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This section the design of the railway, and how it came to be.
The railway is designed to fit into a part of my 15' x 15' shed, allowing other uses for the shed. It needs to be compatible with the existing workbench; it needs to permit the childrens' railway to be stored and operated.
It is not intended to be representative of any real railway, either visually or in terms of train operation. Instead it is designed to allow an interesting range of train movements. To fit in a reasonable amount of track, "N" gauge is to be used. It will represent modern image UK railways, but with no particular regard for types of trains expected to be in any one area.
It is intended to allow a range of manual and automatic train movements, with one or two humans able to interact but also allowing computer control tool. A fiddle yard will be available to hold a number of trains, plus a few destinations that trains can go to. At least one continuous run will be available.
It is intended that "end to end" passenger train movements should be available: this suggests that one or two terminus stations will be needed. A through station would add some additional movements. Finally a goods facility is appropriate: something allowing the rolling stock to come and go without the "load" having to be added or removed.
Planned Design
The proposed track design is shown below. A continuous run double track main line runs around the baseboard at varying altitude. Much of the run around the middle of the layout is hidden at low level (deliberately so at the front of the layout so as to make it accessible to humans in case of problems). A fiddle yard is a part of this track loop; the aim is for around 10 lines in total. A reverse loop ("Chunnel loop") is available, with a few storage tracks to allow trains to be delayed.
Some of the layout will not be visible:
-
Some of the main track loop at the front of the layout will be below ground. This will be accessible to humans easily with some kind of cover.
- Part of the main track loop will run below and behind a major
terminus. It will emerge part way along the back wall.
- A tunnel below the terminus will hold a reverse loop and storage tracks. The tunnel is intended to represent the channel Tunnel.
Several locations are included as part of the layout:
|
Location |
Description |
|
Portsmouth Station |
A large terminus station with several platforms and some kind of diesel engine shed. Serviced by loco and carriages, DMU/EMU and Eurostar (probably running on batteries due to lack of 3 rail or overhead). This is at a high level , with tracks under it. The whole station will be removable for access. |
|
Clanfield Station |
A smaller terminus, intended principally for DMU visits. 3 or 4 roads max. High level, but with no tracks underneath. |
|
Petersfield Junction Station |
Main line junction station: servicing a main line with various traffic and that going to Portsmouth Hilltop. This is at an intermediate level (and may be on a slope) but has no track underneath. |
|
Eastleigh Depot |
An oil depot; visited by bogie oil wagons. Several roads where trains can be left, then picked up and brought back. At a high level. It is unlikely to have track underneath. However the oil tanks may be a removable feature covering the main track loop at the back. |
|
Fiddle Yard |
The fiddle yard will have several roads in each direction, and access for adding/removing trains. An interface to allow a railway 2extension" is also planned. |
The railway has been designed using a PC based CAD program. Please feel free to read why I used that approach, and look at the achieved design.
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