Coming over to model railroads from the RC helicopter area (got too old to keep up with my thumbs and eyes). Found this layout in an older Kalmbach magazine, Track Planning Ideas from Model Railroader, and am planning on some changes as I have shown on the attachment. Am planning on enlarging the layout from 30" x 80" to 36" x 84". Not a huge increase but enough to make it a bit more usable. Not planning on all of the track elevation changes that this layout shows but where it shows a 4" rise near the top area of the plan, I might raise it about 1" to 1 1/4" just for some effect. Also plan to increase the radius of the left end of the layout to more mirror the right end. Might also move the crossover to the left of the entrance of the yard. Other than that, feel free to tear it apart as you see fit (go easy on the technical terms as I'm not up on some of these yet). Won't be starting on it until about the first of March as I'm currently wintering in Orlando, FL until late Feb. (working snowbird trip as I also work part time at Walt Disney World but live in Southern Indiana). Steve K
layout welcome to trainboard. there is no runaround in the inside switching area. that will lead to having to back in to get to some industries.
I agree with Spectre3. Need a run around in there. Maybe just before the last switch and after th passenger station towards the left side? Seems to be the best spot for it. Welcome aboard! And have fun!
I likethe subtle curves your have in there to keep it from being a "true" oval. Sometimes the little things make a big difference. One thought in addition to those posted above.... What about incorporating some form of interchange track, thus creating a connection to the "rest" of the world. Perhaps close to the yard? So cars picked up from the industries could be taken to the yard for sorting, then cars leaving the area moved to the interchange. I can try to elaborate if this doesn't make sense.
Thanks, but not sure what's meant by a "runaround". Saw that I would have to back in to the area but I'm pretty much OK with that if I have to. Same thing with "interchange". Sorry for my stupidity but I'm just not up to speed yet on the terms for RR'ing, now helicopters, different story. Still feeling my way through this a bit. Also think I will take out the branch line going to the "textiles" on the right and the one going to "oil co." on the left. Just seemed to be a little bit busy and congested for a first time layout and I could put a bit more scenery in there instead. Trying to hold down to no more than 10 to 12 switches total.
A run around allows for a loco to run around the cars that it is switching. Basically, 2 pairs of switches to allow for the loco that pulled the cars in to be able to swap endsof the train and push the cars where they need to be dropped. Also,watch out for the minimum radius of the inside loop. I would stickto a single main line myself
I'm thinking that the outside radius will end up at 14" to 15" and the inside around 11" to 12" unless I'm not figuring correctly, since I am increasing the width of the door size from 30" to 36". Not planning on any really long cars or engines at this time. Would like to stay steam but might go diesel (early 50's look).
By interchange I meant a place that cars could be dropped off -a siding or track where a train from another railroad (imaginary) could pick them up and take them away to the "rest of the world" Using the diagram above, the interchange track is in the lower right corner. The idea is that a train would pick cars up from the coal mine, take them around the layout and bring them to the interchange track and drop them off. Then, it is imagined that a train from off the layout would come and pick those cars up and take them elsewhere. In reality what happens is you pick up the cars and take them off the layout. In reverse, you can put cars there that are destined for your industries for your train to pick up and take where ever. Interchanges are often called "universal industries" because they can use any kind of car. I hope this better explains it. Runaround: Using the same diagram, the track on both sides of the lower station is a runaround track (connected by the switches at each end). The idea of the runaround track is if your engine is on the right side of the cars, and needs to get to the left side, it can move to the right - past the swtich - use the other track to move to the left side of the cars - use the switch and come up and recouple to the cars on the opposite side. If need be, I could make a couple illustrations to better explain it.
Gotcha! Thanks for the explanation, a lot more clear now. I'll look at how to work that in someway when I get some time to get back to layout drawings.
When I get a chance to work on it, working a lot the next few days, I think I am going in and try to rework the "middle" part of the layout. I'd like to keeep the general concept the same but make some better operational changes. Possibly connect the yard with "middle" tracks someway to give me some movement options from the middle to the outsides. Since I'm kind of new at this it may take awhile but I'll plug along and see what happens.
First of welcome and second, I'm not good at giving advice on this stuff yet but I will say that everyone here is very helpful and you will get a lot of good advice, good luck on the layout!
