Bear Creek Valley RR - Layout Progress

Steve,

Thank you for your opinions, they are greatly appreciated. One has to also question the realistic side of trains entering and emerging from under the roof tops of buildings in my first design example. The fact that trains actually enter and emerge from under the streets in downtown Chicago does lend credence to the design.

Jerry

 

Rick,

Yes, operations start out with two made up trains in staging that bring in loads and empties to serve the industries. When they arrive in the yard (A/D track), the yard switchers sort / classify them as east or west bound locals. When the locals return, cars are classified as east or west bound through freights and head back to staging. I also start out with an intermodal train leaving the yard A/D track to serve the intermodal yard and rotate that into the mix.

Thank you for your vote.

Jerry

 

Slow progress on the layout this winter has been a good thing. When I filled in the gaps on my original single mainline design to make it a double mainline, I made a huge mistake. My yard was not designed for a double mainline.

When filling in the single mainline gaps between sidings, I tied into many sections by placing a switch (turnout) on a curve. There has been some discussion of that on another recent thread.

In short I have with no change required to the bench work returned to my original design concept. I think you will agree the change was for the better.

Jerry

 

As everyone knows life happens and model railroading gets put on hold. With my mother needing placed in a long term care facility, I have been preoccupied with assisting in her personal affairs. It doesn’t make it any easier that she is 400 miles away.

Anyway, here I go again, or is it third time is a charm? It seems that I have had most of the pieces, but have failed to put them all together on one layout. With the aid of a professional layout designer I have finally resolved the issues that have kept me from moving forward. I have been given many useful ideas and suggestions for enhancing the track work and scenery, all very much appreciated.

The new layout is not that far removed from my current design and fortunately will not require any changes in the present bench work or fascia. Given that this is a bedroom sized switching layout in design I have included a switching yard, intermodal yard, interchange and a host of industries with a variety of switching puzzles. The new design makes use of scenic dividers for hidden staging and splitting scenes on the peninsula. Use of back drop buildings, bridges, flats and other back ground techniques (smoke and mirrors) should help with the finishing touches.

Your thoughts and comments are always welcome,

Jerry

 

Very nice looking track plan.

 

Thank you Rick and Gary for your comments.

I seem to have a small reach issue with the stub end yard storage tracks in the closet area. I have reconsidered adding a couple more yard through tracks for storage and replacing the stub end yard tracks with an older side of town scene. The background for the yard will then transition into a photo back drop with more of a country flavor.

Thanks,

Jerry

 

This looks like a really fun track plan.

 

I think it has all the key elements that interest me. Sad to say it has taken me three years to firmly decide on bench work style, industries, scenery appointments and tie it altogether with a desireable track plan. Getting professional help has reaffirmed some things I have learned and told me I need to work more on my creativity.

Thanks,

Jerry

 

It looks like we have reached a finalized layout design. At least in terms of the track plan. There are numerous aspects to the scenery that will need to be mocked up before a final decision can be made.

The grade entering hidden staging on the upper left (closet) will be slightly over 2%. The grade on the peninsula starting on the left side (door side) will be at 2 1/2%.

Bench work is now ready to accept the new layout. I still need to make out a shopping list for track components and place my order.

I can hardly wait to get those trains rolling again.

Jerry

 

Nice! Is that a highway bridge over the yard? Even though I see that done again and again, it never gets old for me. Great looking layout plan!

 

Thanks. Yes it is a highway bridge. The prototype bridge over the Eola yard is actually on the east end of the yard (right side). I chose the left side to break up the long yard tracks and stay out of harms way since most switching will be done on the right side of the yard. I may just have to make it removeable and postion it on the right side so that I can have the best of both worlds.

Jerry

 

Hah, that's awesome, Jerry. I'm planning a similar thing on my harbor switching layout, except mine features a removable 3-track elevated train bridge. Can't wait to see your layout built.

 

I think you have a great eye for laying out track. You really let the turnouts flow from one another. I would mock up just to test the yard ladder layouts, but I don't see too many problems. That crossover near the 3 track bridge might be hard to reach to from the other side. An emergency hole near the staging yard ladders might be good as well, if not you will have to reach over your yard full of cars to get to anything in the staging. Try to make those as big as you will be hemmed in by walls on two sides. My favorite part of the plan is that intermodal yard and that engine terminal, you dedicated plenty of space to both those scenes and you will have a really nice scene when you are done there.

 

Thank you. Your points of concern are dead on. I did do the mock up on the pinwheel yard ladder(s) and was pleased to find that I had plenty of side to side clearance. The vehicle bridge next to the three track bridges will be removeable for easier access to the crossover directly beneath it. I also have a fold out step stool with hand rail to aid in reaching the furthest portions of the layout. The scenic divider between the entire hidden staging area is only half height (seven inches tall) or less in the closet area. It will be just high enough to block a persons view. The bench work depth is 26" and I am 6' 3" tall with a trim build, which doesn't hurt either.

Since this is a modern day freight switching layout running long trains, it seemed more prototypical to go with a few large railserved industries rather than numerous small ones. I am also very fond of the intermodal yard that also includes container storage (tan area). This is very representative of the dozen such yards in the Chicago land area, only much more compressed. The chemical plant and the flour mill on the peninsula have also had plenty of space dedicated for their scenes. The chemical plant will have a unique network of overhead brass piping running between the holding tanks, storage tanks, transfer tanks, pump house, mixing facility and main production building. Both of these industries have dedicated switchers to handle the operations.

Jerry

 

This is my opinion and may not be any one else's.
For me I would use about half of the trackage that you have in the yards and industrial areas. To me it is way to cluttered and confusing.
The basic design is quite nice though and flows well. Just to busy looking for me.

 

I can appreciate your thoughts Ken. I see merit in the concept of less is more.

This is an intense switching operations layout requiring three assigned operator stations and an optional hostler for handling loco consist exchanges. Layout design is centered on these concepts. All trackage has a specific purpose related to operations and is designed for a high level of interest and variation for op sessions. Operations schedules combined with switch lists will eliminate any confusion. Unfortunately this has given way to a cluttered appearance.

Jerry

 

Knowing that this layout was built with op sessions in mind, rather than just flying solo, all of what you've got on there makes complete sense. :thumbs_up:

 

One thing that might not been mentioned and you might want to watch out for is that when you have complex ladders is having enough room for ground throws or switch machines. While there are some options for tight clearances, they thin if you want powered frogs. Ken Price does have a point, subtracting a few tracks might help give some space for urban scenery, roads & other details. You might find that you don't need all that track for you to have a long operating session and you will have less track to maintain.

 

Following this thread with interest!! Wish I would of had some of your ideas for my own Unitrack empire:tb-cool: