Hello everyone, I want to start a model railroad. Since it will be my first layout I want to go with a published track plan. I chose to model plan 39 of 101 track plans by Linn Westcott called Denver & Northwestern RR (see picture below). My questions are: 1. Will it fit on a HCD? 2. Is there a way to improve this layout? 3. Since there's a turntable does it meen it's in the steam era or it can be in 1995? 4. I want to model a shortline interchanging with a class I is it possible (realistic) on this layout? Thank you Charles
To my calculations it should fit on a 30" wide door. You will actually have more length as this plan should have a length around 5'. I would say to compensate for the added length the HCD will give you just entend your straight stretches a little bit and you will be fine.
A common door width is about 29.75", so according to what they give us for the grid lines, yes it fits. Yes, you can certainly have a turntable in 1995, and have a short line interchanging with a Class 1. An improvement? I'd look for a way to not have tracks parallel to both of the long sides of your layout base. One side, OK. But not both.
A word of warning: the plans in the Westcott book were drawn freehand--in other words, it can be tough to match them with commercial track components. You will likely have to make alterations, unless you want to begin your hobby experience by handlaying track!
Overall a nice plan. Given that this is your first layout you may want to simplify it just a bit. If I was building it I'd use a 2 or 3 stall engine house instead of the turn table - but that is just me. In addition I personally would skip the return loop. Yes, the return loop adds a something to it I feel the space could be better applied to another industry or scenery option. I have to emphasize that this is just me and you may feel differently.
Based on what I'm reading on the track plan, it would fit 2.5' wide and 5' long in N scale, so it should fit. The turntable and roundhouse are, yes, steam era structures, but I have seen shortlines that continue using them out of convenience (If it ain't broke don't fix it?). As for the interchange, I would suggest adding a turnout where the Sherman siding branches out. This could enable you to use that outside track as the Class I's rail line, and the loops as your shortline. As for fitting the curves, are you going to be comfortable laying flextrack?
I'll give Atlas c55 flextrack a try. I've read the book "N scale model railroading Getting started in the hobby" by Marty McGuirk. I think it explains well how to lay flextrack. I have another question. What should be the spacing between the double tracks of the mainline? And thank you everyone for your answers. Charles
Typically you will see 12' to 16 ' spaced track depending on curvature , [ " The distance between the track centres makes a difference in cost and performance of a double-track line. The track centres can be as narrow and as cheap as possible, but maintenance must be done on the side. Signals for bi-directional working cannot be mounted between the tracks so must be mounted on the 'wrong' side of the line or on expensive signal bridges. Very narrow track centres are also undesirable for high speeds, as pressure waves knock each other as high-speed trains pass.Narrow track centres might be 4 metres (13 ft) or less. Narrow track centres may have to be widened on sharp curves to allow for long rail vehicles following the arc of the curve, and this increases a surveyor's workload. Widening a track centre to 5 metres (16 ft) or so suits high-speed trains passing each other, and eliminates the need to widen the centres on sharp curves. Increasing width of track centres of 6 metres (20 ft) or more makes it much easier to mount signals and overhead wiring structures." In N scale that translates to .9 inches center to center for 12 foot centers up to 1.25 inches center to center for 16 foot centers and 1.5 inch centers for 20 foot centers . Also, That will depend on the radius of the curves you are using, signal lites , other ROW equipment , signal boxes , etc. is the line frt or pass or both ? Everybody needs room to work so as not to interfer with traffic on the other line.
Nice plan for a first layout. I would do your stretching at the left of Boulder Junction and between the switches at Lyons. This will give you some scenic seperation between the reverse loop and C & S Junction. Wiggle your flex track a bit where it parllells the edges and that will make things look nicer as trains roll along, just a little wiggle makes a big difference. I would go with the 1.25 to 1.5 inch seperation of tracks due to the tight curves and it should help you with an easier learning curve. Less frustration when a longer car gets into a corner and derails the other track! Enjoy, and show us pics!!
The BNSF still has an operating turntable and four-stall round-house (which feeds into the engine shop) at the Cicero, IL yard. And the BNSF is a definitely a Class 1 RR.
BNSF has the following facilites with turntables that I know of. Interbay (Seattle) Vancouver, Wa (former Hoyt St yard turntable) Pasco, Wa Tacoma, Wa (turntable only no roundhouse)
Yes, the turntable is a throwback, and most uncommon by 1995. But you would probably want that or a wye, which would be tough to fit in that size. The reversing loop leads to locomotives facing the other direction, and the turntable or wye allows you to get them facing the original direction again; otherwise you'll have to run them through the reversing loop backwards. You can eliminate this concern completely by running your diesels as two (or more) unit multiple lashups; these always face forward and backward all at once. Don't forget that reversing loops require special insulated track joiners, and come with operational challenges--even with DCC.
The BNSF Glendive shop is still using 7 old roundhouse stalls and a turntable, a BIG one for the old Yellowstone Mallets, so a table is plausible. MRL in Livingston still has one there and in Helena, too. I don't remember if the Havre, MT shop has a table, so there's no need to change it out. Anyway, have FUN!
I'ld use the turntable no matter what. Nothin beats watchin a turntable slowly spinning a locomotive around...S W E E T !! JMO YMMV
What's special with a No. 3 wye? Also, what is the tall and narrow building on the right side? Charles
Like the other turnouts, it could be tough to find one. Like I said, you may need to learn to handlay some track!
FWIW, here's what I would do... First, I'd go with a 36-inch wide door. This will provide the layout with a bit more breathing room, so the curves can be a little broader, and you won't have to keep the sides of the racetrack parallel to the edges. I'd do away with the branch that drops below the mainline grade, at lower left; this will make construction easier for a first-timer, and it does away with the grade leading to the sidings, which might otherwise make switching trickier. I'd also do away with the turntable, as it's just an added expense with little to justify its existence. Finally, the long siding along the bottom looks like a perfect interchange. Here's the revised plan using Atlas Code 55 track. Mainline crossovers are #7, all others #5. Obviously things can be changed to suit your preferences; these are just my recommendations.
First of all I would also get rid of the turn table second I would start with code 80 track its more forgiving for a newb then cod 55 or even look into atlas true track or kato track. With code 55 you will have to be perfect or you will have a lot of derailments. Third to improve it start with DCC.
