HO Farrer Siding Foldaway Layout

February 10, 2009

Colin has sent in this summary of his layout progress for publication. Here is Colin’s contribution:
My layout illustrates how a useful size of board can be installed in a very small space and yet allow ease of access and usability.

I had a need for a moderate size track mainly for test purposes but didn’t have a spare room at the time. The solution was to construct a foldaway track in the garage using recycled kitchen panels. I realised that there would be significant problems manhandling what is quite a weight if I simply hinged the back edge of the board to the wall at the appropriate height and had some means of hauling it up out of the way.

The solution was to suspend the board on 2 lengths of timber hinged at each end as shown in pic (Stowed). The hinges on the floor are set out a little way from the wall so that when it is against the wall, the board is ‘overcentre’ and requires no fastening ie it’s weight holds it against the wall. From this position the top of the board is simply pulled outwards until the hinged legs underneath swing down to touch the floor.

A rope and 2 pulleys is then used to lift the back edge up until it is horizontal and 2 sliding bolts lock it into the metal angles each side. One man can do this quite easily despite the considerable weight (the board is approx 1.1 x 1.7 M and has a 110 x 19 timber on 3 sides to stiffen it.

A smaller piece of timber at the front stops expensive controllers from falling onto the concrete garage floor! The height of the perimeter timber also means that the accessories such as signals, buffer stops etc are not damaged when the board is stowed.

This track was built mainly so that I would have a simple layout to test the Locos that I convert and repair for myself and friends. It has 2 interconnected loops and 3 sidings with a selection of accessories although a lot more track could be placed on a board this size. I have completed more than 10 analog to digital conversions of a wide range of Marklin Locos.

The track is usually powered digitally but can be operated conventionally as well. (Not at the same time!!!) Of interest to Marklin enthusiasts, it uses old style M track and accessories. These, eg the points and signals, have been converted, by separating the lights from the solenoid operating supply and running a new wire for the lights to the centre track supply.

The solenoids are supplied from a separate supply via standard Marklin control boxes.
As a result of my conversions and adaptations I can successfully use all my old M track, Locos and accessories with Marklin Digital which should keep me happy until another kid moves out and frees up some space for my larger layout.