7mm North Kent Yard
- Thread starter Hobbyhorse
- Start date
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
I'm still pondering with the small cameo type layout, but have three extra baseboards the thought of a bit more narrow gauge is in the design mix, but centred around the Gantry Crane recovered from the NKLR, so time to get the crane working.
Originally controlled using RC with a Del Tang receiver it wasn’t that reliable and as these aren’t available at the moment, so altering the control system to a wired should solve the reliability problems.
And using the motor controllers from transfer cranes, work just like the RC setup.
The most difficult bit of the modification is with 3 motors 6 wires need to traverse the various sections for the crane, with pick ups to transfer the current from the frames to the two carriages. I wanted to keep the mods as simple as possible and didn’t want it to impact visually.
Luckily when I built the crane I mounted the rails on copper clad which has helped with the power distribution with two wires only needed for the crane control tower and four from the frames, using 4mm bull head rail soldered on it sides to 2mm scale copper clad sleepers, these strips are then glued next to the carriage rails. The reason to use the 4mm rail is it provides a good channel for the pick ups to run in, each pick up has two wipers.
This setup seems to work well, not sure yet as to have the controls moveable mounted in a box our fitted into the layout, as these will still be used with the two transfer cranes.
The new name of the project is North Kent Yard, so keeping a bit of the flavour of the old layout alive.
Simon
Originally controlled using RC with a Del Tang receiver it wasn’t that reliable and as these aren’t available at the moment, so altering the control system to a wired should solve the reliability problems.
And using the motor controllers from transfer cranes, work just like the RC setup.
The most difficult bit of the modification is with 3 motors 6 wires need to traverse the various sections for the crane, with pick ups to transfer the current from the frames to the two carriages. I wanted to keep the mods as simple as possible and didn’t want it to impact visually.
Luckily when I built the crane I mounted the rails on copper clad which has helped with the power distribution with two wires only needed for the crane control tower and four from the frames, using 4mm bull head rail soldered on it sides to 2mm scale copper clad sleepers, these strips are then glued next to the carriage rails. The reason to use the 4mm rail is it provides a good channel for the pick ups to run in, each pick up has two wipers.
This setup seems to work well, not sure yet as to have the controls moveable mounted in a box our fitted into the layout, as these will still be used with the two transfer cranes.
The new name of the project is North Kent Yard, so keeping a bit of the flavour of the old layout alive.
Simon
Greengiant
Western Thunderer
Good to see the project resurrected, all be it in a smaller format. Completely understand, the previous version did certainly occupy a lot of space in the shed. It was beautifully built though.
Intrigued about the Deltang reliability issues, what sort of things were happening?
Your chain tube guides, did you flare the ends where the chain enters the tube?
Do you ever get any chain snagging at that entry point when lowering an empty hook?
Be good to pop by and see the layout at some point.
Intrigued about the Deltang reliability issues, what sort of things were happening?
Your chain tube guides, did you flare the ends where the chain enters the tube?
Do you ever get any chain snagging at that entry point when lowering an empty hook?
Be good to pop by and see the layout at some point.
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
I’ve always liked the run down industrial look, and that’s the plan for North Kent Yard. It’s a small section of a much larger busy yard, with various industries feeding into it, my end of it is mostly cement, with standard and narrow gauge lines to the works, the standard gauge line runs off on a tightly curved track, giving the reason for some small privately owned locos. The narrow gauge feeder could run into the cement works, but that’s another story. I’d like to keep the period flexible, most of my rolling stock is pre 40’s but do have a bit of late 70’s blue diesel’s, so as the layout won’t need a lot of stock it’ll be easy to ring the changes.
So expanded the size slightly giving a T shape, using three other leftover boards with a total size of 12’ by 15’ this does include 3’ for the storage area at the bottom of the T, and being hinged overcomes the duck under that was the death nail of the old layout. Luckily the only timber work board has been adding another 12” to the top lefthand board and the new storage board, which is good as I’m not over keen on woodwork.
Using the plan that had taken quite a while to come together the track timber work has started to be set out.
