Barnstaple

This is my current proposal for Barnstaple. The run round loop can accommodate four coaches which is the maximum that one loco was allowed on the prototype. Any more would overpower the garden.

At the end of the loop the left hand track runs into the exchange siding with the SR line to Ilfracombe. I should have space on that for a couple of coaches or a few wagons. The right hand track will run round the garden on its way to Lynton. Somewhere I hope to include a passing loop and a representation of Pilton Works for rolling stock storage.

The location for Barnstaple is against the fence at ground level. There will be some O gauge storage sidings above it. These may need to tip up a bit. I have started to clear the shrubs against the fence as witnessed by the garden fork!

Update: 9 July 2017

I am making good progress with clearing the site for Barnstaple as shown below. It starts at the garden shed. The plan is based on the prototype but I have had to reduce the run round loop to 4 coaches. At the far end the transfer siding is to the left and will continue for a bit under the O gauge. The main line will pass under the O gauge and continue alongside it to the right. Eventually I plan to install O gauge storage sidings to the left of Barnstaple and extending a few inches over the top. There will be space to include part of Barnstaple platform and canopy as a backdrop.

The white beams came from my old conservatory roof. The nearest one just marks the edge of the "baseboard". Of the further two, the right hand one follows a level path whereas the left hand one follows the garden slope. When I get my first engine I will experiment to see if it will handle 4 coaches on that slope.

I plan to lay the release crossover in the foreground on the recycled plastic base. It covers a manhole and needs to be removable. The rest will be laid on concrete.

4 September 2018 - Progress

My Accucraft engines, Leo and Taw, have arrived and tests showed that the planned gradient down the garden was well within their capability so I have started to lay the concrete base as shown below.

The track base for Barnstaple is complete. I hope the weather will hold for long enough to reach the bottom left hand corner and the loop for Chelfham. That will enable me to run from one loop to the other and run round at each end.

The concrete base is approx 100mm x 100mm cross section and sits on tamped earth. I have been advised that this is likely to crack and break up. I haven't come up with any solutions for that and decided to persevere with my fingers crossed. However I have introduced an expansion joint each time I lay a new section. Time will tell!