Hi, I'm looking for feedback on where to go, and problems I may encounter with my layout in progress. attached are links to a layout diagram and photos. I have some questions before I move on, especially to those who are using Unitrack. A couple of points first. The layout is a modified version of the Anthracite Creek layout that I posted earlier. I modified it to fit my skill level and also my strong desire for a double track main. The layout drawing is not quite to scale. The over all dimensions are 10' long on each leg of the "L". The width is 24", there is a 32-34" dogbone on each leg. Here are the links: Layout Diagram: http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/doubletrack.jpg Left Dogbone: http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/dbl_left.jpg Mid Section: http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/dbl_mid.jpg Corner: http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/dbl_crnr.jpg Right Dogbone: http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/dbl_right.jpg Temp Yard:http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/dbl_yard.jpg The length of the back straight is 48" The length of the passing track is 40" The longest dimension inside the left dogbone is 33" The longest dimension inside the right dogbone is 38" The open area on the front left is 38" The open area on the front right is 30" The Span of the future corner trestle is 17" I need ideas for the Yard. The one there is temp and I believe too parallel with the front of the layout. The area where that Yard will be will be about 2" high. I plan on putting a tunnel in the corner. Would that be a good area for a mine/breaker ? I don't have a reversal loop, is that neccessary ? Where should I put it. Where would you put additional spurs ? What I would like to do is start glueing down the scenic design risers and inclines on the basic loops, and start some scenery. For unitrack users all around the layout the curves are matched for a double main IE: 348 outside 315 inside. Except one area. On the relatively straight line that transverses from left to right on the right leg there is an area where the only way I can make the double work is to have 481mm-30 degree on both the inside and outside. It looks a little off but it does work. Trains work well on both loops. I guess thats plenty for now. I look forward to your Sage advice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Always interested in the Reading and other anthracite RR's plus Coal Mines, Especially in "N"
You may find that a 40" passing track is a little bit short for future operating needs. But with a double main line, you may be OK. Boxcab E50
What era? location? road? industry do you plan to model? This will all effect how many spurs and where you need them. Is running trains the objective or realistic operations or lots of switching. I think the left dogbone would make a great area for a corkscrew tunnel, then put a lake or old rock quary inside the right dogbone fill with water.You could use the low area in the corner for a yard. Raise the entire corner, reverse the grade on the right dogbone so the track coming out of the corner is the high track. Then an a spur to the outside of the right dogbone making it three track and against the wall/door model the unloading area of a poder plant and paint the rest of the power plant on the backdrop and on the left side sqeeze in a mine, IF you want to haul coal.
I think you are coming along nicely. The elevated yard seems odd but shaping the terrain might take care of that. It is a safe bet that in a few years you will want something different (seems like everyone has that experience) and using Unitrack will make changing easy when and if.
Cruikshank, I've been paying particular attention to your layout because I am also at the beginning stages of an L-shaped Unitrack layout, and I find myself constantly second-guessing my layout plan. I've been collecting pictures and ideas from others who have done similar shaped layouts and I thought they might help you. The first three pics are from someone else's layout that I captured some time ago. It shows that a double main doesn't necessarily have to remain parallel all the time. This person's layout has a double main, but they're at different heights and even divergant(sp?) at places. I think the 3 different levels look neat as they cross over the lake. Your double main really only has to be completely parallel for 310mm - the length of a double crossover. The next 2 pics are of my proposed layout plan. The first is the basic plan, and the second is with a timesaver and 2 additional sidings added. I know that no real railroad is symmetrical, but I wanted my layout to have a nice "flow" to it (if that makes sense to anyone but me...). I also wanted to minimize the number of small Unitrack pieces. There are only 2 pieces that are 124mm, the rest are 186mm or greater. That's why I use the terminal unijoiners instead of the 62mm feeder tracks. I hesitate to critisize anyone's layout but my own, but I'm wondering if there is anything you could do to improve the "flow" if that's at all important to you. I'm sure there is a way to do away with that inside and outside 481/30 if that bothers you. Other than that, the only thing that doesn't seem quite right to me is the elevated yard. I'm clumsy and I know I would knock cars off as I reached to do something on the back. The neat thing about Unitrack is that you can tear everything apart and try different things before you settle on a final plan. BTW, if you have any comments good or bad about my proposed layout, I'd appreciate hearing them. I could talk about this stuff all day, so if you'd like anymore of my feedback, don't hesitate to ask. Hope that helps. Doug http://images5.theimagehosting.com/aas.3.JPG http://images5.theimagehosting.com/aat.1.JPG http://images5.theimagehosting.com/aau.1.JPG http://images5.theimagehosting.com/Basic.1.JPG http://images5.theimagehosting.com/timesave.1.JPG
Gabriel : Era Probably Transition because good "N" Reading Steam is hard to come by and I already have a couple of Diesels. If it wasn't for the money I'd go with the late teens, the height of Anthracite Production. Area: The Anthracite Region of Central / North Eastern PA, The Line: Reading with some possible mix of PRR and LV. Industry: COAL and more COAL. Mines, Breakers, Etc. Doug: Thanks for the links and feedback. I'm open to any discusion. I'm a neophite when it comes to MRR layout design. Sure I can easily rip up Unitrack but not after I add Foam and Hydrocal. Thanks to all for feedback. I'm open to more. The Yard would be elevated not by the Risers, but by a plane ( plain ) at the 2-2.5" level made up of scenicked Pink Foam. Since it is supposed to rain in buckets here all weekend, I may even get to work on the layout. Dave
