Hi,
Could any one tell me what is considered a good length, or, actual lengths of station platforms re narrow gauge British systems, as, i am at a loss as to how long i should aim at, also, platform depth, this may seem rather silly to most here, but, i want to get the proportions correct for the size of my base boards, as, these are 9 ft x 9 ft x 12 ft, a simple U shaped affair, hope to get some good information from you all and many grateful thanks........
Very best regards to all............................Tom............. :) ;) 8)
It is virtually impossible to model true platform lengths in 009 for lines like the FR or the WHR as they work out at about 100 inches long!
However I think the shorter platforms on the TR are about 130 foot long. (Corrections welcome) That works out at about 20 inches.
What should set your platform length in 009 is what length trains you would like to run?
But you will need to know the length and amount of the coaches you are going to use first.
The platform, loop and even siding lengths on all my 009 layouts were worked out using the lengths of the coaches and wagons we were going to use.
Brian Meldon
Brian,
Hello and thanks for your response, yes, when we try scale replication of actual buildings etc etc, it is very daunting what it throws up :D; i am thinking as i can make my own rolling stock to base the coaching stock at 3/4 or so the length of the L&B types, good traffic as is/ found, but am not sure as to the depth of the platforms as i do not want it to be like the L&B as in many photos of said system, just the plain ground, would wish some height to my platforms but not to be over the steps to carriage doors if you see what i mean, any ways, many thanks for your input, most grateful.................
Best regards...................Tom............ :) ;) 8)
Platforms as such are unusual on narrow gauge railways of the past, there were some, but many railways had none to speak of, but are far more common on preserved lines today.
Often they were low at rail head level or even lower at sleeper top level.
Some were little more than an edging in the ground!
In Practical terms for 009 use platforms at rail head level work well as there is no chance of anything hitting them. Platforms that are higher than that may well have to be set too far back to look realistic just to avoid being hit by items of rolling stock.
You can build all your locos and stock to have more ground clearance, and then have higher platforms, but sooner or later you will find that you have a new loco or item of rolling stock that will hit the platform unless it is modified.
The L&B had different platform heights at different station, some were at rail head height some were about 4 inches above rail head height but set some way back from the rails but at Barnstable there was a somewhat higher platform. The coaches had quite wide steps that were at a height that it was easy to step up to from ground level.
Today the platform at Woody Bay is at rail head height.
Brian Meldon
Tom,
I think Brian's comprehensive answers should indicate to you that there "is no set rule"! As a general guide I would also add:
1. Depends what type of NG railway you are planning - if it is a "mainline NG" type" ie something akin to the style of Irish NG or Isle of Man, then a miniaturised mainline practice is the way to go - "proper" platforms, maybe lower than standard gauge of course. I have used Sundeala board with a top covering of thin card before now and it looks OK to me for this sort of style. If you aren't familiar with Sundeala, then some MDF with a platform height above the board of between 6 and 9mm as a suggestion.
If of course you are going for "old, short and quaint" aks Tallylyn etc then anything from rail height to something stone faced to a maximum of about 9mm will do for you.
2. As to length - unless you have limitless space and are able to model a scale length platform on a scale model of a prototype then a general guide would be - for a main or passing station, the maximum length of your train plus loco plus space at each end for passing, if you have a passing loop planned. Halts of course are not restricted by length and could be just a short raised platform or bank of one or perhaps two coaches length.
Confused? I am now!
Mick
My main terminus has loops capable of taking a loco and 5 bogie coaches plus as Mick says a bit at each end!This allows the loco to run around.But your question really is how long is a piece of string!
I think decide what your longest consist is going to be and build the loops accordingly.That way everything else is going to fit.I have platforms and learnt early on these should be low enough that any carriage steps can pass over them.
Hi all,
First off, many thanks for the advice and very grateful, second, understood, yes, the length of said coaching stock x what ever i will require etc etc is the way i shall proceed, my problem is that, i wanted to spend on the rail and point work first off, and THEN, go for my rolling stock, mmm, and a loco of own choice to complement, still, i can i guess produce some card sections to indicate length and width and adding on a little for coupling either ends, ::) use this as a way forwards, yes thinking about it now, i will try this out and go from their on wards, again, my best regards to all and many grateful thanks..............
Best to all.........................Tom...... :) ;) 8)
Quote from: Tom Fisher on January 20, 2017, 17:40
Hi all,
First off, many thanks for the advice and very grateful, second, understood, yes, the length of said coaching stock x what ever i will require etc etc is the way i shall proceed, my problem is that, i wanted to spend on the rail and point work first off, and THEN, go for my rolling stock, mmm, and a loco of own choice to complement, still, i can i guess produce some card sections to indicate length and width and adding on a little for coupling either ends, ::) use this as a way forwards, yes thinking about it now, i will try this out and go from their on wards, again, my best regards to all and many grateful thanks..............
