I came across this yesterday and it looks like it could be a good way to get my feet wet with some operation without taking up too much space. It would also be a good excuse to dig out some of my '40s-era freight cars and maybe buy an 0-8-0 to switch with. -Dave
This is a variation on Linn Westcott's "Switchman's Nightmare" from Kalmbach's book 101 Track Plans. Lots of folks have built versions of it over the years. I've seen a version in HO Unitrack and others in On30 and N scale. I've designed a version that was an engine service area in HO. If you have a little more length, extending the switching leads is a good improvement. And here's the link more fully describing Scot Osterweil's variation you posted: http://users.rcn.com/weyand/tractronics/switching_layout/switching_layout.htm Byron Model RR Blog Model Rail Services
This switching layout was also written up in Model Railroad Planning 2005 edition. on page 50. The article includes a list of the needed Peco switches. Drew
If you get a 0-8-0 for it, think about getting the lifelike/walthers? one with sound. It's a beautiful model with chains hanging off the tender trucks and many other details.
Actually, since I posted this, I've begun eyeing the undecorated Bachmann 0-6-0 that Walthers lists. It's $75.00 but some of the decorated locos are as cheap as $59.00 on sale. My semi-prototype had an 0-6-0 in service as late as '46 or so, so I think I could legitimately run this: -Dave
Actually, Westcott's Switchman's Nightmare pre-dates the Timesaver by at least a decade. Since John Allen and Westcott were well-acquainted, it may be that the better-known Timesaver was inspired by the Westcott layout.
Operations would be as complex as you make them. You can always not include several of the tracks until you are ready for them. What I mean is when planning do not consider the top spur or the two on the bottom left.
Not at all .. you'll figure it out quickly if you start simply with a few cars and add compexity over time. People try to pack these small layouts with too many cars and it turns into a "move the empty slot" puzzle that's very tedious.
