I have been thinking about constructing a HO model of Wagga for
around 20 years, but until recently it has been not possible. Well, I
hope to shortly embark on what will be probably my last sizeable layout once I get
the room prepared.
The size of the room - is 9 metres, by 6 metres (less a
kitchenette) - and reside in the back half of my garage. It will consist
of 2 decks, and staging.
- The upper deck will be a representation of the Tumbarumba branchline,
including Ladysmith, Borambla, Humula, and Tumbarumba stations,
- The lower deck will be the mainline - running from Shepards Siding,
Bomen, Murrumbidgee River (bridge), Wagga, and Wagga Stockyards.
The mainline will run from Junee staging, to Albury Staging - both stub
ended staging years. The mainline staging lead-in tracks can also be
connected, to form a continous run. Technically, the layout is known as
a "X Factor" design - something that Tony Koester mentioned in
Model Railroad Planning (2009?)
I have not yet firmly settled on layout height - but the main deck will
be approx 1 metre above the floor, and the branch 50 cm above that.
Timeframe for operations is approx 1970, but I am not going to be too
picky here, If I like a feature, or a train, then I most likely will
incorporate it.
Construction (once the room is finished) will be Staging yards - fully
tested, and then the lower deck. The upper deck is planned, but not
needed initially. The branch will include the sidings of the Wagga Shunt,
and the rest of the branch may initially be staging.
Keen observers may notice that I have had to mirror image a number of
the stations. Shepards Siding, Bomen, Ladysmith, and Tumbarumba. I
have tried to stagger the positions of all stations on the upper desk to
not impact the one below. Radius of curves will be 75cm for the main, and
60cm for the branch. Gradients on the mainline are gentle, but a bit more
for the branch - I do not know if I will need more than one loop on the helix
for instance,.
Operations are utmost in the design. The signal frame at Wagga
will need a full time position, but the 56 lever frame that I have already
built will get used. Local shunting engine at Wagga serving all sidings
in Wagga area, Mainline trains are either through trains, or
dropoff goods at Wagga, and Bomen. Railmotor passenger trains to
Albury, Griffith, Tumbarumba and Kywong all terminate at Wagga. Engine
only movements (Junee to the out-depots of The Rock, and Albury). Goods train
operation to Tumbarumba - fruit, timber, stock trains, general freight.
Wheat trains to Shepards Siding, and Ladysmith silos. Mainline
trains will run from staging yard to staging yard, without needing to shunt at
either end. The advantage of the X factor design, is that resetting
staging for the next operating session is possible by simply reversing the
trains across the hidden crossover tracks. (There is a void in the corner
behind the Murrumbidgee river bridge as a non operating position to manage this
process outside an operation session.)
The model itself (pictures) is built to a 1/33.3 scale in card - and is
more of a proving concept than an accurate model. Already it has shown up some
pinch points in the isle between Wagga, and Shepards Siding (is 50cm - I want
75cm,) so there is still some adjustments which may reduce the isle width near
the kitchenette wall. The width of the stations( as well as the
trackplan) will undergo tweaking too - and I hope to learn XDTrak Cad for the
detailed design. But, as a first step, the 3D model does what I need it
to, as well as give my partner Tracy, something that she can understand.
It may take a decade to build, and
another to scenic properly, but I think it is always great to dream.
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