Colin Parks wrote:Hi Howard,
I had thought of using the brass locking fishplates at the joints, but it would be hard to lay the common crossings with them on once the K crossings and the attached switches are fixed. Due to all the droppers, the crossing have to be laid vertically if you see what I mean. I could use brass etched fish plates on the inside face of the joints and plastic cosmetic ones on the outside where they are more prominent.
The switch anchors that gave way might have been down to bad shaping on my part with the files. However, the point blades pivot on the anchors, so they do have job to do and I want to take no chances with failure of parts once the track is operative.
Where did you/do you get the drive rod brackets from for your point work? I suppose I could scratch-build something in extremis. The C&L double slip chairing diagram shows the stretcher bars are linked together before connection to an operating crank. It isn't clear what sort of fitting is needed for that, so again, if you have any ideas let me know!
Now that I have got this far with the slip, it would be good to see it finished, but I am now wondering if the best policy would be to develop the track plan in Templot for the whole junction formation next. The the base boards could then be built and the point work laid as per your method, laying and ballasting the sleepers first then installing the rail assemblies in situ.
Hello Colin,
Yes, all the sub assemblies do have to to go in vertically - and it is a bit of a fight to enable the functional fishplates to be fitted - you end up with a fair few of them strung together above the baseboard just supported by the droppers until you can start to lower them in. I managed the whole lot with only one of the fishplates breaking - they are tougher than they look! Having said that, I don't think having the switches united with the Ks makes it any more difficult - after all, with a 1:7 I had no option but to do it that way.
As Keith says above, there is no real movement in the switch anchors - you can rest easy there. What do you mean by "drive rod brackets?" The eyes on the ends of my drive rods are Ambis and they came free with the Mk III stretcher brackets. You will need something different as the drive on the MkIIII are vertical rather than horizontal. If you get stuck (and there is not much from the "trade" to help) I do have a few Ambis bits and pieces left over
As you know, the pairs of switches on mine are linked under the closure rails (can be done with the Ambis Mk III) but probably for you, the easiest would be to contrive something like that on the Exactoscale plan. A lot ultimately depends on how you intend to drive the switches so that would be worth some consideration before too long.
Of course having got this far you must get it running! But in truth, if you were building it into the whole formation you would do it differently - making somethings easier and others less so... But knowing you want to get something running for test purposes, maybe this one finds its way onto a plank - after all, you might want to further experiment with the ballast, detailing, third rail, switch drives etc... And, good as this one is, the next will be even better - this is a skill after all!
Very Best Wishes,