completed the mainline

I can run trains, I can run trains !!!!!

Last night I completed the track laying and wiring of the mainline, and I was able to run a train around in circles. .

So, of course next step is to plan the yard. You can see my current track plan here

http://community.webshots.com/user/jkristia

The gray track is the existing track, and the blue is the planned, but of course that can / will change several times before it's actually done.
I have planned the yard to have 3 arrival tracks, 3 departure tracks and 4 storage tracks. I'm not sure about the right side of the yard, this will be the service, but for now I have just added some tracks, and I will see how it will fit once I'm there.

Also, I can't really decide on the industries. Right now I only have the coal mine and the saw mill structures from Walthers. I think that I'm gonna put the saw mill in the "saw mill area?", but I can't find a place for the coal mine. Maybe I could have a single spur branching of the lower track on the right and put it there. I would also like to fit in the paper mill, some warehouses, maybe a lumber yard, maybe the cement plant, etc. But I don't think all that will fit into my 2x10 area, so for now I will just concentrate on the yard.

I would appreciate your comments on the track plan before I continue.

Thanks.
Jesper

 

Jesper,

Looking good. You have a nice size layout and it looks like you are starting to "get there."

Comments on your track plan. The bottom of the track plan looks real interesting and fun. The top of the track plan looks kind of...well... boring. Looks like you have some room to do some interesting things.

PS. I know the struggle one goes through with track plans. I am just working on a track plan for my bottom level of my two level layout; and it keeps changing and evolving.

I fiddle some more with the rest of the track plan and leave the bottom "set." To me, that looks like what you have in mind anyway.

 

Jasper. That was the way I felt a couple of weeks ago when I completed one of my main lines and could run trains in a circle. I like your Photos and that is a great layout.

 

excellent.
I apprectiate the great photo's, the shots showing the bench work in particular help, better then any photo's in the books.

 

Good job. It looks good. It must be a great feeling to be running trains for the first time. Myself I've just recently finnished the subroadbed for the main loop of my mainline so hopefully in not too long I'll be able to run something too.

I definately agree with rsn48. The top of the track plan does look kind of boring. You might want to read Avoid stairstepping page 88 of model railroad planning 2002 E-mail me if you have problems finding a copy.

Good luck with all your future track revisions (and everyone elses) Just yesturday I laid some track but it's already been pulled up and revised.

 

Is this N scale? Is so, simply amazing as I thought I was looking at an HO layout by looking at the tracks. If N, are these the new Atlas code 55?

 

Thank you for your comments, I appreciate it.

I agree with rsn48 that the trackplan looks a bit boring, and I am still working with different Ideas for the industry areas, including the sawmill area. And as I said, for now I will only concentrate on the yard, and then I’ll go from there.

Paul, I did read that article about stair stepping, and I know I have a problem there. Unfortunately, those two lines are on a narrow shelf next to the stairs coming up from below, and also, that’s where I change level, so one goes from 0” to 4” elevation, and the other from 4” to 0” elevation (picture img_0853 ), so it will be a tricky part to scenic, but what I was thinking of doing was to leave the front line all visible, and kind of hide the rear line behind a ridge with trees.

And yes, that is the new Atlas C55 track. I really like the look of it, and I have the huge advantage of being new to model railroading, so the MT wheel compatibility issue is not a problem for me, I have maybe 20 cars to convert to low profile wheels and that’s it, and from now on, all I buy will be with, or converted immediately, to low profile wheels (which by the way look so much better than the normal ones).

Jesper