Simon
So expanded the size slightly giving a T shape, using three other leftover boards with a total size of 12’ by 15’ this does include 3’ for the storage area at the bottom of the T, and being hinged overcomes the duck under that was the death nail of the old layout. Luckily the only timber work board has been adding another 12” to the top lefthand board and the new storage board, which is good as I’m not over keen on woodwork.
Using the plan that had taken quite a while to come together the track timber work has started to be set out.
Simon
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
Good progress this week with getting most of the timber work down. The area for the Gantry Crane has been built up as it’s going to be infilled with the rails soldered to the copper clad. A few friends are coming to inspect later this week, which is good timing to go over small area of trackwork that I’m not to sure about at the moment. So next on the list is to start distressing the timbers and get some colour onto them.
Simon
Simon
Greengiant
Western Thunderer
Hi Simon,
Looks like you missed my questions post.
Intrigued about the Deltang reliability issues, what sort of things were happening?
Your chain tube guides, did you flare the ends where the chain enters the tube?
Do you ever get any chain snagging at that entry point when lowering an empty hook?
All the best,
Martin
Looks like you missed my questions post.
Intrigued about the Deltang reliability issues, what sort of things were happening?
Your chain tube guides, did you flare the ends where the chain enters the tube?
Do you ever get any chain snagging at that entry point when lowering an empty hook?
All the best,
Martin
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
I’ve been asked about the track gauge I’m going to use, well I’ve been pondering that myself and have decided to going for 31.50 with 1.25 flange ways which certainly does improve the appearance around the V and check rails.
On the tighter curves the gauge will revert to 32.00.
I’ve got quite a collection of roller gauges from over the years so modifying some of them to 31.50 was a quick process with the lathe, and while on the lathe made up a couple in brass which will be useful on the soldered infilled section for the gantry crane.
Again I have a collection of flange way gauges for 1.75, so some have been reduced in thickness to 1.25.
Simon
On the tighter curves the gauge will revert to 32.00.
I’ve got quite a collection of roller gauges from over the years so modifying some of them to 31.50 was a quick process with the lathe, and while on the lathe made up a couple in brass which will be useful on the soldered infilled section for the gantry crane.
Again I have a collection of flange way gauges for 1.75, so some have been reduced in thickness to 1.25.
Simon
Hayfield1
Western Thunderer
Simon
Good to see the old C&L track gauges both still being used and altered to 31.5mm gauge. I don't know if you have the C&L check rail gauges, certainly you have enough gauges to make some.
Martin Wynn often quotes that check rail gauges are the most important gauge, and if required the stock rails can if needed be gauge widened, as its the check rails that guide the wheels through the crossing
Therefore with the sharper radius curved turnouts in theory you can keep to 31.5 standards, but gauge widen the stock rails where required
Just a thought
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
It’s amazing over the years how many gauges you collect.
Good point with the check rail gauges, time to fire up the lathe.
I’ve only got one turnout that’s on a fairly tight radius so your theory is worth a punt.
Simon
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
The opportunity to show a couple of friends the progress so far was very useful.
Firstly we looked at the track configuration around the headshunt, which runs very close to the line linking the future section of some sort of works.
The suggestion was add a diamond crossing give the appearance it once had a link to another industry off the headshunt, well its not very prototypical but does increase the headshunt length and as it’ll be surrounded by buildings so won’t stand out to much.
Photo gives the idea.
We also looked at the operation side which could keep up to three fully occupied. The importance of working out the traffic is important with a small layout like this is to keep interest going otherwise just moving wagons and locos around without a purpose boredom would soon set in. Also because the layout can represent different periods that should add a lot more operating potential, although care will be needed of not date the layout with the infrastructure.
I went over the waybill/car card system used on the previous layout, although the waybill part won’t be needed the car card part would work will, having the option of up to four movements with each card, should cover all requirements.
The various traffic flows showed that the storage area would need quite a few plates to store the wagons, so some more thought needed in this area.
Lastly would it be possible to exhibit it, not considered that but it’s possible and could be different with a T shaped layout. As it’s shelf mounted legs would be needed plus a taller back scene as I’m only planning a lowish one which would mostly be the buildings.
