[Dennis461]

Thinking about cutting a gap in new layout for DC blocks and was just about to cut a gap directly above uncoupling ramp (to get a double header motive power coupled up or split.

Or should the gap be at A or B in picture?
(I realize I can always change it later.)

 

[riogrande]

Two typical methods are razor saw or Dremel with cutoff of wheel

 

[LateStarter]

Not sure that was the question.

 

[DonR]

Not at all clear what you have in mind but I'll go out on
a limb with it any way.

If it is your intent to have the turntable as a block 'T'
then you would have a gap where you have a red line.
But you would also need a gap at 'B' since you say you
want blocks 'Left' and 'Right'. With the gap at 'B' you could
'break' a consist as loco X is in 'R' block and loco 'Y' is
over the uncoupling ramp and in block 'L'. Thus you
could uncouple and move loco 'Y' to the turntable as
loco 'X' remains in block 'R'.

And all that is why so many of us have moved on
to DCC...which would eliminate the whole complex.
You wouldn't need any blocks, or their associated
switches, wires and multiple power packs. Just
2 wires that power all of the tracks in your drawing
with NO gaps.

Don

 

[Dennis461]

OK some more data for you.
Yes, the entire layout is starting to scream for DCC, but I am a cheap, stubborn, railroad tycoon.
I corrected a duplicate block number in earlier pic. The short curve is a seperate block where a short loco could park.


I'm thinking a train comes round the mountain clockwise to end of Block 10.
A second loco will make it's way in reverse to couple onto train to help over the summit. This would couple up with couplers over a gap in the rail between two blocks. Normal DC operation I've done many times.

But now reversing the process (with some imagination) , the train comes round the mountain downhill clockwise to end of Block 10 and has to stop and uncouple the lead locomotive so it can go back to the yard facilities (roundhouse).

Looks like I answered my own question the two locos must be in separate blocks during uncouple, so the gap needs to be right over the uncoupling ramp.

 

[gregc]

i think it would be better that the uncoupler is part of the block the loco be uncoupled is in.

maybe you should cut gaps at both A & B and have a switch to connect the uncoupler block to either adjacent block.

 

[cv_acr]

If it is your intent to have the turntable as a block 'T'
then you would have a gap where you have a red line.

I'm not sure that I would bother creating such a short block there - unless the image is misleading and there's actually enough room to park an engine or two there on a ready track. Then you might want to have a dead block to park an engine.

The turntable itself will be it's own block of course.

 

[DonR]

Dennis

You are right...your gap should be OVER the
uncoupling ramp. You could then stop the 2nd loco
while the lead loco pulls away.

Don

 

[Dennis461]

I'm not sure that I would bother creating such a short block there - unless the image is misleading and there's actually enough room to park an engine or two there on a ready track. Then you might want to have a dead block to park an engine.

The turntable itself will be it's own block of course.

My shortest engine is too long
Now I have a reason to find/rebuild my hustler!