Narrow Gauge is growing again
The legendary
John
Allen's
Gorre & Daphetid
layout incorporated both a standard gauge line and a narrow
gauge line, and his plans where to have more narrow gauge trackage
than he ultimately did. But he ceased expansion of his narrow
gauge line, stating that it was too much to try to do both, that to
let both flourish, one would always be vying for resources with the
other. Here at APN, we too had a larger plan for the narrow
gauge, but like John Allen's layout, the narrow gauge was taking
away resources from the standard gauge, and was also creating
complications in several overlapping areas, on how to realistically
scenic a problematic track configuration. So we took down a
section of narrow gauge mainline that connected the narrow gauge "high line" with
the narrow gauge line that runs at normal layout height, creating
two non-contiguous runs of narrow gauge right-of-way. This
decision was made easier in light of the fact that the club only had
a few true narrow gauge modelers (and none that model it
exclusively), and one of those had left the club. And the
truth be known, seeing a train running on either of the 2 narrow
gauge lines is a rarity.
The introduction of
Blackstone's K-27 narrow gauge 2-8-2 Mikado "mudhen"
has rekindled the interest of at least one other member since
that section of NG track was removed, and after a flurry of new activity the 2 narrow gauge lines
have been reconnected by a 2-3 turn helix, with a 5% grade.
This is not overly
excessive for narrow gauge engines, which typically pull very short
trains.
With the helix in place plans
are being made to utilize the narrow gauge line in future operating session.
Below are some scenes from APN's HOn3 narrow gauge
line
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A shay leads a train on the high line
Its sister Shay traversing a trestle on Mundwiller switchback
A mudhen at the Meyer Junction passenger depot
Meyer Junction, an interchange between the narrow gauge and the
standard gauge
Lumberjacks at work on Pistol Hill
Pistol Hill
More scenes on Pistol Hill
The water tower at Meyer Junction
A "Galloping Goose" at Meyer Junction
Here is the helix support frame, with roadbed and track being
glued in place. The curve radius is 15.75"
Here is where the helix was installed, inside a reverse loop
on the layout level narrow gauge
mainline track. A turnout was cut into the track in
the left foreground, and track was extended
from its diverging route into a spiral up a 5°
grade about 12" to the upper level of the narrow
gauge mainline, shown against the wall.
Richard doing some switching to make room for the "Goose" Mike
is bringing up the switchback
Pistol Hill
January Falls trestle
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