Looking for some feedback. I know inclines are a taboo subject but I need to make a serious height change between levels. Currently my drawings reflect min radius 15" curves on 4 degree inclines (4' long). These are hidden from view and the visuals would all be good but space is the issue (as always) and I need to climb. Has anyone tried something similiar? Thanks Oh BTW it's N-Scale if that matters? [ June 14, 2005, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: Mag lev ]
ML, thats one big and tight curve! What type of operations/locos/lengths of train you plan on running?
NL ...Thats kinda open right now. The only thing I've really ruled out (at least for the climb) are steam locos. I was thinking maybe 20-30 car unit trains in a two or more engine consist. Newer era stuff, nothing taller then TOFC although maybe some 85' pass units. Nothing is in stone at the moment. And I thought I was doing good keeping the min rad larger then 15"! Maybe it's time to get a bigger basement! [ June 14, 2005, 10:07 PM: Message edited by: Mag lev ]
Mag lev: Welcome to Trainboard. I would try to get the incline down to 2%. You will experience equipment problems with that steep a grade. Stay cool and run steam.....
4% at 15" radius is gonna feel like 6%...ie, a terrible chore, especially over 4' If it was a short climb, you can go steeper (say 1', and 8%), but thats an awful long way.
Attached is an image of my layout. The curved ends are to be hidden under mountains. Some of the track won't fit with the scenery in place but I'll adapt it when it comes time. The curved inclines are on the left with light and dark blue tracks descending 4% x 4' under each other. The thought was to have this connected to hidden track that would appear to take the train away from the whole set for a while. That track runs the course below like the double track above it. The purple track is a bypass for those engines that could not make the grade. Since I'm new to track layout I welcome all constructive criticism! Let me know your thoughts....... [ June 18, 2005, 03:45 PM: Message edited by: Mag lev ]
man, thats a tough grade.... how do you get back up after going down there? Are you turning trains, or reversing them up (yes, I see 2 tracks, but that doesnt turn the train) I think thats very udesirable, and perhaps you should forfiet a bit of length on the straight track to give you a bit more time to make the descent (and subsequent ascent). With hidden staging, do you REALLY need a yard that big ? (not that that affects the descent at all)
Be sure your trackwork is FLAWLESS and accessable if your going to build mountains over the curved ends! I'm guessing this will be a permanent-mounted (i.e not portable/movable/on a table) layout - if so, i'd reconsider any hidden trackage. Still a bit confused on what track is going where... will re-read your post.
Here is my take: Tooooo much trackage, (and that is coming from somene who thinks "More is More". It could even be a stub end staging yard with trains backed into it and GHA (Giant Hand Action) used to set it up.
Hi All disisme: The plan was to have the track go down to a lower level that looped back around to the other side and then come out from the other tunnel (same end). The idea is to give the illusion that the train went into the tunnel but doesn't come out immediately like it would be expected to if it was just a hidden curve. Rethinking it I probably would only pull trains up to 4' in length. nscale lover: Sound advice I definitely would shoot for flawless track (for even more fun it's all flex!). Fortunately I'm extremely handy with tools and tools making. The type of joints I would settle for are the type you can't snag your finger nail on (or a very close likness). The system is being built on 2 doors end to end with the option of portability by disconnecting the two. Also the fascia side would be more or less open for easier access. Grey One: Yeah I agree toooooo much track which is why I threw it up here for review. I kept finding places to lay track and lost control! I like the staging idea but I now think the incline is going to kill me on this so I attached a slightly modified version the lands somewhere between yours and mine. The staged part I did not include...sorry for any confusion in the title gents! The "Yellow" track reflects the Mains. The "Green" reflects the yard. The "Purple" reflects the station track. Does this look more workable?? [ June 19, 2005, 01:17 AM: Message edited by: Mag lev ]
Hmm, I think you could do the staging if you wanted. Regardless: Eliminate the run - a - round thingy ya got going on the turntable lead Eliminate the two tracks closest to the turn table Move the yard lead back at least one maybe 2 track lengths Lengthen the yard tracks with the new space. You will end up with the same, (or more), storage area, (I counted), and save money on turnouts.. Give yourself at least 2 inches and I think 3 between the edge of the table and the curves. The riveres have a lot of potential scenic potential but you don't have much operations, (switching), planned,.
Grey One: With the staging are you talking about a run under on the lefthand side with the staging in the middle? I think I would still be caught with the 4% incline...unless you see something different. I would like to have a really decent switching yard if possible. I have read what there is to read but I lack the experience of application.
Mag lev: You should extend your yard tracks as well as your leads into the turntable area. You can create more industries in the center of your layout with a little planning. Stay cool and run steam....
Re: Yard: I flipped the location of the yard. You will want the turnouts / yard where you can easily access it. What are the tracks I colored in Red? If for a run - a - round I'd use the tracks I colored in "purple". What is the excess track to the left of the turntable leads? I feel that at the moment you have a "race track oval". I think you need more industery. I guess you could put a staging yard along the back behind a view block like Hemi's.
Mag lev: You might consider making a dogbone shaped layout as all your mainline track is completely straight. Then you could use the center of your layout more effectively. There is alot of wasted space in the center of your layout. Scenery would become more interesting if your mainline track isn't completely straight. Stay cool and run steam.... [ June 19, 2005, 06:11 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
yes, grey and PSG have given very sound advice. Move the yard lead two car lengths to the right, and lengthen all the yard tracks by that 2 car length you've picked up. So your yard lead would come upp the track that parrallels the mainline in the last pic you posted almost right on the joint between the 2 doors.
Hi Grey One I can see your point on easy access to the yard...my bad I forgot to mention that I have walkaround access as this is in the center of my basement. I'm planning on DCC and this would allow someoone to run the yard while somone did everything else. The tracks colored "red"....humm I don't remember why I did that...up to late and delirious I guess. The purple would be good for the run around. The excess track was for a car service abd engine cleaning facitlites. Yeah I agree with your "I feel that at the moment you have a "race track oval" statement. Unfortunatly I'm trying to keep the min turn radius on the mainline no lower then 15". When you follow NMRA guidelines they don't leave you much to work with within small spaces. The industry stuff I'm going to work in as I go along. There is a neat little yard thingy going near Ralston Puria in Battle Creek and once I have good photos I was going to squeeze more industry in. The stagin is going to be something else probably somewhere else. I'll probably add a hidden line some where that feeds into the mainline to add and remove units as needed. I've made some of the mods and have attached the drawing. I'm still trying to figure out how to mixup the track and make it look more "natural". I have to keep a section open for the wifeies village. This is what she will be working on and it lets me keep on building! But it looks like I now have a huge portion of realestate to use on the left side.
