Here is plan A. I have to make it mobile for when I move, so it will be a semi-permanent-type structure. Benchwork will be 1x4's, 2" foam, and will be 48" high. What do you think? The layout is based on running long trains, hence the long oval. Minimum complex operations will then be persued after I get used to running the trains. The pic is not to scale.... I wanted an around the walls layout, but I have limited funds, and should start smaller that that, and I know I'll be moving, *military/ active duty* at almost every other year. Thanks in advance.
The pic didn't work...... try this URL: http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=220158&uid=125564 That should work....
I'm glad to see you have such a fine home for my former BNSF CW44-9! I know it's in good hands! Your plan looks great, I hope to start making a track plan for my ATSF-Chilli Division soon.
Hemi, Looks great! Kinda reminds me of a modular setup, looks like you could put a staging yard in that skyboard and make that junction with the SOO a live one! 2slim
I'm not sure of how you intend to operate your trains on this design, but it looks to me like your need some engine run-arounds or escape paths in places like your grain milling area or you will be doing a lot of backing of long trains.... (Just something that I wondered about in a very brief look at your plan.) Hope it helps.
Brent, I sure hope it comes out that nicely. I may try that staging behind the skyboard thing, too. But, the layout is 6' wide, as planned so far. how about accessing a wreck/derailment? I am not much for Soo Line, but the live interchange could be fun. SL runs train of solid grain to Minot, and interchanges them with BNSF with a pair of old Geeps. I also see the latest GE's and other modern power on this line. What I also could do is make the grain terminal I have presently a regular rural elevator, and make a completely new terminal in the present yard space. Minot Milling is a fairly large complex, and is situated directly next door to BNSF Gavin Yard. I kinda wanted to model Gasman Coulee * a large steel trestle built by GN*, but I dunno if I could scale it don, and be somewhat prototypical. One of the local granaries has an ex-NP switcher, a SW1 *I think*. It is painted in BN colors, tho. No mistake about this private owner's locos' origins! I'll try to modify the track plan today, and post it up. Thank for all the critique!
I like the layout and REALLY like your intermodal facility. I wish I had that much room for mine! This is HO right? What is the overall length of the layout? You may want to use something like Atlas right track (or another cad system, I just mention Atlas because its free) to put your plans to scale. Many find when they put it to scale that turnouts and yard ladders take up more room than they thought. Overall it looks good and I can easily see operation with llllooooonnnnngggg trains rolling through.
Slim, I like the live interchange, and incorporated it. I left the yard, as I just liked it. It looks cool UP, I think I'll have enough space for that yard, as it is *the layout size* about 6'x16'. Modular yes, movable is a must! I made 2 revisions: layout 1.5, and layout 2. Check 'em out on the same page URL I gave earlier, it's in the same album. I'll prolly NEVER use that much yard space, and may chop it to incorporate that flour milling facility. I do want to keep the engine facilities; where else will I store all my locos? DCC is planned into this design, and multiple train operation is also planned, on the branch, and main. Not to mention the interchange. Lemme know what you think!! Layout pix
Interesting. This is going in an apartment? Don't know if you did it or not, but, you might want to layout a template on your floor to see how it will fit. Mine is similar to yours-5'x16'. Same operation-Long trains, hidden staging, but I'm going with more industry. The layout is also diveded in thirds. No center access. I have it in the garage so I have access to all sides. Check my update posts for pics and trackplan. And drop me a line if you have any questions. (I'm going TDY at the end of the week, so I'll answer when I can.) BTW, what AFSC do you have that requires a PCS every couple years?
