Clearances on miniature railways

[jbuckley]

I am curious as to the minimum standard (if there is one) between the railway lines to lessen the risk of passengers being able to touch objects or other people as they ride the trains.
My reason for asking is that I had been working on allowing a minimum of 1 mtr. each side of the train to prevent passengers from being able to touch buildings etc as they went past.
I was prepared to reduce that distance on entering and leaving the station where the uprights will be for the station roof.
All comments will greatfully accepted.
Cheers John B

[Tel]

Is there anything laid down in the AALS manual John?

[JohnP]

I think that (in the UK) the HSE have some recommended clearances, but I don't think they are mandatory (that may be for existing lines, I guess it's prudent to build new to the recommendations).

For 2 lines where trains might pass, I think that clearance should be so generous that it is obvious that passengers on passing trains can't touch eachother, on the basis that they are less likely to try!

Things worthconsidering are:-
1) Are the passengers general public?
2) Do you always run with a guard?
3) What control does the guard have - can he stop the train quickly if required?

JohnP

[IP]

Hi,

I agree with John P regarding the rules for existing permanent fixtures, my understanding is that the one metre rules applies to new features........a quick call to the local HSE office would provide a definative answer, one I'm sure we'd all be interested in.

Regards,

IP

[jbuckley]

Thanks to everyone who has replied to my enquiry. There is no Australian standard as such. I will look up the HSE one.
I think that my original value of a metre each side of centre will be the way to go.
I will reduce that down wheere the trains come into the station as speed will not be an issue. I will be having a safety rail between the platform trains and those going straight through on the mains.
The railway is a project that has taken up 7-8 years of my time battling through all the various government departments' hoops. When it is all finished (if I live long enough) the total length will be in the order of 1.8 klms.
It will all be done in stages from an initial circle with passing loop to a major loop that will see an overhead bridge over two lines with a viaduct that will be about 3-4 metre off the ground.
Once again thanks for the various points of view.
John B

[ewal]

Going slightly off subject John, what track are you laying & are you making your points?

E.W.

[jbuckley]

The track will be all ground level and will be constructed of flat MS bar 25 x 12 & 25 x 10mm welded on their edge to 50 x 6mm flat bar.
The heavier bar is used as a common for the smaller gauges (3 1/2 & 5") and the heavier bar will be on the outside edges for the 7 1/4".
To start off with all the gauges will be teogether for initial circle to get us up and running.
Then the track will revert to 5 and 7 1/4".
The points that I am constructing are stub point. These are where a whole section ( about 10'6") will slide from one section of trach to the offset. The points will be made in both lh and rh. In the initial stage they will be manually operated but we will change to pneumatics as money becomes available.
The total amount of works to be undertaken to get the project finished is rather daunting. However, it has all been designed in stages to allow each stage to add to the running area as well as buildings which will cater for toilets & showers etc so we can have weekend open days.
I will get a couple of photos of the proposed area on Monday and put them up for all to see. I will try and get a photo of the plans as well so you can have a bo peep.
Regards, JB

[Tel]

Be interested to see 'em John, but by the sound of it I might'a made the wise choice going for Ga1- ;D ;D

[jbuckley]

I did not get up to the site yesterday. I will see what happens today. I have to get up there and do some spot marking to get an idea of how the buildings etc will look when laid out.
I start the "singing for my supper" tomorrow night with one of the local Lions Clubs. I have been invited to to go along as a guest speaker (heaven help them having to listen to me) to talk about the proposal.
I know Tel. I will have to do a lot of scrubbing with SOAP and water and find a shirt and tie to wear.
It will be a good chance to test the ater so to speak.