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Test Track

 

 

The club’s test track has proved to be extremely useful and popular.  It was completed in 2001 and includes continuous circuits for 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 16.5mm and 18.83 gauges and O and G scales.  As there are no points and crossings on the tracks, the 18.83 mm gauge track is also suitable for testing EM rolling stock. The test track allows members to test rolling stock – especially haulage capabilities, slow running and  running in.

It does of course allow other activities such as running trains of outrageous length and testing objects which really only qualify as rail vehicles because they have flanged wheels.  It tends to be in great demand on club nights!

It is a series of concentric ovals with outside dimensions of about 11m x 5m (36ft x 16ft) built round the inside perimeter of the club hut.  The tracks are laid with the wider gauges outside, except that to save space the 16.5mm and 12mm share a mixed scale track and the 18.83mm track is laid down the centre of the G track.  Other than this, the tracks provide enough clearance (usually!) for simultaneous use of the different gauges.  The radius at the corners is about x for the 6mm track up to y for the G scale and 18.83mm.  Control is from the club’s own hand-built hand-held controllers; DCC control is available.

 It has proved to be extremely reliable, and only a few adjustments have been needed to it since it was built.

  

 

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Last updated 06/06/2006