Skier Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Hi All So ever since I was a child I have wanted to build a specific Hornby layout. The layout in question is from the 5th edition of the Hornby track plan book and it is plan 17. As I approach the build I’ve noticed that the plan uses a mix of first and second radius curves on the same bend ie an R605 into an R607. This configuration has alarm bells written all over it. Is this just best avoided? I can try and rework the track plan using second and third radius curves to smooth out the bends - it might get complicated though. I would welcome your thoughts. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellocoloco Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Bear in mind that when that track plan book was published, most locos and stock would manage R1 curves. Using different radius curves consecutively isn't in itself a problem and R2/3 would certainly be better that R1/2. Or could you keep it to R2. Any complications in the geometry of the plan could be sorted with flexitrack. Of course, if you are only using small or old locos there might not be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rana Temporia Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Have you a picture of the pan as that would help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skier Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 (edited) Hi Photo of plan attached. Regards Edited April 29 by Skier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skier Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 Sorry, I have no idea how to load images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moccasin Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Did you use an iPhone? The standard live images they take don’t work on this forum. You can convert to jpg & try again. If you’re not sure how, just take a screenshot of the photo showing on your phone and upload that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skier Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skier Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 (edited) Sorry. Saved as a jpeg but still shows just as a black square. Giving up ! Edited April 29 by Skier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
What About The Bee Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 The heart wants what the heart wants. If your dream layout is presented in that kind of exquisite detail, then I say go for it. Be very mindful that most modern locomotives and rolling stock are spec'd to R2, minimum. But many will do R1 in a pinch. Smaller locomotives and rolling stock preferred. With the itch scratched, you may upgrade your track plan to R2 minimum. Most any track planning software can assist you in the feel of your choice, if not duplicate it precisely. Have Fun! Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skier Posted April 29 Author Share Posted April 29 Thank you for your encouragement. I think I’m going to use R2 and R3 curves and see if I can replicate the plan as much as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
What About The Bee Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Many software packages offer free trials. I know that SCARM does. Likely it will accomodate your desired plan, as the free version handles 50(?) individual track pieces. If it were me, I would put your desired plan in first. Then try the modification to see what else is forced to change with it. Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTSR_NSE Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 (edited) Found it by Googling: URL: https://static.wixstatic.com/media/925154_d63a9481d4204ae196b54365f4f65fde~mv2.jpg Edited April 29 by LTSR_NSE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellocoloco Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Looking at the plan, I would doubt the gradients would be suitable for today's models and track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atom3624 Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 It looks like a design which would be great, were to be at least 3x bigger - curve radii moderated and sidings substantially longer. Those sidings indicated won't hold more than 2 carriages, or 5 small wagons. Al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rog RJ Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 As I've said before, these layouts are designed to use as many track pieces and accessories as possible in a given area, not to make a really usable layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rana Temporia Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 `Rog is dead right. This layout will look good and there is good loco storage but actual operational ‘fun’ is limited. The geometry means that if you follow this plan you need to use the first radius curves and there isn’t anything you can do about the gradient. This means that you’d have to use contemporary locos and controllers to get the best out of it. Modern locos and controllers wouldn’t be designed to run on it. There are also a lot of curved points. Others have said to use the Peco version. If you were to use contemporary locos you would probably have a problem with modern Hornby points as well as they are designed for wheels that are more to scale, again Peco settrack ones may be a better option. None of these points will stop you building this layout it’s just that you need to have realistic expectations about what you will be able to run on it. I’m not sure if Hornby still do a signal control set? I have noticed four on this plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skier Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 Hi All Thank you for all your comments. I’m having a bit of a rethink now on this. Essentially I have a combination of modern and older locos and am looking for a layout with twin main lines combined with a branch line. I do run a DCC layout btw. Unfortunately my imagination isn’t great when it comes to designing a layout. I always seem to end up with essentially two ovals with sidings etc feeding off them. I have a big base board (11 foot long by 6 foot wide) with a central well. I would welcome any ideas for the build. I have a large number of locos and rolling stock and like a good amount of sidings so I can use and display what I have. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesXRN Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 This was the control panel from my last layout from the early 90's. It's been stored in a barn ever since. For the track, I just made it up as I went along. It was 20' x 15' but should give you some idea of what you can acheive. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rana Temporia Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 There are lots of ideas out there. The two small PECO plan books usually have pans designed for operational use, but they also tend to cram as much railway in the available space as possible. The PECO settrack book is rather like the Hornby books in putting as much product in the available space as it’s possible to achieve and uses their old 1st/2nd radius curved points which aren’t available anymore. However, they are all excellent sources of ideas on things to incorporate in a layout if you have the space. Old Model Railway mags are usually available very cheaply and usually have some track plans in them, you can always copy a good part of someone else’s layout as well. They have already done the design for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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