Mosslanda: Defiance - inlaid turnout…
The ‘challenge’ in modelling this latest Mosslanda based layout was inlaid track in N, especially a turnout. I like these small projects to have something I’ve not tried before to give them some impetus and energy to move from sketchbook to reality, and with a ‘spare’ Code 55 turnout from Peco here in the workshop, as threatened yesterday, I could start straight away…
Peco N scale track is from a time of steam roller flanges and pizza cutter rims. This results in deep and wide flangeways that contribute to un-realistic ‘frog drop’ where modern finer wheels drop as they cross the gap between closure rails and frog. I described some modifications to a Peco turnout in a previous post to improve some of these areas - this work builds upon that turnout.
I considered British finescale track but the American models are not as keen on Code 40, especially the slightly older locomotives. The other option, I figured, was Arlas as I’ve not tried this before - and I must pick up a turnout for evaluation at some point. These look to have a slightly finer tolerance but a wider rail profile. Give and take…
But the Peco Code 55 N scale (finescale) turnout was here - some scraps of 30thou styrene from the parts box and some 15thou micro-strip plus careful cutting resulted in the above test. I removed the outer check rails, and set the left had piece at 5mm wide (because of the distance between closure rails at the tiebar) and 6mm at the frog end. The result was quite satisfying. Certainly from viewing angles, passable.
The result (above right, and top) is pleasing and captures the feel of the prototype nicely despite the clunky rail profile and compromise of using a pre-made turnout. Whilst the paint is likely to rub off this part if I’m not careful with the track rubber, it is easily re-touched. So, this is a success… next up a turnout mechanism to work in a Mosslanda shelf, and mimic the prototype. Watch this space! Until next time, more soon…
But the prototype has a metal gridding over the tiebar, and I wasn’t happy with the infill at the tiebar end of the turnout. I carefully cut this back, and added a 6mm wide piece at the toe of the turnout. The gap received a piece of folded metal mesh, which looked a little coarse (left below). I looked though my old etch box, stumbling upon some Kaslo shops bonnet door grilles from the RS23 kit, these were about 5.5mm square, and 3 (with one cut down) worked across the top of the previous mesh…
Support my work
I love writing and creating material for the blog. If you enjoy what you read and engage with I would be appreciative of any donation, large or small, to help me keep it advert and restriction free. Alternatively, feel free to buy me a coffee, where regular memberships start from just £1.
This is an object lesson in planning to view the layout at near scale eye-level, and not from a helicopter. As previously suggested, look at the model as if looking over a low fence while sitting on your bike. The gap between rail and the infill of inlaid track is minimised.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. Yes definitely a factor in what is acceptable, as in I can live with Peco rather than finer flangeways - but, neatness is still imperative - this is N after all…
DeleteThis has come out nicely, James, and I expect it'll look even better once it's installed.
ReplyDeleteI've experimented with the Atlas Code 55 turnouts a bit...something I found is that they can be quite fragile, one that I laid for a test decided to stop passing current in one direction due to failure of a (welded?) joint between the rail and what it's supposed to be connected to, for example. I think this can be sorted, but it's worth watching for.
Simon.
Thanks Simon - I think I’ll buy one to check out at some point but I’m pleased I could make use of this Peco example this time!
DeleteNicely done James.
ReplyDeleteWhat caught my eye in the proto pic are the variety of textures and colours in the doors, walls, concrete foundations & road surface.
In O you could go to town - in N, it will be more about colour than texture!
DeleteLooks good James, food for thought there. Mind you, Penpont goods won't have any points!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tom. The turnout is necessary as the fiddle sector on Night Shift was a little less satisfactory than I had hoped, so this allows just a simple single track.
DeletePenpont Bridge will reward some British Finescale bull-head…
Nice work. As you said, I think this is going to be a study in controlling the viewing angle. For me the things that always takes away from model street running track is not so much the cap between the inside of the rail and the road surface, its the depth you often see below the road surface. That space between the ties. I wonder if pressing track into clay or some sort of glue could fill that? If you can keep the viewing angle shallow and always from the side maybe not an issue.
ReplyDeleteYes - in this case you won’t ever be able to look down into the gap… I think if I was doing it properly I’d lay some track using just a few copper clad sleepers… then use plaster over it all… turnouts though will always be a problem.
DeleteThis is so good from my view, James. Thank you for showing your experiments. The taking out if the check rails was good to know about. The grill has worked really well too. Great layout concept. Finding these prototypes is fantastic
ReplyDeleteThank you - I’m glad it has encouraged you, hope you can find some inspiration for perhaps your own layout?!
DeleteDefinitely!
DeleteGood luck!
Delete