The Quarry Branch

[SWTH]

I've finally started planning my 009 layout. The basic idea is a 6-7 mile long branch has been built off the modern WHR to serve a slate mine and minor forestry operations on the western edges of the Snowdonia National Park. The park authority determined that in order for the industry to be allowed, all materials, tools, equipment and workforce had to be transported in by train, in order to keep HGV's and other extra traffic off the already congested road network. With the increasing need to source material and other commodities locally and sustainably, a railway, linked to and operated by a local company with over 175 years experience made obvious sense. Operations within the parks boundaries are visual-impact limited, so most slate finishing is carried out in a factory at the bottom of the line, where a transshipment facility is also located.

Back in the real world, such a scenario will allow me to operate passenger trains (quarry workforce and locals), freight trains (slate waste, part-finished slates, timber trains, equipment going up the line, etc), and the odd special for fun. It should allow for a varied and interesting timetable, and allow for expansion - I'd like to represent all of the line in some way, but for now I will start with the bottom end station. This will be over four 4'x2' boards, allowing for some land for the railway to 'sit in'.

Here is the initial track plan - please excuse all the straight lines, the 'real' layout will have more curves!



Hoping to start making some sawdust over the Easter weekend!

[tedp]

This looks like an interesting and original idea - I expect all traffic will be diesel-hauled and using modern stock? Do you have any ideas for the connection to the WHR main line?

[Isle of Stoner]

Game on.

John W

[SWTH]

This looks like an interesting and original idea - I expect all traffic will be diesel-hauled and using modern stock? Do you have any ideas for the connection to the WHR main line?

Modernised steam traction (NGG16/A) is the intended motive power - the F&WHR don't currently have any diesel capable of matching the power of the Garratts (new build diesels are currently still only on the drawing boards as figuring a way of taking 600-800bhp to the axles without suffering the issues the Funkeys do with final drive gearboxes breaking is proving a serious issue), plus existing available steam power that the railway is familiar with makes good sense.

The connection to the WHR main line will be off-scene as that would require much more stock - maybe an extension for the future though!

[tedp]

Did you have an image of the now-defunct Alfred County Railway in your mind, carrying heavy freight behind NGG16s for very similar reasons, i.e. keeping road traffic to a minimum? The idea is very similar.

[SWTH]

Progress:


CLS timber battens screwed together ready for the baseboard.


And with the chipboard glued 'n' screwed in place.

Now baseboard 1 has been assembled, building the next three can go ahead - these will be batch built using measurements taken from B1. Hopefully I will have them completed in the next week, depending on when I get chance to buy more materials for B3 & B4.

[SWTH]

Did you have an image of the now-defunct Alfred County Railway in your mind, carrying heavy freight behind NGG16s for very similar reasons, i.e. keeping road traffic to a minimum? The idea is very similar.

Sorry Ted, I didn't see your question until now.

The ACR is an influence, but the difference is that in my scenario non-road transport is a stipulation of a permit to work and mine inside the boundaries of the national park - so the road transport competition that eventually put a stop to Alfred County operations simply doesn't exist.

[tedp]

Well it's quite a likely scenario as a railway has far less impact on a fragile environment than a road. I'm looking forward to see the layout grow.

[invercloy]

Glad to see you've made a start on the baseboards.

Looking forward to progress.

I hope that's FSC timber as you're using an 'eco' theme to justify the line ;)

[SWTH]

Have to admit I hadn't thought of that  :-[

[invercloy]

Only pulling your leg ;)

What will you use for the contours?

[SWTH]

I've been considering the curves to the fiddle yards - actually laying out some track on B1 makes it obvious that an 11" radius curve is a bit tight, and the 9" curve inside of that for the stock yard is just not practical for scale 45' bogie coaches and large locomotives. I think a redesign is needed, and possibly an extra board or two to widen the layout at the bottom end.

As for contours, the station area is mainly flat, but as the line heads away from the station then hills will start to appear - probably using foam blocks.