Yard modules

I set up some MTL sectional track as an experiment. By adding one straight before the curve, I got 2" centers. No straight track and 1" centers. So without cutting any track, our sectional yard should be able to be built.


This was made from just four MTL switch packs (one turnout, one straight and one curved track that matches the curve of the turnout in each pack).

 

Here is a quickie using our sectional track. Two 6' modules for one thru track. we can double the width by copying and flipping the track so the mains run through the center. Anyway...just a suggestion.





cheers

Joe
MTL

 

Turnouts in the yard aren't so much of an issue, just obtaining them. Dave, thanks for modelling so easy to implement. The alternate, like Joe's example and my side yard (pairs of 1" centers separated by a 2"). Joe, thinking about it, we could just C-clamp a box on the outers, as needed.
I think we can just build the yard on the fly. Maybe cut some 1/8" thick spacer strips to help maintain alignment every few feet.

Moving on to the layouts (another separate fourm topic, not this Yard topic).
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One more example. The main could pass through on the top and the ladder comes out to two inch centers as seen below.



I agree with trying to have the mains on the inside if possible with the sidings on the outside so that forearms putting cars on the tracks don't knock cars off passing by underneath.

Sorry. Gotta get ready for a train show!
(New videos to shoot too! )

 

OK guys, time for the NTS yard. We will have to contribute track for this. I would like to get at least 10 pairs of manual MTL turnouts (that is 20 in total), or more, for the NTS yard. Electric versions are OK, we can take off the solenoid control.

Rob Ray has 4 boxes of 660mm flex we can use. We can cut some strips to space and capture the flex for this temporary installation. We can use a few pieces of 110 and 220mm to even up lengths to the 660mm long flex.

Will need 3 core modules: the 2 for the turnout laddering and 1 of the body of the yard. I would like to get at least 6' of straight but need to CAD up an example. Then maybe Don can print up the schmanZie top printed template so we know where it all goes. We can solder feeder wires to the bottom of rail joiners and drop them in say in the middle or both ends of the flex so we dont mess up Rob's flex. Twist and wire nut the feeders to a terminal block with the ZBT cables.

I have a 100' spool of 10 conductor cable (BAZ uses ALL of the ZBT wires, to help send full and breakered DCC down the 4 user defined pins). I can get a 6 conductor spool too. Kim Vellore was going to make up a PC board for the D connector that would make it easy to attach the 6 or 10 wires to but he's now heading off for numerous biz trips. I can solder direct for now.

Get thinking and get busy.
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(ebay auction ended)

There is a guy on ebay that adds plastic either to Marklin or MTL track. The problem is the railer is too crude to be used on mainlines. It is only a little better than the red railer ramp.

Perhaps joe could make something out of the wood grade crossing laser kits & the bridge track?

Something that is really needed is a quick way just to be sure all the wheels are set in the truck & not loose. Something with a set of MTL height & pin guague would work fine.

 

We have laser cut pieces that drop in between the rails and can easily make the outer rerailers too.

It's on the list.
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OK, here is what I came up with for the NTS yard. 2 symetrical 'End' modules would be used for laddering with a single module in between. 25 yard tracks (15 in between the mains, 5 each side outside the mains).

Example Yard End for laddering:



The symetrical design allows for trains to exit or enter from any direction. The loops allow for locos to be turned or consist to be made without fouling the main. Cross overs could also be added to each main, all for ends so that Outer tracks can also access the yard. Ideally, this should be done before the module, not within but space is a constraint.

Combined 2 ladder ends with single section in middle. Essentailly 2 flex track sections long (1.22m or 52"). The middle track would be 52", the inner ones, closest to the mains are 3m or 121" (10'). Long enough for an AZL A-B-B+Passenger set or 41 Fifty foot cars or 50 Forty foot cars.

 

Looks nice but....
I count 56 turnouts.
Do you have alternate plans for less switches? Just less ladders?
What is the size of this module, please?

 

Dave, it's not cast in stone. If you look at the drawings (as ONLY in the example shown), it is APPROXIMATELY 52" long for each ladder end (this may change). The center section WOULD be 2x660mm if flex were use BUT, if we use 220mm sections, it could be somewhat shorter (or longer). If you get your proportional ruler out, you would have noticed it is shorter. It will get finalized in about a week.

I did mention that there will be crossovers (NOT SHOWN) so just wait. THIS IS ONLY PRELIMINARY. And there can me less turnouts, maybe more. Again, preliminary.

At least it looks like we can get enough turnouts and even 220mm straights to get most of it in.
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I have four turnouts - 2 of each
13 sections of flex track
14 110 straights
bunch of itty bitty cork
bunch of nscale foam roadbed
10-12 13 degree curved track

 

Gary Hoffman just dropped off some more track:
12 pieces of flex track (MTL)
12 pieces of 220 mm sectional (MTL)
2 MTL turnouts - one of each
5 ready to attach switch machines for MTL turnouts