Inside Views

MRE Inside views

1. “A transfer table” staging yard

Linke Seite des Schattenbahnhofs von oben

Einfahrt in den Schattenbahnhof, linke Seite

Rechte Seite des Schattenbahnhofs von oben und vorne

Rechte Seite des Schattenbahnhofs von oben

Concept:

The concept was developed after the place was available to made it possible to add 6 tracks below the existing layout segments. With normal Trix turnouts for 6 siding tracks on a single track line there was no more usable track length available.

After checking different concepts, the optimal solution was a transfer table with 6 tracks each 1.6 meters long connected with two turnouts to a single track line. Three tracks are served on each side by one track whereby the entire transfer table box must be shifted only 3 cm for each track. As additional benefit the tracks can be placed more closely together than this would be possible with the old Trix Express track system.

Actual situation:

After moving the layout in 2001 the last time to a new location, the track layout was completely changed to fit a operation on two levels.

The upper level is now build by the existing three segments with Moosbach station, and the staging yard Zwiebelsbach, the sawmill segment and

two additional new segments showing the river with two bridges and the hill with castle Motzberg.

The new lower level is connected over a ramp and helix with 3% grading with 40cm elevation difference.

Station Nuschelstadt and the transfer table yard are in a loop of the line to operate again point to point. Rheinheim is served by trains from Nuschelstadt.

The loop operation needs only a one track helix and enables trains from the transfer table a non-stop run over the layout back to their dedicated track.

Construction:

The three segments of Moosbach station are mounted on a solid wooden construction made of beams. The accurate elevation of the construction was adjusted with a laser and adjustable screw feet's under the posts.

The self made helix with a radius of 430 mm is hanging in the rack mounted in an own framework. The helix is accessible from two sides and from beneath. In now five years of operation the helix is working without any problem.

The helix and the staging yard are already provided with a overhead wire made of 0.5 mm silver wire to connect later the line on the new segments after finishing the landscape.

Operation:

The process to operate the staging yard is as simple as possible.

1. Choose track, unlock the bolts of the sliding bridge with a single trigger and move to the chosen track.

2. For monitoring the position a panel is located beneath the layout and shows the status of the lock bolts, the position of the turnouts and the status of each track with Leds.

3. Choose the connection tracks corresponding to the siding by pressing a single button for each track.

4. Power on the chosen track segment with the corresponding switch and start the train to leave in direction Moosbach or Nuschelstadt

The pictures are showing the situation with the sliding yard table and the connection to the line with two tracks on each side.

The blue marks on the wall mounted rails are defining the lowest point of the upper level segments.

The distance of 17 cm between is enough for possible interfering for troubleshooting.

The maximum train length of 1.6 meter in the yard is limiting the train weights and helps the engines to run the trains on the ramp to the upper level with enough resources.

Also shown on the left picture is the segment head connection on the upper level.

The segments are connected together with M8 bolts and screws

Trains with a concept:

Trains in the staging yard are normally thru going trains which are not stopping or ending at Nuschelstadt or Moosbach.

Example:

· E112 with 5 Ade passenger coaches ,

· E50 with 11 wagons lumber train

· 2 x V36 with 13 wagons Essen Om

· V200 with 12 tank wagons

· VT 11.5 Helvetia diesel train

· V218 with 9 ballast cars Omm

To interfere with the local trains from Moosbach to Nuschelstadt and Rheinheim the sidings along the line at Marbach/ Neckar bridge, block tower 21 und Bad Moosbach are designed for these train sizes.

The six additional tracks in the yard have increased the fun and complexity to operate the layout with a additional mix of thru going trains to take care of.

The upper level segments are build in open grid construction, the lower level segments are typically made table like with a supporting frame beneath the table plate.

The upper picture of the bridge segment shows the construction with a grid frame work made of 35 x 35 mm girders with 60 x 20 mm girders on each side. The tracks are laid on 10mm plywood on the grid and the covering plate. This different construction of this segment was necessary to protect the staging yard beneath from construction material falling off the upper level. The picture below shows the situation in September 2007.

All visible turnouts along the MRE line are powered by hidden switching machines beneath the surface

The picture on the left is showing two switching machines at Rheinheim Station. Each machine is powering one turnout including a additional special electrofrog enabling 2-track rolling stock operation on Trix Express Tracks.

For a safe operation components from RC modeling are proven to guarantee years of operation.

The two pictures below are showing the two turnouts at Rheinheim station. The special electrofrogs are kits from Mr. Hess to enable

2-track system wheels on the old Trix-Express tracks.

An idea come true:

The idea to this unusual solution to build a staging yard on a transfer table was developed after the first move of the layout in 1989. After seven years of operation (!) the staging yard Zwiebelsbach with 4 sidings under the station of Moosbach was too small.

MRE is designed for point to point operation where at the beginning Zwiebelsbach was used in a loop as destination from Moosbach.

With four trains in Zwiebelsbach, one in Moosbach and one on the track the operation was in a dead lock.

After moving of the layout to a new location, I was checking the possibility to insert another staging yard.

2.Segment Construction

3. Switching machines

Trix Express Weiche mit zusätzlihcer Herstückzunge für 2-L Betrieb

The construction of the segments allows with accurate planning a solid construction with minimum weight. Each Segment can be transported by a single man. Construction, ongoing electrical changes and maintenance on the electric wiring and the turnouts be easy done by turning the segments bottom face in front for a very convenient work.

Untere Ebene

Trix and Trix-Express are trade marks and registered trade marks of Trix Modelleisenbahn GmbH & Co. KG, Göppingen/Germany. Trade marks or product names mentioned are trade marks or registered trade marks of the respective owners.