Monday, 29 January 2024

Moving a point

 Since the decision to reroute the main line close to the gazebo, this LH point near the garage is no longer needed in this location, where it had been since June 2023.


The point has been removed, and replaced by straight track and a short (1.5 m) level crossing section for garden maintenance access.

After being turned around to suit the new planned location, the point is loaded on the train ready for relocation.

The new location has been readied including conduit buried in the ballast for 12 V power for electric point operation.

The point in its new position, for now at least.

A check revealed that the passing loop would be too short with the point in the position as per the previous photo, so it was relocated to after the next curve, resulting in a generous length of about 16 m for the passing loop.

To get a good alignment for the next straight section of track, a slight angular adjustment was required.  An existing offcut further cut in half resulted in a curve of about 2.5°.  Note the bolt-on joiner on the right end rather than the usual welded joiner.

Brake Modifications to the New Open Wagons

Both of the new open wagons include electrically-operated parking brakes on one bogie.  Parking brakes are essential as most of the track is...