Best to all.........................Tom...... :) ;) 8)
I can understand your logic to a point Tom - get the trackwork down then worry about the stock later - but surely you must have some idea of the
type of narrow gauge railway you want to build - i.e. something with a small loading gauge like the Ffestiniog, something bigger like the Welshpool or at the large end like the Leek & Manifold - and therefore the type of stock you want to run?
The size of the stock - both the loading gauge and length - affects so many things when it comes to layout planning, most importantly things like the length of loops & platforms (as you have found out) but also the distances between the track and line side buildings, platform edges, sizes of bridges & tunnels, track-center distances to get stock clearances in passing loop and sidings, space in the fiddleyard...
The key is that you don't need to go out an buy
all of the stock now, but just get some samples of the typical things you intend to run. As an example if one was planning a Lynton &Barnstaple inspirered line then getting one of the Peco bogie carriages and a loco (I'd suggest a white metal kit on a RTR chassis rather than spending the best part of
Dealing exclusively with the track first could lead to disappointment and frustration. Without a locomotive of the sort of size (particularly wheelbase) you intend to use and some stock to go with it all alignment and clearance is going to be a matter of guesswork. This is especially true of run-around loops and sidings that could end up being unusable.
A single coach will give you some idea of overhang etc, and if the locomotive you want is not immediately available then an N gauge loco of similar wheel arrangement will give you some idea of running. Another possibility is to buy a "contractor's" loco for "line construction" even if it does not fit in with your ultimate plans for the railway or even era. Even a Kato tram chassis with a lump of BluTac for weight and a rectangle of cardboard to represent clearances will give an idea of running potential. Another possibility is to buy the cheapest stock (perhaps some Minitrains bolster wagons) to mock up a train of carriages of the length you want.
Once you run a train (or even push stock by hand) over track laid temporarily you may change your mind about how the track should be configured.
With the 009 Society sales you could pick up stuff and then sell it again. If there is a minor financial loss it is going to be less than ripping up and replacing track if it is not right.
Quote from: GraemeD on January 21, 2017, 17:31
Dealing exclusively with the track first could lead to disappointment and frustration. Without a locomotive of the sort of size (particularly wheelbase) you intend to use and some stock to go with it all alignment and clearance is going to be a matter of guesswork. This is especially true of run-around loops and sidings that could end up being unusable.
I'll second that!
Another thing to be extremely careful about is the radius you use in your curves. On Links
Hi ALL :) :),
Many thanks for all the great replies ;D, i for my part with regards to coaching stock etc, will be producing my own so, as i progress with the stock, i will also be altering said stock to comply as much as is sensible or looks such to the curves etc etc of my system, also goods stock; motive power will be of a different slant as, i won`t make my own chassis, bodies perhaps having done so in the distant past ::) :D, and to all mentioned thus far, my curves are as slight as i can possibly make them, in actual fact, i design and produce card models of buildings commercial and public, thus, i will match buildings to suit the area or idea as i come across or think up or the like :laugh: :laugh:; tha is all for now, again, many grateful thanks for the interest shown by fellow member to my question............
My very best regards and wishes.........................Tom....... :) ;) 8)
Hi Tom,
If you're using continental N gauge chassis, then they will normally work on the manufacturer's smallest radius curves.
It's quite amazing when you see some of the bigger Fleischmann N gauge steam loco's effortlessly handle their R1 curves!
I would stay away from basing yourself on some of the very tight Japanese curves (140 mm for Tomix tram track). Thats limiting yourself a bit much!
I must admit it's tempting though to get some and see what can go round round it!
Cheers,
Friso
HI guys,
Well, have just finished the track work and, to my surprise, i have 5 turn outs left and about 8 yds of track :o :D :laugh: :laugh:, so, i now have an intolerable urge to see where i can get them used on the layout/ system, ??? :-\, this tho i feel could be folly as, it might just be over kill and suppress the areas of usable scenic value, in short, i screw the lot up :-\ :laugh: :laugh:, and at this stage in the proceedings, i think i will wait and ponder the variables ;) :) of such an action, but, its nice to have so much material over as to be so very tempting.
OK, well, thanks for all the extra input from every one, very much welcomed and big thanks all round; i think i shall start to design some buildings for related places and given tasks, which, should keep me away from laying the remaining track etc etc for the present, but, the structures may tend to lead to possibilities for extra track and point work, or, am i just looking for a feeble excuse to just lay track and points and to hell with it, mmmmmmmm ;) ::), we shall see............
My very best and regards to all.........................Tom........ :) ;) 8)
I would store your track and points for another layout, and get on and finish this one.
I concurr with DuttonBay: Keep them for the next one!
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt!
It's an important point to remember: "form follows function"... So your station layout should reflect the actual operations that go on within its confines. If something is not going to be used, it's removed. Otherwise it's just additional maintenance...
I agree with the above.
There is often a tendency for people to squeeze as much in on a 009 layout as they can, this gives the layout an over cluttered non-realistic appearance. In most cases narrow gauge railways were built because they were cheaper and this resulted in minimal facilities being provided with minimal sidings, loops etc. at stations not as many sidings as there is room for!
Brian Meldon