Staging Plans
Quite a bit of progress has occurred on my model railway over the past few days, including the installation of all track on the primary two modules of the layout, though I have been remiss about posting about this progress. However, the next major project for the layout is the staging module. This is necessary before I proceed any further, mostly as I can't operate the layout until the staging module is attached as it serves as a yard lead/tail track. While the main part of the layout is now semi-permanently installed, the staging module has to be detached from the layout after each operating session, as it blocks the door to the room.
The idea for this staging module comes from Rick De Candido's Fillmore Avenue Roundhouse blog. Specifically, I plan to use the idea for the tray assembly from his Staging Cassette Mk1 post to form the main part of the staging area. I also plan to use cassettes of some sort to finish of the staging area.
I did, however, make a few modifications to the plan, such as extending the face/connection plate to five inches long rather than four, and I decided to use a 1x3 inch board instead of a 1x4 for the main part of the tray, mostly because I have a number of surplus 1x3 boards around, so there was no point in purchasing new lumber.
I made a scale drawing of a side view of the staging tray with dimensions for the version that will be constructed for the layout, in case anyone wants to make a version of it (or in case I lose the actual drawing at some point). All dimensions on the drawing are in inches.
At this point, I hope to complete construction of this section by the end of the week. Presumably, it will work, but there is a chance that the 24 inch long tray length will be to long to stably cantilever out from the layout. At any rate, I'll post more on this when there is some progress on this project.
The idea for this staging module comes from Rick De Candido's Fillmore Avenue Roundhouse blog. Specifically, I plan to use the idea for the tray assembly from his Staging Cassette Mk1 post to form the main part of the staging area. I also plan to use cassettes of some sort to finish of the staging area.
I did, however, make a few modifications to the plan, such as extending the face/connection plate to five inches long rather than four, and I decided to use a 1x3 inch board instead of a 1x4 for the main part of the tray, mostly because I have a number of surplus 1x3 boards around, so there was no point in purchasing new lumber.
I made a scale drawing of a side view of the staging tray with dimensions for the version that will be constructed for the layout, in case anyone wants to make a version of it (or in case I lose the actual drawing at some point). All dimensions on the drawing are in inches.
At this point, I hope to complete construction of this section by the end of the week. Presumably, it will work, but there is a chance that the 24 inch long tray length will be to long to stably cantilever out from the layout. At any rate, I'll post more on this when there is some progress on this project.
Hi Sam,
ReplyDeleteYou are pioneering this design; no doubt you will learn much as you build and use the cassette tray. I am very interested in your thoughts as you go along. Knowing your thoroughness as a planner, you have probably reviewed the types of cars (and their lengths) that you plan to host at North Toronto Team Tracks.
How did you arrive at the cassette length of 22-1/2"?
What are these cars (have you any specifically in mind)?
I think you will have the locomotive loaded in the cassette along with the cars. Dismounting the cassette with the locomotive (and cars, if any) to bring it to a table for safe unloading and loading of the next set of cars I think is a smart thing to do.
Any thoughts on how you will work with the cassette?
You probably know this already, but in case it slipped by, the Mk 2 cassette uses a 1x3 tray and the cassette design makes for a simpler and less expensive build.
Best Wishes
Rick
Hi Rick,
DeleteI have to admit that there wasn't much planning behind the 22-1/2 length - I happened to have a piece of 1x3 that was that length and that was conveniently close to 24 inches in length.
I plan to use a few fifty foot boxcars, a few older 40 foot boxcars, and some 40 foot open top hoppers for the layout's equipment roster. The cassettes should hold the S2, a caboose, and 2 cars, which is about the maximum amount of traffic I imagine the team tracks saw by the late '70s. With the cassette attached, there will be a lead track on the layout with space for a locomotive, a caboose, and 4 cars, which should be sufficient for any switching.
For handling the cassette, the layout will almost always be operated only by myself, and for short times, so I plan to load the cassette off layout, put it in place, and then remove it after the end of a session to have its contents changed. I don't plan on using multiple cassettes or removing and replacing the same cassette (but with different stock) during an operating session.
I missed (or forgot) that you had changed the width of the tray in your second post, so thanks for bringing that to my attention.
-Sam