Sandy Hills The new layout

[sandy]

At last after having to wait 2 weeks getting track and other stuff togeather I have got the embankment and bridge complete and tested it with some trains . Even old kings tender drive locos can pull up to 5 coaches up the slopes. I am happy with that.

[Walkingthedog]

Brilliant. Gradient looks nice and gentle.

[sandy]

Thanks WTD ..Will be bulding the main line station next. Will post pictures when something is built.

[Mountain Goat]

Looks good.

Both the old Hornby and the Lima tender drive kings were great pullers in their day and could easily manage 10 coach trains on level track. If they don't pull well replace their traction tyres. My only gripe with them is tender drive just did not look right, especially when on occasions their loco drive wheels would lock if not 100% free running.
But they did pull well.

[sandy]

This is the King that I used to test the incline. 6018 Henry V1.

[Walkingthedog]

Beautiful condition.

[Andy_C]

Hi Sandy,

I’m a newbie to here, and was surfing when I found your layout. I may have missed it, but could you please tell me you board dimensions, please?

I’m just starting to look at perspectives, scales and what I’m intending to model.

I was also very interested in the hinged bit and how you had got on with doing it.

My intended room will be around 9ft by 8.5ft.

Thanks,

Andy.

Edit: 9x9 spotted
,

[Dave S]

I would add a lesson I learnt the hard way regarding tracks crossing a joint at an angle.
I found that cutting the rails with a dremel, square to the board joint, would occasionally cause derailments. I t took a while to realise that certain angles of cut left the cut 'open' to the wheel flange, with the result that they would act much like the frog on a set of points.
But by cutting the rail at an oblique angle so that the long edge of the cut pointed in the direction of travel of the stock, any derailments were eliminated.


In this quick sketch the red line is the cut in the rail so the long edge protects the gap from the wheel flange. Imagine now the cut is along the thin black line and you can see the gap is open to the flange.

Steve: That's useful to me. I'm in design stage and idly thought this morning my 45 degree rail angle shouldn't be any different to to square on, so cut in your diagram noted.
If i had problem I think I'd also try a check rail on the inside. Coach bogeys only have short wheel base, so would be inclined to test with longest loco where wheels are pushing limits of curvature.

Sandy: Have you used anyrail software?
Free to use for <50 objects (and can sectionalise projects to save bigger layout).
The design tool has libraries for track m/f, sub-set and and guage.
I'm using Peco streamline 100, so gives you a better sense in planning stage where tight spots will be for curvature, multiple point interchanges etc.
Only started with it 2 weeks ago and I've found it bug free and better than many pro design tools I've used (for non railway stuff).

I note on the flap you raised the hinges to stop rail binding on itself. I was only commenting on another thread this morning that could be an issue as others I've seen don't bother, so intriguing to see you have done so too.
Yes, I too found it a bit of an eyesore, but never got round to hiding it with trackside architecture.

Andy C. Yes, you Newbie. Howdy. I'm a newbie to the forum too.
See my anyrail comment - it also has samples to use and you define your layout size in your project. Fun to use and likely saves times from errors.
I keep finding fault with mine and has eveolved much over 2 weeks. To do it on floor wouldn't have the same flow.

[sandy]

You can get very thin cuttung discs for the dremel. I use those for cutting track. You have to be careful with them as they are brittle and easy to shatter if you are heavey handed with them.I broke one or two when I started using them. Gently does it. You will need the flexible drive as well to do best job. Aso take the sharp edge off the pointed rail cut in the same way you do on a turn table with a fine file..

[Dave S]

I used to have a generic dremel like tool but it had no guts, so gave it away.
I was thinking of getting a proper dremel for track cutting but spotted track cutters on a youtube video.
Googling I found these. I assume its the ite.
You wouldn't expect it to give a clean cut but literally says "clean square".
Anyone with hands on experience of them?
https://www.heamar.co.uk/cutters/41773- ... 1kQAvD_BwE