Progress update - trains now running on the top deck

[@aleopardstail]

really good to see this, its lovely to see decent length trains running. I think the choice of a simple through station is likely the right one, means those long trains can stop somewhere without loosing too much space to pointwork at the ends. perfect to just watch them run. on platforms, for what its worth a former loft layout of mine I went with something very simple, chipboard of a suitable depth (forget what) cut to shape then screwed into place formed the core of the platform, front trim added, then a deck of card overlaid. was simple but served two other purposes, firstly nothing on the platforms ever sagged as they were basically solid, and braced the board below nicely. wish mine ran as reliably

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Thanks Dale - exactly! i'd been planning more complex stations but that's where the planning software comes in really useful as I could see how much space I was losing, adding points in to cross all the tracks. And platforms - that's very close to what I'm planning! Thanks for the comments, regards, Chris

[@timharrison2894]

Looks like great fun

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Ha, thanks, it is, although I'm still getting cross with myself when i set those double slips wrong and get a short. Still happening way too often! Regards, Chris

[@Shelvington_Railway]

Looks Awesome! Regards, Andy

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Thank you, that's very kind, still a long way to go! Chris

[@Shelvington_Railway]

@@WirenwoodModelRailway Is a model railway ever 'finished' though !! ;) Liked and Subbed! Cheers, Andy

[@ebjamville]

Have you considered a motor tool for cutting gaps? Possibly PCB ties to keep rails in place.

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Ah yeah i nearly bought one of those rotary saws once but ended up spending the money on an outdoor pizza oven instead. I'd be much thinner now if I'd gone for the saw! Regards, Chris

[@Youshunt]

Looks like you are enjoying it again.

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Ha, yeah I really have been. I have a bit of momentum at the moment which helps. Regards, Chris

[@Youshunt]

What’s your plan with the platforms. I have a couple of laser cutters etc and would happily make you some.

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

@@YoushuntGoodness me, that is a kind offer! For the moment I'm thinking getting some ply, say 12mm, then 2 lots of 3.6mm ply and piling them on top of each other with offsets for a platform lip. I like the texture of the ply, the rows kind of represent brick / block so paint that maybe a charcoal colour for tall breeze blocks, same with the middle 3.6mm and put a white lip on the top 3.6mm and paint it grey. Then I can detail it later. What do you think?!

[@Youshunt]

Do you have a contact email?

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

@@Youshunt yeah go to the channel about page and there's one there. It's not my real one but I'll see it and reply with my real one. Oh and by the way, that plan I described, I wasn't jumping on your feet generous offer, my local B&Q can cut up the ply for me when I buy it! But it was a very generous offer, laser cutting is very interesting! Chris

[@aleopardstail]

that block for the end of the platform, have you considered making all three points and the associated length of tracks between them as a single block? will only ever have one train moving in that area anyway it works also that platform 2a & 2b is more or less what exists at Doncaster and seems to work well on the prototype :) should all be fun to signal up as well then automate

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Ah yeah I see what you're saying there, that could work - I might have got lucky with IRJs too as they're on all the frogs anyway! Chris

[@SpringCottageModelRailway]

Hi nice layout. I’ve asked everywhere but no one knows - what’s the length of the short piece you have to add between your small radius points and double slip crossovers to achieve the set track spacing?

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Hi, I don't use short radius but do have some medium and some long. It was trial and error really but I'll measure up tomorrow and get back to you. Regards, Chris

[@stevedowdeswell139]

Really like the set up.

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Thank you, that's very kind! Regards, Chris

[@LyntreeTown20132]

Impressive layout and nice update, love the trains running especially the APT just starting a new 00 layout and channel wish I had the space youve got, subscribed and liked. where did u get that adjustable track spacer

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Thank you, and good luck with the layout! They were from KJB models on eBay - looks like they're sold out at the moment, hopefully they'll get some more. They were really useful, they grip the rails so really keep everything where you want it. Regards, Chris www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203053758962

[@LyntreeTown20132]

thank you @@WirenwoodModelRailway