No.77 At a Junction

From the Branch Terminus described in my last Post, the single line crosses a short viaduct to arrive at an ‘end on’ junction station where the BR(WR) branch makes a connection with another single track BR(LMR) line.


The Branch Junction – a blend of Scaledale and Scenecraft

This is one of my favourite track layouts and provides lots of play value with three loops for passing and storage, together with a small goods yard and locomotive facilities. There is also a long siding which doubles as both a ‘head shunt’ and storage for a whole train (in this case Airfix Esso tankers).


The Branch Junction Track Layout


The track layout is purely imaginary but provides for an island platform with a BR(WR) face and a BR(LMR) face, together with a goods loop. The minimum radius for the station platforms is around 5ft.


BR(LMR) train terminating - just imagine the grass!

First a view at the branchline end of the station with a BR(LMR) train terminating at the station (The old LMS / LNWR did not have running rights through to the branch terminus.) The engine is an old favourite dating originally from the 1980s. It is a bit of a hybrid, being a Mainline Amethyst body on a newer Bachmann chassis.


Ex Mainline Jubilee Amethyst

The coaches are a five coach rake of Bachmann Mk1s close coupled with Hornby R8220 couplings. There are four rakes of coaches available for this service. As well as the Bachmann Mk1s, there are two rakes of Bachmann panelled coaches, one in BR maroon and one in crimson and cream, and a rake of Hornby Staniers in crimson and cream (all three rakes with Mainline 50ft full brakes).

BR(LMR) train departing

This time a view of the BR(LMR) train ready for departure. The train engine is a Bachmann ex LMS ‘Crab’. The ‘junction’ doesn’t possess a turntable so ideally trains are handled by 4MT locomotives that are able to run tender first in one direction. The Jubilees are barred from running tender first and have to be sent away to be turned elsewhere (the reversing loop).
BR(WR) train arriving

The other side of the island platform is for BR(WR) trains travelling through to the terminus. The view above shows a ‘fast’ train hauled by a Bachmann Hall - ‘Mere Hall’.

Overview showing curved platform layout and Goods Loop

In addition to the two platform roads the station has a goods loop which doubles as an engine run round for terminating BR(LMR) trains. The view above shows an unfitted BR(WR) goods train waiting in the loop for the road to the branch terminus.


Bachmann 22xx waiting in the goods loop

Further away from the station the track layout provides for two diverging single lines.

Bachmann 22xx arriving on BR(WR) single track approaching junction with BR(LMR) single track.

The view above shows a BR(WR) branch train headed by a Bachmann 22xx locomotive waiting to come off the single track and enter the station. The BR(LMR) single track is in the centre whilst the tanker train (Airfix Esso Tankers) is stored in the long siding.

The junction

A close up picture of the actual junction. I am tempted to say that the Peco Streamline track (Code 100) ‘scrubs up’ very well in these pictures! The signal box is Bachmann Scenecraft and I think it is a very presentable model of an ex LNWR box.
A view of the junction end of the station with the unfitted freight in the goods loop.

Finally a view looking back to the station platform with the tail end of the BR(WR) unfitted freight visible in the goods loop. The distant engine shed is Scenecraft whilst the water tower is the Hornby Skaledale Model from the Carlisle to Skipton line. 

There seems to be a lot of ex GWR goods engines ‘on shed’ so perhaps the picture was taken on a Sunday?

Comments

Redcap said…
Excellent, again - and a very workable track-plan. In fact, a model-railway - rather than a model of a railway - which I find refreshing. So many are smothered by their rivet-counting outlook IMHO.

Tony. aka Brass0four RMweb.
16 October 2013 at 06:01
longsheds said…
Hello Tony - I like your comments - I am attempting to capture the atmosphere - not to model a photograph.

By the way you win the gold star for being the first person to leave me a comment on 'Blogger'. I post the Blog in the two places because there have been times on RMweb when I have had my confidence tested and have felt the need for a 'back up'. Interestingly I have had 60000 views on RMweb and only around 6000 on Blogger - although seemingly from all over the world.

Speak again

Ray
16 October 2013 at 10:06
longsheds said…
Hello Tony (again)

I have just tried to open 'Redcap' and 'it' wont show me anything - just thought I would let you know.

Regards

Ray
16 October 2013 at 13:30
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