Anyone using a sector plate for their staging, or anyone with experience building or operating with them? As I do some layout design mulling, I'm strongly leaning toward using them. I'd only need 4 tracks on each north and south plate. Best Regards,
Chris, sector plate staging is interesting but generally takes up more lateral space. With only two tracks, the building effort and negatives of moving staging outweigh the potential benefits.
Keith - I was quite puzzled by your reply until I proofread my initial post. I'd only need 4 tracks ea. on 2 sector plates is what I meant to type. I was too hasty and too sloppy. I have since corrected it. A bit more background: this is part of my initial feasibiliting for modeling Clinton, MO and environs. Using a 1945 ETT as a basis, I'd effectively have 2 SB and 2 NB trains. Upon further pondering, I might add an extra track to each N and S sector for lagniappe. My initial operating notes and schemata-in-progress would include off-stage cars destined for the power plant north of the MKT-SLSF interlocking at N. Clinton and S for the track leading to Larabee Mills. I'd also considered a traverser at each end, but with only one moving pivot at the end of a sector plate, I lean more toward the latter. Or perhaps I should say I'm pivoting toward the latter. Really need to finish sketching the actual dimensions of the land grant, as Doug Hughes has called layout space previously. I'd like to keep the interlocking pretty true to its 90-degree crossing, but that leads me to think that the North Clinton Yard will be curved around one corner of the room. Blechhh. Hopefully others here with more creativity than I will have suggestions. More to come for a broader thread, hopefully in the near future. Best Regards,
