Now lets hide Track #1 (GREEN) for a bit and show Track #2 (BLUE) next as well as the HELIX. With the Double Slip Track (RED) in its place from above, Track #2 builds from that placement. Again since this is a planned multiple deck “DC” design, Helix traffic must be able to Enter and Exit Level #1 via a Double Helix. I believe we can squeeze in an Outer Loop using 17.50″ Radii track and thus use 16.25″ for the Inner Loop. There has been some debate as to direction of travel on a Helix so for now I will design based on the Outer as being Upward and the Inner as being Downward traffic. Given this concept, Track #2 would operate in the direction as shown which in turn dictation the diction Track#1 took. Like with Track #1, Track #2 will have its Return Loop under the Helix and Track #2 would also be the touch point to/from the Helix. So, here is how Track #2 might look on Level #1.
Putting these two track plan diagrams together (below) now shows the track plan concept of Level #1. The Inner part of the Helix will need to make extra rotations downward so the track can pass under both the ramp toward the Outer as well as the Return Loop for Track #2. One can now trace the train path where two trains can operate independent on separate tracks, a single train can operate over both tracks using the Double Slip, and a train using Track #2 and optionally Exit/Enter Level #1 via the Helix.
As stated earlier, Level #2 needs to be supported and in this design would be done using two 4″ wide View Blocks where supports can be raised from the interior where wall supports can’t reach. My roughed Rocky Mountain scenery also needs a canyon. My initial plan was to have a thin aisle but folks have made be rethink that; so, I moved it to the Bottom / East section where a viewer would look downward over Track #2 (BLUE) to Track #1 (GREEN) and use the View Block as the far side of the canyon wall with a river passing between the tracks. One could also view the canyon from the Right/North side lengthwise. Another View Block would extend perpendicular to support the remained of center section of the bench-work. Again this being a roughed Rocky Mountain scenery, Tunnels will be a plenty. To hide the Heavy Track of the Double Slip area it would be hidden (with removal access) via say a simple say old-time Depot / Water Tank often found in remote areas. Also in these deep /remote roughed Rocky Mountain it was not uncommon for tracks to loop back under themselves using Tunnels and/or Bridges and having to cross water ways forged by White Water and Waterfalls So, feedback on this alteration of Concept #1 for Level #1
Hi Darren, a bit of semantics: * A double slip-switch is not what you have drawn. You have "a double cross-over" or a scissors-cross-over, which is different from "double cross-overs" * Generally speaking you have two desks or floors. On each desk (or floor) the tracks can be at different levels. Hence Tony Koester's book is talking about multi-desk design. * It might be wise to talk about (concealed) ovals and not about loops or tracks. Both last words can mean anything. So oval 1 and 2 have different levels on your lower desk. BTW the aisle at the lower left is still way to narrow. It might make your drawing more understandable if you had added elevations of the tracks at key-points. It has to be done anyhow for checking out grades. A remark about the lowest part of your plan; the canyon with a river between two tracks. The inclines between the river and the tracks will take space, just like the river it self and the area, between the tracks and the edges of your layout, even if they are kept very narrow; I allowed 2 ft on my drawing. The scenery along the river will turn out to be pretty vertical. Wish you the best Paul
Thanks Paul! Yes, I am looking for an extreme vertical canyon look with the river being deep below so the "View" would be downward as if looking over a mountain ridge; something like this view from above and say this kind of from looking from the end
Darren - fascinating to read the progress of your design, as well as the various viewpoints offered. I don't have any constructive thoughts to add, I am more interested in your overall theme of running a northeastern railroad into the Rockies. In my mind there is no more beautiful place to watch trains run than through tunnels and over trestles spanning rocky canyons. I have tried to visualize my own favorite prototype (L&N) running that landscape and so far haven't been able to buy into it. Do you have a background story for this layout you can share? Thanks Jerry
HEMI, Any advise you can give from your experience building the Tunnel District would be most welcome! Jerry, I have been a fan of the D&H for several decades but I live and breath Colorado so I though why not combine the two in a layout as if the D&H was a Colorado railroad operating in the Rockies
Based on feedback I have gotten from one or more forums I have tweaked Level #1 (Deck #1) Does this resolve the access issues in the nook without causing other issues?
Grades I will work to get a couple of diagrams put together next to show relative elevations and grade information to see what feedback that might also bring in...
Grades As requested / promised, here are the relative elevations of Track/Oval #1 which would be the bottom oval of Desk #1. Note the Cross-Over is a "+4" which is where Oval #1 and Oval #2 meet. For Track #2 / Oval #2 of Desk #1 it's a bit harder to read but the Cross Over is the lowest point at "+4" and the tightest clearance is under 3" but more than 2.25". The area listed at "+6" has a "+4" under it but I rounded the numbers so it just looks like 2" clearance. The other are that is tight is where the "+8" is heading for "+7" going under a "+9" "+10" but it has a 2.5" clearance. Both these area can be tweaked in elevation if 2.25" clearance is not enough as I was shooting to keep grades at 2% or less. Comments ???????
Paul posted this diagram in another forum topic helping out someone else that looks to be something I need to also consider. What do folks typically do for their Vertical Easements to make the transition from Grade back-n-forth to level' as in how long and at what angle? Note: Paul used some extreme % Grade in the diagram to better illustrate the point...
Revised Space Currently the room is being used for storage and I got some stuff cleared out which allowed me to get better measurements and to my welcomed surprise I have a bit more room. So, here is the revised space and based on earlier conversations I think this is what the Aisle might look like for doing another concept design within the space. I won't have the exact location of the interior wall studs yet but I believe I have the approximately placed well enough for conceptual designing. I have also marked off 1" on the exterior walls for supports and backdrop board. The wife and I are still not 100% in agreement on where I might place the Helix in the Family room but right now the conceptual designs will be using the 38x38 space the the left of the Fireplace but keeping in mind I might get the entire 38" depth space all the way to the right of the Fireplace The Light Blue Walkways are 30" wide all the way through and still thinking a Multi-Deck design with 2 or 3 decks with the scenery focus being rouged Rocky Mountains with little to no structures. Depth of Deck #1 will be between 12" to 24" so View Blocks (also used for Deck #2/#3 supports) will break up the island area accordingly
