[Blackcloud Railways]

Would it be possible to stretch the rr loop by punching a hole in the sky at the far end of the layout to allow the loco headshunt to disappear behind the trees or even extending the loop into the trees and onto a short off stage sector plate?
_________________
Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.

[Simon Hargraves]

This response is actually to your latest blog post about "Winkford"; for some reason it wouldn't let me answer so I've put it on here:
FWIW I think I would go for a loop and a siding over an Inglenook; you'll be able to run a greater variety of stock.
If you want to add operational interest, how about a cattle dock up by the headshunt? The plan would then be pretty similar to Martin Brent's original "Arcadia" which was a lovely little layout.
Be interested to see what you come up with,
Regards,
Simon H
_________________
Simon Hargraves
Easily distracted? Me? Oh Yes!

[mog]

Thanks All. I agree with all of you!

If I follow my 'gut' - I'd go for the loop and some passenger facility. However, I also agree with Colin for the same reasons.

Looks like I may have to shuffle things around again.

One restriction I was giving myself was to use the three points and track that I have to hand. But now I'm starting to consider hand-laying track and using some smaller points.

Bob - probably but I'd rather not start hacking at the wood work if i can avoid it.
_________________
Martin Hogg

Mogtrains2 at:
http://mogtrains.blogspot.com/
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKcRvdN719g66eDzc2iUN1w

[Blackcloud Railways]

If you introduce a slight gradient on the main and the loop this would mean that the sector plate could sit on top of the existing baseboard rather than being let into it. It would also introduce a height differential between the main and the siding in the yard.

If your stock is free rolling enough for the gradient to cause problems a simple rod that lifts up between the rails to catch an axle would work as a brake.
_________________
Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.

[giles b]

[Blackcloud Railways]

I wasn't, but now you mention it an Inglenook with the approach track on a falling gradient would allow for gravity run-round. Stop short of the sidings, uncouple the loco then allow the train to run into the yard, something akin to one of the versions of the Craig and Mertonford IIRC. This would mean that passenger trains could also be run because there would be no need for propelling the trains onto the layout.

I do wish you would stop making suggestions like this Giles.
_________________
Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.

[giles b]

I think passenger trains ran round by gravity at Eyemouth (and probably some other places too - including Canterbury Road on the East Kent Railway). At Eyemouth the train stopped at the platform for passengers to disembark, then reversed back up the hill to leave the coaches there with the brakes on. The engine then retreated to a siding in the yard so that the coaches could coast down and be stopped by the guard at the platform.

On a similar note I saw a layout at a show recently where they gravity shunted empty coaches from the sidings into the platform. This was based on Penzance where apparently this used to happen. Don't know how it worked in N gauge, but I suspect a motorised bogie in the van of the coaches,

[Blackcloud Railways]

The Leicester North layout at Manchester show last year had loose vans running out of the goods shed into the yard, as if representing horse or pinchbar shunting. Not sure if it was done with magnets or if the vans were motorised but it looked good.
_________________
Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.