Cutting out the second tier

[andruec]

Today I could put it off no longer. Although my incline is not complete I'm awaiting a few things so with the fine weather I decided it was time to cut out my second tier (I don't have a workshop so I have to use the rear garden). This was always going to be complicated:



The second tier carries the two sets of sidings and the curves that connect them to my central incline. As you can see it hides some track, but exposes other bits. Clearly I can't cut it in situ so careful measurement and planning was the order of the day. The second tier baseboard is not as wide as the main baseboard so every measurement had to be taken from a centre line. This is also only the second time I've wielded a jigsaw.

Somewhat to my surprise the result has come out quite well. There's still a bit of trimming to do but I've decided that it's time to down tools and enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon.



Here you can see where there is some additional trimming required. The track that disappears at the left will actually be exposed until the straight edge you can see on the right (that will be a tunnel mouth). At the top you can see some more track coming into view and I might yet have to trim a bit on the left. Also the mouth could be made wider which will allow me to have a larger quarry.



Here you see the cutout for Wilf's Junction. The spur on the right needs cutting back as the outer loop remains clear.

What you don't see (buwahahaha) is the diamond crossing that makes the inner loop a figure of eight

All in all a productive Sunday morning's work I think.

[Mountain Goat]

There are some interesting plans and construction going on there.

[andruec]

Thanks, and it might be about to get more interesting. I have a bit of a problem on the curves beyond Wilf's junction. There isn't really enough room for tunnel mouths and/or embankments for the double track. Also the existing tunnel is very short and it seems more likely engineers would just remove the outcrop of rock. So it occurs to me that perhaps I could cover over the entire corner. Basically all you'd see would be the top-most curve. There's enough space beyond the corner (where you can see a slip joining the inner loop and the outer loop starts its climb) for two tunnel mouths. One would sit over the top of the turnout such that the switch is exposed but it's still single track, the other would sit over the outer loop. The tracks are probably too far apart for a double entrance but two singles fits perfectly.

The only issue with this plan is the entrance at the exit of the junction as this needs a triple tunnel mouth. I'm aware that's an unlikely construct but I have already a downloaded plan for a concrete bridge for another area so I'm thinking that I could extend that to cover all three tracks and use it as a concrete tunnel mouth.

It's a bit more work but it means less curved track to ballast and does give quite a nice large area for some scenery (an L shape 340mm by 460mm, with 140mm deep arms).

[andruec]

I mocked out the sidings last night and have also cut out some polystyrene for the new corner piece for consideration. The baseboard never was long or wide enough so it's mostly an extension rather than having to 'uncut'.

[Ninemil]

I'd agree that that's a productive Sunday morning's work, well done there. Sounds like not the easiest circumstances to have to cut boards and all (in the garden) at the mercy of the weather.

I like the layout design too, especially the sidings. Looking forward to seeing the next developments.

[andruec]

Thanks. On the plus side it got me plenty of exercise

Having to drag a large sheet of plywood up and down stairs and out to the garden twice was probably why I only did a morning's work. I'm going to have to drag it back downstairs this weekend for its trim. I've then got the fun of raising it while not disturbing the central lines. I've got them joined now. They aren't reachable in situ (as others warned me) so I assembled the curves and streamline offline then soldered the fishplates. That way I only had to attach the curve back and attaching two set track curves is pretty easy.

But after its trim I have to lift it into its final position then join the central lines. It's going to be a bit 'scary' but once done I'm track complete. Yay!

[yelrow]

Soldered fishplates, make no allowance for expansion, and have been known to buckle rails. If they are in a place not easily reached, this makes for a difficult repair. Just my view, having learnt from bitter experience. I did this with my first DCC layout, and had to relay track.

[Walkingthedog]

Oh dear as Yelrow says you should never solder the fishplates, huge mistake. The rails must be allowed to expand and contract. I once soldered each end of a yard of flexi and on a hot day it looked like a letter S. I can guarantee you will regret it.

[andruec]

Oh, thank you both for the warning. It's only two joins (well, two joins on each run). The track won't be fixed other than at the ends(*) so it can buckle a bit if it needs to. Also the layout is in my spare bedroom so temperature variations shouldn't be too bad. I will try and ensure there is a good gap at the top to accommodate expansion - that join is far enough from the edge that it should be safe and trains are not expected to be driven at high speed into a set of sidings.

Anyway I'm more likely to be playing golf during the summer so as long as it doesn't actually tear itself apart it won't matter

(*)Yeah, I admit it. It's too far to reach to do any work on it but at least it means I can remove the incline if/when I want to move the whole thing.

[yelrow]

i think you are missing the point. It wont buckle, maintaining its diameter. It is certain to cause a derailment, in a place you cant reach. Sorting it while you can, is the way ahead.