Project 20 - 0 Gauge Layout - Part 6

Turnouts that are to be tarmacked over have a solid plywood base instead of individual sleepers. To lay the rails in the correct place I traced the rails of a Peco template using pencil and baking parchment; turned over the parchment and pencilled over the rails, which leaves rail marks on the plywood. This one is a Y style so orientation is not an issue as it is symmetrical.

Brass plates were soldered to the rails and then superglued to the plywood. Sometimes the glue would break free due to stress. I discovered that applying a hot soldering iron to a plate for a few seconds affects the glue in such a way that it bonds even stronger than before! This does give rise to a plume of superglue smoke that causes severe stinging of eyes and nose. This is not a method to adopt unless a mask is worn and the head kept away from the plume.

There is a second rail running alongside the running rails throughout. This is an edging barrier for the tarmac and also serves as a guard rail at the frog end. This second rail is 3D printed plastic for economy.

The stretcher bar and switch control area are treated with normal sleepers and between the switch blades here will be a 'wooden' platform instead of tarmac. This will be removable for maintenance.


To Part 1.

Project 20 - 0 Gauge Layout - Part 5

The layout will be analogue powered (DC). I intend to use a cassette system in the fiddle yard and power for the entire layout will connect to the rail ends within a cassette by means of crocodile clips.

When a cassette is brought into play power is conveyed to the scenic tracks via copper wire plungers and connecting rings, as shown in the photo for a 00 gauge layout. I have used this method successfully on two layouts thus far.

I am not using rail joiners for electrical connectivity of track in the scenic area. Each turnout and straight track section will be wired to a bus bar beneath the baseboard. Hence everything is live except some sidings will have isolation switches so that a locomotive can be held whilst another is run.

This photo shows the bus bar made from two lengths of 13 amp copper wire for feed and return. The wire being stripped from insulated cable. They are held in place with 3D printed straps glued to the baseboard underside.

Inter board feed and return connection will be via the metal joining hinges, obviating the need for plug, socket and cable between the boards.

To Part 6.

To Part 1. 

February Website Cover

A bit of a disaster in the railway room

Imagine my dismay at the site of devastation that greeted me upon entering the railway room. The picture hook holding a large glass fronted poster had pulled itself out of the plaster board wall causing the poster to drop and fall forward onto Misterton Station. The glass shattered into a multitude of small and large fragments.

It is as though an earthquake had hit the station.

• The station building slid forward off its footings.
• The signal box suffered a crushed chimney.
• A telegraph pole and two platform lampposts broke into pieces.
• The porters sack trolley broke in two.
• A number of passengers standing on the platforms dropped dead from shock
• One passenger was thrown into the cavernous ground near Hewish Sidings.
• The Station Master jumped 150 scale yards landing in the railway head shunt near east field.
• A section of platform railings took flight and has not been found to date. 
• Platform benches and a calf float thrown about.
• A one plank wagon carrying an invalid car derailed and the car dismounted.
• A number of cars in the car park were moved. 
• The Station Master's garden tree was crushed, his shed and concrete fence dislodged from their foundations.
• A passenger coach and a kitchen/buffet coach waiting in the platform overturned. The later lost both bogie side frames and its wheel sets dropped out.

No, this is not the scene on this months website cover. What we see is the scene restored and repaired after the earthquake. 

View the cover here.