This has often struck me as the ideal exhibition layout for the scale: It replicates the "Long and Narrow" cross section of the railway corridor, the single track main line meant the operators were always busy crossing trains, the small country station at the front had all the essential parts of railway infrastructure everyone can remember (good shed, pine trees, etc) and the storage sidings at the back allowed several trains to be kept in hiding until it was their time to perform. And even more importantly, its overall length ("only" 16' long) could easily stay setup at home between the shows. An even shorter version would be even better, cos lets face it: everyone has a 12' wall at home (and that s a topic for a future post).
Working on the ideas proven with Cass, here is an idea for something slightly different. Patea in southern Taranaki would really suit this style of layout, being sandwiched between the river and a low ridge which , after meandering past the decomposing corpse of the old freezing works, it has to wind its way up to climb out of the river valley.
So how would it look in a model? Well (thanks to Google Earth) we can see the railway entering from the west from under the main highway bridge, curving through the station behind the old Cheese Grading Buildings on the wharf and then off to the east and the climb up towards the Wharekura flats.
I know Drew loves the area, and I am quite taken with it after my excursions through it in the cab. And with the traffic from New Plymouth, it isnt all milk either! HUG containers with Urea (that word again), 20' Intermodal tanks with CO2 or LPG, UCG LPG Tankers, CF's for fertiliser, VRB's for cheese/butter, a US or two for steel......
Hmmmm.....very tempting!!!
So which stations or areas do you know that could fit this style of layout? Lets hear them!
15 comments:
I've always thought the Auckland Waterfront along Tamaki Drive could have potential for a module, even if a fairly long one. A pedestrian overbridge at the Parnell baths would mark the left-hand end, and the Strand road overbridge could mark the right-hand end. In between you have mostly hills rising up behind, quite a lot of track-work and a turn-table. The lead off to the container terminal unfortunately would have to come out the front, so might be a bit tricky. No traffic generated on this module if you can't get the container siding in, but a well-recognised section of track for those north of the Bombays.
By the way, this is my first comment on the blog - I have been quietly reading away for the past few days. You've all inspired me to get back into the modelling again.
Currently on my workbench... I've been experimenting with manual point throw mechanisms for my layout and after trying a few designs found one that works well. I'm using Fasttracks points so there is no built-in throw or spring like you get with Peco points.
Keep up the good work.
Good thinking, the area you mention would be superb. And with the revitalisation of the suburban network, there would be lots of traffic heading through as well as the shunts to and from the container terminal. Also, if this layout was exhibited in Auckland you would immediatly get the "Wow" factor from the public as they would be able to recognise it, rather than some generic "track through NZ scenery" layouts we seem to be stuck with at the moment.
Can I suggest you send details and pics of the throws to the Head Druff? I'm sure we'd all love to see what youve done!
Great point on the exhibition 'wow' factor for thst Auckland idea - I think that's important.
Great pic of the milk train on the shoreline - credit?
It was in a pile from Skippy, so its either Michael Graham, Craig McSkimming, or even possibly (gasp) Andrew Hamblyn.
No, not mine.
If it has come from Skippy, it could be his, but more likely one of MRK's. (is one of his favourite spots on the line)
For a layout, I vote for Hokitika along the river between "downtown" Hoki and the Westland Dairy plant.
Point to point with a hidden loop for continuous action when the mood to watch trains going round and round.
There are no bridges over the track at the Hoki end so you would have to get a bit creative into the the staging tracks out the back.
At the Dairy end, there is a siding that curves into the plant, and that could be used for the continuous loop.
Meh! Stupid technology... tryng to be clever and include pictures for you to ooohhh and ahhhh at...
image hereand herealso hereand lastly here.
you'd have to include one of the nice bridges on a hoki layout!
Good point, we will credit it to Michael Kilgour (MRK).
Until I've seen anything to the contrary, I am yet to be convinced that you can really do an effective shunting layout in the smaller scales due to mass, weight, slow speed, coupler reliability etc....all the things N scale isnt escatly known for.
However, Drew's choice is a good un...possibly another plan I will have to drag out of the archives....
The other one I thought of for trains running through scenery would be Ashurst - Manawatu Gorge - Woodville...
Drew
dismaI'm planning on starting a layout based on the line from Picton to Blenheim. I grew up in the area and plan to model around the mid 60's to early 70's. I have eight 4 x 2ft modules which were donated to me and plan to arrange them in a C shape with a possible backdrop running down the middle of each module. possiblity of starting climb out of picton on 2nd module and winding around front of backdrops and then continuing around back with track to maybe spring creek. would give a long mainline and plenty of space for elevation and viaduct in picton. My first project is building the Aramoana ferry, which I have just finished getting plans scaled to NZ120 (will measure around 900mm in length and around 150mm wide at traindeck.) I want to make it so you can see inside back of ferry, so it will be placed on an angle on 1st module.this will be my 1st attempt at modelling a ship, so might be some experimenting involved with different materials.
From memory MR did a project railway eons ago that had a staging yard exit disguised as a linkspan with just the rear of the ship modelled....the tracks then curved out of the offside of the "ship" and met up with the staging tracks on the backside of the layout. Maybe this could be an option if the idea of modelling the whole of the Aramoana seems a bit daunting?
I've had a few ideas for different layouts like this for if (hopefully when) i get around to building a layout. Ive thought of places like Arthurs Pass, a turn table a few sidings and backshunts with potentially a variety of trains, coal passenger container.
Also I had an idea for a real scenic layout being the staircase viaduct built accurate to scale. It would need to be about 2400m long and about 700m deep to recreate it at scale but the sight of trains running over this huge chasm would be fantastic.
Also a module with the Christchurch Moorehouse station if they had kept using that as the station. lots of through traffic with a few passenger trains stopping for a bit.
Just a few ideas, now all i need is some spare room and some spare money
Ryan Gibbs
If space and money is a problem.As I mentioned earlier, I have eight 4ft x 2ft modules. the advantage is you can unscrew the legs and store modules in small space. By having one module set up at a time ,or maybe 2,you don't require alot of room and can work on each one individually (keeps your interest and enthusiasm up as you are not spending all your time just laying track, wiring,or scenery,but small amounts of each and you can also place module on shelf or table to work on instead of fitting legs.also cost can be low as you are not buying everything at once.
I believe the Head Druff is working on the low cost module problem as we speak....or at least I think he is....maybe he's just making beer instead....
Beer and Wine actually(oh, and working on the modules)
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