New Sandling Junction Build Ep 6 Track Work - Figure of 8 - Having Fun

New Sandling Junction Build Ep 6 Track Work - Figure of 8 - Having Fun
Well not too much has happened, except I bit the bullet and overcame my fears on the first incline ad had some fun.

[@going2thedogs]

Well done Paul. Progress is being made. Enjoy the journey.

[@Sandlingjunction]

Many thanks and yes I am having fun, cheers P

[@barryturner2916]

First loop of many Paul, have you thought about `banking` (raising the outer rail) the track on tight curves. Many thanks for sharing your progress and good to see trains running. Regards Barry. 👍

[@Sandlingjunction]

Hi, Barry, yes I banked long curves on the original Sandling Junction and plan some in this build. Though not here where it is non-scenic, cheers P

[@jt5081]

Thanks Paul your face said it all beaming with pride. Next step I am looking forward to thanks

[@Sandlingjunction]

Thanks as always John, cheers P

[@haydnwheeler583]

What was the point of planning the track out if you are going to tweak the curve’s. You seem to be making hard work of laying track that has been planned out. Does this mean that all the track plan books are pointless if you have to adjust it. I want to build in a a very confined space, was using peco track plan, but now I’m thinking just lay the track and make it fit.

[@Sandlingjunction]

With all the will in the world what space you have and what track planner books, or software is available, some degree of compromise is always required when you come to lay track for real. Newer ideas evolve and subtle tweaks are made. Nothing is so absolute that change cannot be considered, cheers P

[@WHRBERT]

Have you ever stuck completely to a track plan you have made while laying the track? I know I haven't, better ideas and suggestions always come up!

[@FredWilbury]

Yep don’t use a track plan just wing it worked for me, well almost but I’m happy 😂

[@WHRBERT]

I usually have an idea in my head when I start which I change along the way! ​@@FredWilbury

[@fladder1]

I've made a plan with software, and even though I think I've measured everything out very carefully when laying the track, it doesn't exactly turn out as it looks in the plan. Personally I blame this both on myself (measuring errors) and the software (which might not have the rail geometry entirely right). So even though it's close, it's not an exact match. Basically the difference between theory and practice.

[@rayshowsay1749]

Using easements on curves is always the thing to do if at all possible(right at the track planning stage, be it on pen and paper or using software). It will reduce derailments by eliminating the otherwise sudden change from tangent to a curve of constant radius -- remember inertia? Long rigid wheelbase equipment especially benefit from easements. Exposed track also has a much more attractive look by making our sharp model curves less apparent.

[@Sandlingjunction]

Thank you Ray, well I got it right I guess, but more luck than overall knowledge, cheers P

[@FredWilbury]

Build as you go Paul it all looks a little complicated and not a lot of room for great scenery, sorry for the negative comment 😮

[@Sandlingjunction]

You are correct Fred, but more will go on in time I am sure of it, cheers P

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Im at the track laying stage now. Boy is it harder than I expected even though I used AnyRail to plan and print the track layout. Havent got any trains running yet as I have built in expansion gaps in the rail so no continuus DCC power. Yet!

[@Sandlingjunction]

It will not be long, but can understand the frustrations, cheers P

[@andydavidson9440]

Nice progress Paul and thanks for sharing. Totally right to create full loop to run trains. Planning has its place but reality is essential too! Steam engines taking the racing line? The Bentley Boys will be proud of you 😉

[@Sandlingjunction]

Much appreciated Andy, yeah had to be done, cheers Paul

[@colinmeredith7114]

Keep going Paul...it's all looking great...Hope our 4-legged friend is well....??

[@Sandlingjunction]

Thank you Colin and yes Lobo is well thankfully cheers P

[@arthurthorpe5445]

Looking good Paul it's supprising how long the figure eight is you have quite a nice long run.

[@Sandlingjunction]

Yes, I am thankful, though remember the original Sandling with a total of 22 metres of the loop, still, I cannot complain, at least I have a new layout to develop, cheers P

[@steviefilm]

Of course you have to put in a temporary loop and get some trains running, we all would have! It’s going to be a busy and interesting layout maximizing the space. Maybe the tight inner helix should have been omitted though, and the junction for the branch occurring after the lift-out/bridge section? I don’t think I have ever seen period three track tunnel, are you planning separate tunnel mouths? As for the dock idea, add some timber strengthening and get the saws out! Another suggestion is that you can use screws between sleepers with flat heads for clearance, to temporarily hold track so you can test it fully before committing and in the off scene areas leave them in permanently. Thank you for the videos, Steve

[@Sandlingjunction]

Thank you Steve you make so good points and I shall take them on board, cheers P

[@andrewstevenson5449]

Loved the proud daddy beam when the trains went round the full circuit! Have to admit I got a bit lost with the track re-planning. Of course, with all the best will in the world a track plan even done in the best software by the skilled hand of Julian is going to to need a little tweaking in practice, but it should just be tweaking, unless you've changed your mind (also not unreasonable!) about what you want. On your dock idea, my first thought was to do it as a passenger terminal, so the platform wouldn't be at the dock edge, and it would let you model passport/customs sheds between the trains and the imaginary ship just off the baseboard edge (you could model the edge of the baseboard as the quay wall. On the lift out bridge, your setup reminded me of a good video I saw (I think) on Larry Puckett's channel, where he had a very similar liftout bridge and was ensuring electrical continuity, track alignment and also making sure trains don't go crashing to the floor if some eejit has forgotten to put the bridge back.

[@ianjeffery4773]

That big grin or yours is so infectious! Had me smiling from ear to ear. Good to see it all working.

[@Sandlingjunction]

Thanks, Ian, got to laugh, don't want to see a grown man cry lol, cheers P

[@steveoram7527]

Hi Paul just an idea for a future video could you advise about the different brushes used to weather your layout. I was giving for Christmas Ammo brush arsenal. There are some odd shaped brushes in there, I would appreciate some advice on how to get the best out my new brushes. I am loving the New Sandling Junction.

[@Sandlingjunction]

Hi Steve as an artist as well as a modeller, I have seen so many fancy brushes in all shapes and forms, I will touch on this in a video very soon, I promise, cheers P

[@steveoram7527]

@@Sandlingjunction Thank you I will look forward to your future video👍😁

[@ianhughes-zf1ll]

Great video coming on brilliantly looks a good layout going to be good watching it develop. Cheers

[@Sandlingjunction]

Very kind Ian thank you and I do hope so, cheers P

[@thelibrarian46]

That is amazing. I hope the rest of the build goes well.

[@Sandlingjunction]

Thank you so much, that makes two of us for sure, cheers P

[@brucewoods9377]

Love the layout

[@Sandlingjunction]

Thank you that is very kind, cheers P