Walk thru Duck Under

[Bill Pontin]

Walk thru Module

Tired of having to crawl on my knees under the "Duck under" at our NTrak show layouts. Several clubs have a lift type gate, but I wanted to be different, guess that is what happens when you retire and like to play with wood. Still have a ways to go and several bugs to work out, but here is my idea of a Gate Walk Thru.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Sorry posted the wrong picture - here is the gate closed

 

[Bill Pontin]

Here is the gate completly open. 28" wide walk=thru

 

[Bill Pontin]

Using a 45 degree opening so as the cuts will be staggered.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Ignore the Red line, did not have another Atlas re-railer crossing for testing

 

[Bill Pontin]

with gate opening

 

[Bill Pontin]

I can break the entire 4'gate down into four pieces for transporting.

 

[Bill Pontin]

For clamping the towers I used a piece of electrical channel, (don't know what is called) It is 1 and 1/2" wide x 3/4 high. I used 1 1/2" angle barstock bolted to the towers and 1 1/2" flat barstock for clamping.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Here is another view of the tower clamping mechanism.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Still have a long ways to go and some electrical bugs to work out. So far the I am pleased with the strength and alignment of everything. Planning on using some veneer on the gate face to make it look like a bridge. Something like this -

 

[N Gauger]

Great Stuff!!!! Cool Idea!!!

 

[ls1gto]

Sweet! Nice work!

 

[60103]

I was going to say that looks like the heaviest N-trak I've ever seen.
Nice design as it looks as if you can compensate for shrinkage/expansion of the wood.
Will you wire through the electrical channel? Are there controls to keep the trains out of the gap?

 

[zedob]

WOW, that has to be one of the best pieces of benchwork I have ever seen. Come to think of it, it's better than some of the furniture I own. NICE work!:thumb:

Ya have to admire quality work.

 

[SD90]

Great idea! Looks good, I like the idea of using the re-railers for the joint!

 

[ausien]

Nifty idea, Bill a smart idea from a smart man, wish I thought of it... may borrow your brain wave myself....have a good one ..steve

 

[Sir_Prize]

Hmmm.. A few more more pics from the "in progress" and I think it would be Academy worthy. I'd vote for it at this piont.

 

[ezdays]

That is one fine idea and well built.:thumb: I would think that you might want to add a power cutoff switch to remove rail power to the adjacent rails when the gate is open. Just a thought.

 

[Bill Pontin]

Powering the rails will be no problem that I can see. Shutting down rail power, when the gate is open, is where I am stumped. Interlocking the modules electrical connection to the an open gate wouldn't be a problem either. Unfortunately we have some speed demons in the club and a short 10" of dead track before the precipice is insufficient. Ideal solution is with longer hookup leads that connect to the far end of the two adjoining modules. This would require insulating the connecting tracks which is unfeasible.

Been thinking along the lines of hooking up a loud and annoying buzzer or bell when the gate is open.

 

[Ralph]

That's really clever Bill! Had you posted this thread a few years ago the configuration of my layout would be very different today!
Ralph