I like you built your modules using plywood. I did similarly. The brackets you used look like they'll do a fine job. Thanks for showing more!
Mike, I love and embrace the module concept, in the event of a move, a change of heart on an area, if built to a certain standard they even allow for interchangeability if you make extras, regardless, it saves the layout from the necessity of being torn up in a move (it was real sad to see the mountain sub go!). I can't wait to see you get the locos and freight out, your stuff was always fantastic to see (especially as a fellow CP modeler). During your time off have you added any new peices? I guess that since we last heard from you Kato has released new CP AC4400's, SD40-2's (you always had nice custom painted pieces), there are loads of new grain and intermodal cars and high cube boxes, has much of it made its way to you? all my best, Jan
I have a question for everyone about my staging yard, maybe you could offer some suggestions. Here is where the staging yard will be. I was going to have 2 seperate yards, each with 6 tracks, one for Eastbound trains and one for Westbound. (point to point) Then I thought about just making it 1 yard so I have the option of continues running. 2 yards each with 6 tracks, means I will have to keep 1 clear, in each yard to run power down, which gives me 10 tracks. If they are one yard, I will get 11 tracks with 1 track clear. Would you make it point to point or continues running? Thank you for your advice!
I would make 1 yard so you can have the option of continues running and you can still have point to point. That is the way I did NS layout. When someone comes over and wants to see your trains, you don't have to worry about watching them to see if their going to run out of track in the yard. Continues running works well when you have open house for your layout. Scott
I would make 1 yard so you can have the option of continues running and you can still have point to point. That is the way I did my NS layout. When someone comes over and wants to see your trains, you don't have to worry about watching them to see if their going to run out of track in the yard. Continues running works well when you have open house for your layout. Scott
I was going to have 2 seperate yards, each with 6 tracks, one for Eastbound trains and one for Westbound. (point to point) Then I thought about just making it 1 yard so I have the option of continues running. 2 yards each with 6 tracks, means I will have to keep 1 clear, in each yard to run power down, which gives me 10 tracks. If they are one yard, I will get 11 tracks with 1 track clear. Would you make it point to point or continues running? Thank you for your advice! [/QUOTE] I would make 1 yard so you can have the option of continues running and you can still have point to point. That is the way I did my NS layout. When someone comes over and wants to see your trains, you don't have to worry about watching them to see if their going to run out of track in the yard. Continues running works well when you have open house for your layout. Scott
I have no yards, just off-layout staging. Works well, with the return loop. Of course, my layout is pretty out of the ordinary to not have any switching, and no yard on the modeled portion. Not like they could carve a yard out of the mountains! One yard keep the tracklaying/wiring simple. Less turnouts are easier to maintain, and cheaper. KISS priciple, I say....
I too think that the option for continuous running should circumstances arise will give you and the possibility of guests choices, going point to point is going to be more limiting. With continuous running you can still have point to point operations within the layout. I'm with Scott.
I have point-to-point running, with continuous-run option. My layout helix has a reversing wye integrated in it for just this reason. Otherwise, it was a royal pain to wire in!
i would go for continuos running as well ! would that mean two separate yards and a 180degree curve connecting the two ?
I like what you have done, great job. Those angle brackets are awsome!, I will see what is available here my my new layout. On the question of continuous running / through staging yards, my opinion is definately through running staging yards. You can add a couple of crossovers between each side for added flexibility if you have unequal numbers of trains in each direction. Also it saves ahving to hadle rolling stock as often to restage the layout. Good job.
I'm eyeing up the space for the panel (damned annoying house designers; putting things on the walls where the layout is supposed to go! why don't they think these things through?) and thinking.. If this is the main house panel, you're going to want to be able to get to it. Probably late at night, in the dark, in a thunderstorm with all the lights out. I recommend a Torch hanging on the wall at the entrance to the layout room For some reason I keep seeing a beautifully painted backdrop in this corner with a small handle on it and hinges (probably on the left by the corner) that opens to reveal Mr panel. You'd have to tidy the loose looking cables on the right side a little though. Think kitchen cupboard, but painted backdrop colours Otherwise, Looking Good. Got a track plan stashed away so we can see more of the over-all picture?
The main and siding are laid on the grain elevator module now. I decided to make a long double track with 2 crossovers in the middle. From switch to switch it is 38 feet, ( 100 car trains?! ) so it can hold 2-50 car trains, and stil have the main open, or 1-100 car train if there happens to be a train that long on the layout! It can also be used as a run-around for the crew switching the elevator. Here are some pictures... And an over view.
I've dicided to make staging, one big double ended yard. 1 track in and 1 track out. That way I don't need to make a stub ended track to get the locmotives back down a clear track. Thanks for everyone's thoughts!
Oh to have that kind of space for a layout.... Great work, I'll be watching this thread with interest!
Hey Scott, the layout is in a basement that is 32' x 33' plus there is a 7' x 8' bump out, which I think will make a very nice section of mainline to snake around! When I get to that part, I'm going to make a bookshelf kind of thing, and build the layout on top of it. My wife wants to keep a resembalence of a room down there for the kids to watch TV and play. ( It also gives them something to do when I work on the layout! ) The layout around this section will only be 1 foot thick, and single track, but I should still be able to make some big curves and have a nice section for scenery. Here is where it will be.