HEMI Good looking basic plans. I would only suggest a couple of ideas. 1)Don't use any #4 turnouts anywhere. Make #6 turnouts your minimum everywhere. Use the bigger turnouts for better operation. Use the biggest turnouts that will fit. I am not sure what type of trackwork that you will be using, just don't get hung-up on the minimum radius/turnout ideas. THINK BIG FOR SMOOTH OPERATION!! 2) You might want to add some crossovers, around the yard leads for example. 3) Put a lead at the end of each yard so you can work the yards and not block your main lines while doing so. Just a couple of ideas for you
Hemi, your plans look great I especiialy like your yard facility that will enable you to store soe long trains. You have the best of both worlds with a loop for continuous running and enough industry for switching purposes. I look forward to seeing pictures of your layout
Hemi, After looking at all three track plans, I'd have to vote for number 1. Here's why: 1.5 erases that WONDERFUL yard and you lose the engine facilities (something I don't model, but you've got the room and it would be cool) You could use your mill idea shown in 1.5 on layout 1 but just scale it down so you lose less yard. I like layout 1 better than layout 2 (and this is mostly personal preference) because of the interconnection with the SOO and the crossing at grade. I like the crossing at grade and it incorporates more operational features - a reason to stop on the main, or make sure you keep the SOO trains clear of the main when the hot shots come through. Just some thoughts. "Its your world, I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut."
Hemi, I think myUP has a great idea, download the Right Track software from Atlas, you'll be suprised how it takes the 'guesswork' out of planning. It also will give you a ballpark cost for this empire, (which will no doubt have an effect on the plan!). I think I prefer plan 1 as well, I love those intermodal & freight yards. I also like that SOO line interchange 'at grade', but there should be a small yard so you can interchange cars. Right Track takes a bit to get used to, but having everything drawn in proportion helps put everything into perspective. Plus you can add wiring and scenery and benchwork, so when you do build it, you're not going in blind. 2slim
Hi Hemiadda, It is always cool to look at someone's trackplan,moreover when you are yourself in the same kind of brain storming I really liked the general organisation of the layout, with an urban setting (yard,intermodal,etc)on one side and a more rural one on the other. Now, if I was you (I know,it is not the case) what would I do ? The following may not be considered as "advises" 1° Why don't you make a step forward and make the branchline a real branch (without any connection with the main on rural side)?It should add to the fun...and connect it to the yard lead or the main instead of intermodal lead. 2°You could put the rural depot on the branch rather than on the main.With a slight elevation (say 3 or 4")it could add to the visual interest,with a river,flowing in Gasman coulee (hey, it is a french word )and then between the main and the branch. 3°Why not put the yard in the background and slightly curved,with the intermodal yard in the foreground (colorfull container stacks are more visually appealling than endless strings of grain hoppers, aren't they ?) 4°Make also provision for yard leads for both north and south yard. 5°Make your backdrop with round corners instead of square...it is a little trickier to build but so much nicer... 6°Stop reading this, go to bed and make your own mind, your plan will be the best because it is yours (anyway, I heard that we,modellers, have several lives, to model every RR, roads,eras and scales we like Happy modelling and tell us the way it goes... Marc
What do all you folks mean by the yard needing a lead? I am missing something here... I have planned the branch at a 3-4" elevation. I also may need to really condense the G-C trestle, as in real scale, it is 1700 feet long, as built by GN. What does that scale to N? I'll try to revise the pln tonight and post it up. Thanks!!!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HemiAdda2d: I also may need to really condense the G-C trestle, as in real scale, it is 1700 feet long, as built by GN. What does that scale to N?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> About 10'7" - 1700/160. Gary.
The Lead is for making up trains without fouling the main track. It's best to have the lead be as long as your longest yard track. If you don't have the room for that, make it half.
Marc, G-C is actually a dry bed, but I guess I could exercise a little 'Modeller's License' and make a river.... I incorporated a pair of leads off the interchange on the SL side of the tracks. I added a new track that totally bypasses the yards, a double lead that stores cars from the interchange, a rounded backdrop, and a crossover. Njoy!!
I will be the odd man out guy and suggest something entirely different. Why not an around the walls layout, which would be even larger, and more scenicly interesting. You could have a letter G layout style in the room if you can't go all around. I know portability and re-useability is important to you. I would suggest you use David Barrows ideas on "domino" sections that come together to create a layout. The reason he developed this idea was so that people like yourself could move a layout easily to another location, and yet not have to compromise to much by loosing out on an interesting plan. Basically it is something like NTrack, but you build in sections and join them together. When you move, you can add sections, or store sections until your next move. each section is something like 2 by 4 or something like that. He and linda Sand have done some good articles in MR about this, including yard designs, and several industrial switching plans (Linda Sand), reversing loops, sections that fit between a dividing wall...etc. There are many plans to chose from and you put them together like dominoes.
