Today I finished the basic frame, tomorrow the ply top.
The duck-under track base is 300 mm wide and all the other arms are 600 mm. At this stage the aisle space is adequate but the duck-under could prove to be a pain in the butt, back, neck & head.
As I’m not intending to run huge long ore trains like we have in Western Australia (2 km / 1.2 miles long), just short country trains, I’m hoping this setup will prove to work. I’ve got to start somewhere and from what I’ve been reading, readers are on their 3rd or 4th layout. Can’t wait.
That looks like a really nice start, but I think you should consider making that entrance a swing gate some how, before you add the plywood. You will be glad you did, a few years from now
While trying NOT to be Mr Negativity, and slowing progress, I would suggest incorporating a hinged drawbridge or similar arrangement ASAP, having worked on other peoples layouts with duck-unders, and even with a thick skull, it becomes very tiresome quickly, plus did I mention the knees??!! [:'(]
Also as a perhaps unnecessary aside I did personally like Paulas Jas last track plan, but figure that you"ve already got it sussed.
i know you will think differently, still a few remarks.
You started the other thread just two days ago on 01-10-2012, way to long for you to respond to the few guy’s wanting to help you. A forum is not only for asking, a conversation needs two.
Better change your benchwork before you start adding plywood. Your aisles are way to narrow, while your planned tracks won’t suffer, and a lift-out or swin-gate would help a lot preventing future headaches and kneepains.
Thanks Bear and yes, even after 4 hours, I found the fixed duck-under very painful. Tomorrow I become un-hinged (or is that hinged?).
I also liked the Paulas Jas layout. The reason my plan is so straight up & down so to speak, I used the AnyRail software and used the Peco Set Track code 100 library because it’s easy to pick & put down pieces in the design process. Using Flextrack is a bit more tricky.
My local hobby shop has convinced me to use Peco Code 83 flex track which I think will give me the smooth flowing lines & angles of the suggested layout.
How do you run a bus (electrical not passenger) under & through a hinged duck-under?
If you’re running just one of each positive and negative bus wires I would be tempted to connect ,(solder) each wire to a pad bolt, ( slide lock), not sure I"m using the right terminology? This would not only give you a good connection but also sort out , once adjusted, any track alignment problems at the non hinged end. My apologies if I am as clear as mud!!
A see a greater than 50% chance that your hip(s) will catch a corner of the pensinsula quite frequently, if not it’s sides when you turn and change direction. Remember, while the swing gate is helpful when entering and exiting, it will be in the down position when operating.
Since any sideways motion will cause you to bump the layout, you might want to set aside some money for ballet slippers. You may need to do pirouettes when turning.[:D]
