Small layout platform.

[joe123]

Hi Folks. What size station platform could you put on a very small layout 10ft x 3ft. 00 gauge. 1.76 scale. If you could give me the length and width please. would be most grateful. Thanks.

[Glenderg]

Joe,

 

I'm assuming it's a roundy roundy with those dimensions. At a minimum 2 feet will be eaten up at either end for the curves, but a MK3 will oversail the curve much earlier. I would say a conservative guesstimate would be no longer than 4 feet/1200mm. This will accommodate a 201 and three coaches. Width should be around 3 inches/ 76mm at a height of 1 inch / 25mm above baseboard level.

 

That make sense?

 

R

[jhb171achill]

Assuming 3ft is wide enough for the curves at the ends....?

 

If the layout was intended to be something like a small country terminus or a branch line type of setting, platforms as short as two carriage lengths were to be seen here and there.

[joe123]

Thanks lads, that's a help.

[DiveController]

How about this, storage sidings at the rear behind the back scene. Small loco yard with a fuel point.

 

I wouldn't put much more in than this as it will start to look like a train set.

 

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Were you still thinking along these lines? You might squeeze in a platform at the front for longer stock with shorter stock/trains on the inner passing loop if you move the loco yard siding a shade to the left.

 

However, these curves are basically too tight for MkIII stock and 201s and will look odd as the rolling stock overhang the curves severely. You'd do better with stock no longer than a MK2, with 071 or preferably 141 (or 121 class for release end of this year) or smaller steam

Edited February 4, 2016 by DiveController

[Dave]

Were you still thinking along these lines? You might squeeze in a platform at the front for longer stock with shorter stock/trains on the inner passing loop if you move the loco yard siding a shade to the left.

 

However, these curves are basically too tight for MkIII stock and 201s and will look odd as the rolling stock overhang the curves severely. You'd do better with stock no longer than a MK2, with 071 or preferably 141 (or 121 class for release end of this year) or smaller steam

 

The radius on that curve is slightly smaller than radius 2. Mk 3 coaches will go around them and 201'see will too.

[Noel]

It depends on the era of passenger stock Joe wishes to operate. There is a more wiggle room if using Cravens, Laminates and Bredin length coaches and in that era it was common to see 2 and 3 coach trains operate. However mk2 and mk3 coaches are a significantly longer and also tended to be operated in 8 (or 6) coach fixed rake formations, which if even run in 5 coach model rakes might look out of place with short station platforms and tight radius curves. The space joe has would work really well with the likes of 141, two cravens and a GSV.

[David Holman]

The basic rule for good visual effect is that a train needs to have a run of three times its own length to look sensible. So, if a 10' straight is what you have, then max train length should be 30". Platform widths were a minimum of 6' in the real world, with 12' preferable.

[jhb171achill]

Noel's idea of 141s and Cravens is an excellent one.

[Mayner]

The type of layout really depends on whether you prefer to watch the trains going by or shunting The 3' width is very tight for an oval and virtually restricts you to Set-track 1st and 2nd radius curves rather than the 2' minimum radius recommend for Peco flexible track.

 

One option might be to model a small suburban station with short platforms on a double track line similar to Cork-Cobh, with the sharp curves at either end disguised by a tunnel, bridge or deep cutting. This would leave you around 6' for the station area, most Cobh line stations had a single short goods siding, several had staggered platforms which would make an interesting feature. A platform length of 2'6" to 3' X 2" width would look ok for the usual 141/181 or 001 & 2-3 coach Craven, Laminate or Park Royal. The occasional non-stop Boat Train or freight would add to the interest.

 

If you prefer freight stock and shunting forget the station 10'X1'6" would be more than enough for a shunting plank, loco depot or small freight yard.