If you'd like, download X-trackCAD (It's free) and i will send you the XTC. file of this layout. Edited for LIRR by moderator. [ February 20, 2006, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: watash ]
I have the Atlas CAD program and that's where I planned the layout. This is just a pencil sketch of that plan. It fits.
It's only operated by one person at a time. It is all about switching so I'm just going to place a train on the layout by hand and switch the cars to the industries they need to go to or switch the cars from the industries onto the main line and couple them to the engine. There will also be other scenarios to mix up each op session like my RDC car running through.
Wouldn't it be easy to have two, maybe 3 staging tracks that connect to the layout so your trains can enter and exit the scene? and It would greatly improve the operating.
It would, but I don't have room. Anyway, we are moving in a 2 years so I won't have time to get bored with it even if I would (get bored).
Why not build this scene in sections (Like Jon Grant's layout) so, when you move, you dont have to tear it down and you can build it into a larger layout.
Because I need all the track and structures for my next layout, and since this is my first layout it's probably not going to look so great. Also the benchwork is not nailed or screwed onto the supports so three people can lift it and move it around fine.
Not trying tp be uncooperative, but since the benchwork is in place some things are set in stone. Thanks for all your suggestions.
Skipper - I drew up 5 different switching layouts, all based on yours. None of them contain all the track and turnouts - it's impossible in 2'x10'. As usual, my drawing scale is... odd. Disclaimer: These are not designed for any particular brand of sectional track, and therefore they may look slightly different when built. On the first four, the minimum clear length at each end is about 20" - enough for most engine-car combinations less than and not including an SD75 with autorack. The fifth contains the most of your original, but does so by cutting the switching leads to a minimal 14" beyond the points. This will allow one long engine or car, or a 4-axle diesel and a short car. In a sense, version 1 adapts both ends of your plan, 2 and 4 adapt the left, 3 the right, and 5 the whole thing.
I don't know how it can't fit. Maybe you are just taking my drawing too seriously. It is exaggerated. I purposely drew the frog angles too sharp so you can see the tracks clearly. And on the top passing siding there are no track sections other than turnouts. The atlas program has correct measurements and like I said before, it fits.
Skipper, to see what fit and what doesn't fit you can play a little bit. Print copies from the turnouts you want to buy and tape / stick them on the floor or at your benchwork. Now you can place your roster. You see 1:1 how much space you have. When planning an FREMO arrangement I did so plan with modules, with 1:10 templates, now with CAD. Wolfgang
I can't upload it directly because it's a RTS document. So I will print it, then scan it back in and then post it. Also, my railimages account isn't working so I'm using Snapfish.
Sorry, newbie mistake. It's the photo format that's bad, not my account. It says the pic is a aaj.jpg.
Here is the RTS plan Each square is a square foot. Dots signify track connections. You may notice that the auto rack siding has moved to the left. This is from feedback at another forum. Also, one leg of each three way turnout is pretty sharp. This is because RTS doesn't have the correct radius to make the tracks parallel, so I had to draw it in.
