Minories Layout: Trap points

Any questions about designing a model railway layout or problems with track work.
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pete12345

Minories Layout: Trap points

Post by pete12345 »

My layout is based around a slightly modified Minories terminus. I've added a loop from the incoming line directly into the third platform, and extended the loco spur into a short fourth platform:
Image
One thing I hadn't considered until now is the correct positioning of trap points. I think I need one from the loco spur/platform 4 to prevent moves onto the outbound line. But do I need any more? I was thinking potentially another might be needed in the platform 3 loop (adjacent to Thomas) to protect the inbound main line. Platform 3 itself is protected by the kickback siding.
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Bufferstop
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Re: Minories Layout: Trap points

Post by Bufferstop »

Whatever the rules say one wouldn't look wrong, but you could always put in a point and create a loco spur. If you do put in a trap point be sure it deflects to the right, ie away from the running lines.
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Bigmet
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Re: Minories Layout: Trap points

Post by Bigmet »

The kickback siding needs a trap point to prevent incorrect movement onto the 3 way* point.

It would be helpful to understanding if platforms locations were indicated.

*And a suggestion, hurl the 3 way point into the outer darkness, it's a no-good space saver for facing direction operation. There's room enough to have a LH then RH point which will work reliably.
pete12345

Re: Minories Layout: Trap points

Post by pete12345 »

I was thinking to ditch the 3-way anyway as it isn't that reliable and the polarity switching can be problematic. A left-hand followed by a large Y off to the siding would give the best angles.

The platforms are 4 furthest left, 1, 2, 3. So then, we need:
-- Left-hand trap exiting platform 4.
-- Right-hand trap exiting the loop to the inbound line, or a normal point to a loco spur/brake van siding. A siding could be modelled as overgrown, semi-derelict and used mostly as a trap. But it would then shorten the run-round loop if worked with the far point; local trains would likely have to propel onto the running line and run the loco round in the loop rather than the other way round.
-- Left-hand trap exiting the kickback siding to platform 3.
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