measuring approximately 17 ft by 10 ft. To gain access to the middle, I have built a drop down flap. I would appreciate some advice as to how I lay track across this flap to ensure that the connecting rails are level and won’t derail the train? I am planning to have 4 rails across the flap.
My other question is how do you wire a ladder for a freight yard and do you have to isolate every set of turnouts?
Your advice and tips would be greatley appreciated.
I have never personally built a drop down access section. but based on articles I have read regarding them you just need to constuct them with some type of alignment system that will guarantee alignment of the tracks when in position. Also most peope wire in some sort of electrical safety system so that when the “bridge” is open it kills the power to mayb 2-3 feet of the tracks leading to the opening to prevent a mishap
As far as wiring the ladder, you didn’t say if you were going to use DC or DCC
If DCC, in most cases no isolation or special wiring is needed.
If DC, the turnouts do not need to be isolated & neither do the separate legs of the ladder unless you intend to “park” a locomotive in there, then you would need to isolate the legs from the ladder so that you can turn power of to the individual legs
What happens if something derails ON the flap? How are you going to reach it? Is there no way to move the hole (or holes) to someplace where there aren’t tracks? (I will assume that desigining a layout that isn’t a 17x10 table is out of the question).
I read his original post to mean that he has built an oval shaped layout that is hollow in the center (not a solid table) and wants to build a drop down section at some point in the benchwork so that he can drop it down & walk through, rather than having to crawl under the benchwork to gain access to the center of the oval.
if there is a derailment on the drop down section, it would be taken care of like a derailment would be any other place on the layout
I use a swing gate. Others use drop down or lift up gates.
What is important is that it have a support and latch system that insures it is always in the exact same position, both vertically and horizontally, every time it is closed. When you have achieved that, then you can lay track solidly affixed across the joint and cut it after installation.
I read the post to say that he wanted an access flap so to me the table is solid and the flap is a way to access the middle. will be interesting to see how he ends up doing it. Moving the flap is the easyest, flap would have to have a centering position of some sort. Question of derailments on the flap is a valid one.
Thank you for the information. I have ensured that the drop down flap comes back to the same position. However, your tip to lay solid track and then cut it at the flap edges is what I needed to hear.
If you can swing it, it may be a good idea to offset the cuts in the rail and put guardrails at each cut. Remember, not only do the rails need to line-up side to side, but also up and down, and putting a bit of a bevel on the ends of the rails might (will) help keep the wheels from climbing the rails.