question about a lift gate....

[trainsteve2435]

hello all, im considering adding a swing up gate to my layout, but im not sure how to do it. the space i need one is around a 45 degree turn. is it possible to have a swing gate in a place like this? i thought they had to be installed in a straight section. how wide should one be also? any information concerning this is appreciated. thanks!

 

[shaygetz]

They can be installed on a curve, it's just much easier to do in on the straight. I'll be looking thru some back issues of MR magazine to find some articles on ones built in the past.

 

[trainsteve2435]

thanks shaygetz, i really appreciate the effort. im not much of a carpenter, but i think i can do it with some help. thanks again!

 

[Fred_M]

In my head I can see how building a hinged lift in a curve could be easier. Mount the hinge pin at or above track level and have the cut out section lift the other side at a 90 degree angle to the hinges. No binding problems. Build a pin and tapered slot guide plate to realign the track when its closed on the lifting side, the hinges will keep the hinged end aligned. That should work fine. Have you already laid the track? If not screw in flathead brass screws under the track and solder it to the screw heads. Then when you cut the track at the interface the screws at each side keep it in perfect alignment. Fred

 

[trainsteve2435]

thanks fred, for the information. no, i havent laid the track there yet. im not quite sure what you mean by useing screws and soldering the rail to them. do you have a picture of what your talking about? thanks!

 

[Fred_M]

No pictures, but at the joints you put a brass flat head screw on each side under each rail about 1/4 inch from where the cut will be. You do this carefully so that the rail just touches the screw head when it's layed. You then solder the track to the screws and then cut the track with a dremel. The screws will keep the track in perfect alignment. It's an old trick from wayback. Fred

 

[trainsteve2435]

thanks fred, i think i understand now. now if i could just figure out how to build the lift gate......

 

[TrainClown]

Good thinking Steve. :thumb: Check out this link for the right way to do it.

http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/model-book/liftout/liftout.html

This will help you design your own. If you still need help. Just ask.

TrainClown

 

[trainsteve2435]

thanks TC, that will help me a lot.

 

[shaygetz]

I found an article in the July '90 Model Railroader magazine. If you don't have access to one, I can either email or snail mail a copy to you.

 

[trainsteve2435]

thanks Shaygetz, if you dont care, just e mail it to me. also, here is a picture of the space i need to put the gate, maybe someone has some ideas.

 

[trainsteve2435]

ok, heres the pic. sorry....ops:

 

[shaygetz]

Please send me your email address. While this is for a drop type, all the principles are the same, you may even want to consider it for your particular location.

 

[trainsteve2435]

hey everyone, would anyone have any ideas on how would be the best way to go about building this lift/swing gate? whats really messin me up is that the two ends of the bench work are off set to each other, and im really not that smart when it comes to carpentry work, so any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. thanks everyone!

 

[shaygetz]

How about a drawing that's as accurate as possible? The idea being that your mainline will have to approach the gap from the rear of either side. You may have to mitre the ends somewhat as well.

 

[trainsteve2435]

hello Shaygetz, here is a rough drawing of the benchwork and where i need to put a swing gate. the measurements are pretty much exact, but sorry about the sloppiness.ops: thanks guys, this meens a lot to me!

 

[trainsteve2435]

hello, i guess i should also mention that i want the gate to be 12" wide. thanks!

 

[TrainClown]

I'll have a go at designing you something.

Stay tuned for further developments.

TrainClown

 

[trainsteve2435]

Thank you T.C., i really appreciate it.

 

[TrainClown]

Hi Steve,

Looks like you were busy makin' yer bridge. I can see a few problems with your bridge the way you have made it.

The first thing I see is that you are hinging the bridge on a 45 degree angle. This will mean when the bridge is open it will stick out into the room.

Also I think it is on the large side. Once you get it covered with track and scenery, it's going to only weigh more, and could be un- wealdy and down right dangerous if it was to fall closed by accident.

Here is what I think you should do. Make 2 triangle extensions for the bench (orange on my plan) Then make your bridge square. This will make your tracks line up easier and the bridge wont be to heavy. When it opens, it will be out of the way.

Just what I think.

TrainClown