Newbridge Sidings by
Gordon Ashton
Newbridge- Sidings is a freelance suburban
shunting-layout- loosely based-
on-the-small railway freight depots found in our larger cities . The
period of
the layout is based in the
1950s to 60s which will allow me to operate my growing collection of
industrial
locomotives.
The through line, depending on the operator's whim, has been modelled
to be
capable of operating passenger trains. This has been allowed for by
providing,
hopefully working, ground signals for all exits onto the mainline, and
facing
point locks on the lever frame.
Stock will consist of a mixture of ready to run and kit built items
Alex Jackson
couplings will be fitted as standard.
Newbridge Sidings is designed to be operated as a stand alone shunting
layout
with the capability of being joined-to another layout or further
extension.
The layout is designed to be operated from the front This means it
takes up less
space at home and gives a greater potential for interaction with the
public at any show I may be invited to. From experience gained with my
demonstration board
I would like to be in the position of letting the public "have a go".
The two base boards have been built using plywood. Alignment uses
EM Society
dowels with the baseboards being joined together by two bolts.
The base boards can either be set up on a table or on a dedicated soft
wood
sub-frame.
The layout has been designed using Templot, a computerised track
planning
package. Using this software has ensured that no curves go below my
specified
minimum of 42 inches while the keeping the track plan within the
desired
footprint of the base boards. The outside single slip has been designed
by
layering plain track of the crossing sidings, then using a curved
section of
plain track to join the two routes.
The track is to P4 standards using a mixture of SMP and copperclad. All
the
points are hand built using copper clad timbers. The points, including
the
trap point are driven by Lemaco and Fulgurex motors.
Newbridge Sidings is also being used as a test bed for DCC controls.
The main
advantage has meant that there are no cross baseboard plugs and
sockets. The
only electrical connections are provided by the two bolts holding the
baseboards
together The DCC system not only controls the locos but operates all
the points,
uncoupling magnets, signals and any other accessories I may think of.
The wiring on each base board is a mess as it has evolved rather than
being planned.
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