Another visitor to the PLR

David John's K1 (built by Paul Berntsen) came to visit the PLR over Christmas. This is it trying out the big climb (1 in 28  with 26" radius reverse curves) with a few wagons on the back: http://youtu.be/ypnf0ot11tM

And a couple of shots of it posed with mine (I can't actually run them together as mine is DCC and David's is DC)

More Lynton Trackmaking

After very slow progress over the summer, a burst of activity means the final three turnouts are well underway. The following photos show the sacrificial jigs I use which are made from card a copy of the template overlaid with card and straight slots cut for the rails. Flares and cosmetic rail clips (made from pins) are added later and the rails cut to length.

Trackmaking for Lynton

I agreed a while back to make some trackwork for a new layout of Lynton in the late SR period - all in O14 of course. We had lots of challenges with various sources and Templot to ascertain the track layout and turnout angles/dimensions which is as close to scale as we could determine. Subsequently I started a new full time and very challenging job so progress has been a lot slower than intended. Luckily the recipient has similar time challenges and is very patient.

Here are a few shots of the first turnout under test and the common crossing under construction for the next.

PLR Model Size and Statistics

I have often been asked the overal size of the PLR so I have included the following plan of the current configuration. This can be compared to the configuration in the 1990s and 1980s.

The key statistics are:

Overall Size: 18ft x 14ft

NG full circuit: ~ 80ft
NG mainline maximum grade: 1 in 28 (3.5%) - from lower tunnel exit to quarry loop
NG mainline minimum radius: 27in - the big spiral and a small section c. 22in between quarry and viaduct.
The quarry lines are much steeper and tighter.
SG end to end length: ~30ft
SG maximum grade: 1 in 25 (4%) - mainly in hidden track

 

Grid squares = 1ft 

The plan below shows the section that was exhibited at ExpoNG 2014 with the additional boards that were built to allow operation:

PLR Location and Route

The following maps show the location of the three phases of the Pentewan Railway. The PLR was the third epoc* and the approxomate area modelled is shown below.

 

(* The PLR of course only really existed in my model world)

More Standard Gauge Progress

Enough standard gauge track has been built to give the prairie chassis a run - probably about 14' in all.

More photos here: Progress on the PLR

The chassis was loaded up to near final weight (about 1.4kg)  so it would sit correctly on the CSB suspension. I had a lot of problems with the pony trucks but a revision of the springing eventually sorted that out. It is being tested with DC and is now running very sweetly. I am considering what DCC chip to use in the completed build - it will be sound of course.

It derailed rather too often on one curve but a continuous check rail seems to to have solved that. I am now working on completing the hidden track and the loading dock loop.

More photos here:  GWR 2-6-2 No. 5519