So overall a worthwhile afternoon, with a lot more to think about now.
Simon
Firstly we looked at the track configuration around the headshunt, which runs very close to the line linking the future section of some sort of works.
The suggestion was add a diamond crossing give the appearance it once had a link to another industry off the headshunt, well its not very prototypical but does increase the headshunt length and as it’ll be surrounded by buildings so won’t stand out to much.
Photo gives the idea.
We also looked at the operation side which could keep up to three fully occupied. The importance of working out the traffic is important with a small layout like this is to keep interest going otherwise just moving wagons and locos around without a purpose boredom would soon set in. Also because the layout can represent different periods that should add a lot more operating potential, although care will be needed of not date the layout with the infrastructure.
I went over the waybill/car card system used on the previous layout, although the waybill part won’t be needed the car card part would work will, having the option of up to four movements with each card, should cover all requirements.
The various traffic flows showed that the storage area would need quite a few plates to store the wagons, so some more thought needed in this area.
Lastly would it be possible to exhibit it, not considered that but it’s possible and could be different with a T shaped layout. As it’s shelf mounted legs would be needed plus a taller back scene as I’m only planning a lowish one which would mostly be the buildings.
So overall a worthwhile afternoon, with a lot more to think about now.
Simon
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Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
The beauty of using ply for the timbers is that a lot of extra detail can be added to them, the photo shows the various tools used. Care is needed not to overdo it, so firstly its just about adding graining, removing the crisp edges and taking a few nicks out. Adding the first colour is just a thin wash using mid brown, this brings out the grain. Further distressing of the timbers will happen later to give the appearance of neglect.
The overall track and timber colour will vary around the layout so this is the starting point before track laying can commence.
Simon
The overall track and timber colour will vary around the layout so this is the starting point before track laying can commence.
Simon
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
As request for Frank, rough sketch of the plan, not included the narrow gauge track yet as still trying to sort that out. Top right is access to the storage plates.
Simon
Simon
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
At the moment the plan is to keep the narrow gauge fairly simple with a line from the storage plate area through to the future extension, with probably a loop by the gantry crane to interchange with the crane. The new NG7 locos look good, but I’ve a large collection of narrow gauge steam and diesels that will cover the various periods I’m modelling.
Simon
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
Making a start on the track with the storage end of the layout, I’ve cut some 15 thou thick strips to be used on the infilled section as edging. At the joints small brass screws hold the rails inline and also set the height with the chairs cut in half to hide the screws. The aluminium section buts up to the rails and is aligned with them and act as the bridge to the storage plates with simple clips providing the electrical connection to them.
Slight backwards step with the storage plate alignment, as checking clearances realised couldn’t get two plates side by side on the Gantry roads, so easy fix by just slightly curving the inner road a bit solved the problem. Removing visible power feeds is important so drilling small holes, with wire soldered to the rail bottom is easily hidden with chairs cut in half and added. Each piece of rail has two feeds reducing any future issues.
Simon
Slight backwards step with the storage plate alignment, as checking clearances realised couldn’t get two plates side by side on the Gantry roads, so easy fix by just slightly curving the inner road a bit solved the problem. Removing visible power feeds is important so drilling small holes, with wire soldered to the rail bottom is easily hidden with chairs cut in half and added. Each piece of rail has two feeds reducing any future issues.
Simon
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
I suppose it’s experience over a good many years with the track building, although recently I’ve had a interest in modelling across the pond, and looking at what the narrow gauge modellers get up to is worth looking at. Dual gauge points can be fun, importantly constant standards are a must. On this layout I don’t need any Dual gauge points, as the narrow gauge line is just interlaced with the standard gauge.
Simon
Hobbyhorse
Western Thunderer
So time to get on with the Diamond crossing. Using a sheet of copper clad to build on will give strength, and as it’s slightly thinner will need some packing to increase the height to match the existing track. No problems constructing it other than one line is one a slight curve. Once it’s positioned the timbers, fixing plates and chairs can be added.
Simon
Simon