Worklist:
Work out where to locate the magnets on the two 'exhibition' boards.
Un-planned worklist:
Rectify electrical feed problem on points.
Rectify section switch issue in engine shed.
A full house and it was straight into magnet positioning. Track was cleaned, two loco's and some open wagons were placed on the track. We immediately ran into trouble running Laurence's Deceauville 0-6-0 loco as it lurched over the first point. Examination of wheels and gauge proved 'ok', but the problem was a wire on the inside of the point rail near the frog. The combination of 'just ok' wheels and the slightly protruding wire caused the lurching. Geoff explained that the wire was a new design of blade electrical feed, which, when filed down, broke up. New jumper feeds were added to both blades, which will have to be repeated for the other two points.
After some testing, it was decided that the uncoupling magnet on the mainline was best placed in the centre of the straight section of track, to ensure the optimum coupler operation. Likewise, the magnet for the yard siding was similarly positioned. An additional magnet was proposed closer to the point, but this was omitted once all operations had been investigated (see later).
It was decided to make provision for uncoupling a wagon in the engine shed head shunt. Wagons were positioned to identify the fouling point and a magnet confirmed as viable. This is an example of where a retractable magnet is useful as it would be very easy to shunt a slightly too long wagon into the siding and not be able to couple onto it for extraction, as occasionally happens in the Worton Court goods shed.
While investigating dropping off and collecting 2/3 wagons, a magnet near to the engine shed was identified as very useful. This obviated the need for two magnets in the yard siding.
The final magnet layout:
Whilst running into the engine shed, it was noted that either of the section switches could be used to isolate/power the area. At first, a potentially misplaced shed feed was repositioned without resolving the issue. It was then decided that a rail break could be at fault. After some digging into the plaster floor at the rail break and scraping the copper sleeper, the problem was resolved. Again, despite a few problems, there was positive progress and the session had been enjoyable.
So far, Geoff's servo operated hinged magnet units on his 00 layout have only needed one magnet pulling downwards. A modification will be needed to facilitate the side-by-side pair needed for the Kadee magnets, which have to pull the droppers sideways. A test rig will be required, which will be started next.
Typical train movements discussed:
Only small locomotives will enter the building and yard beyond. This could be a dedicated company loco, or a pilot located at the engine shed.
It is assumed that the main delivery to the factory is
blocks of stone from the quarry. These could be in the same wagons as the
crushed stone, or in 2-plank wagons identified previously. In either case, 2 or
3 wagons could be added to trains coming down from the quarry (6/7 wagon fiddle yard max.). Trains dropping
off these wagons will need a pilot to shunt the wagons into the yard and onward
to the fiddle yard beyond.
Dedicated trains might also be employed for train’s up to a
maximum of 7 open wagons. The real capacity of the mason’s
factory has not been determined/fixed so trains may change with operation and use.
Empty wagons would need to be returned to the quarry. These
can be brought out of the fiddle yard with a pilot and left in the yard to be
added to a train by its loco.
The factory will probably require coal and other materials,
which are likely to be supplied directly via the interchange down the line. With
the magnets proposed, these wagons can be positioned anywhere in the train and
shunted by the delivery loco into the yard. A pilot can then be employed to
move the wagons further into the factory and fiddle yard.
