My layout plan is close to finalized...

[johnandjulie13]

Here is my "final" track plan:

I would love any feedback before I make my track purchases in the next couple of days.  We'll see how close the actual layout looks compared to the rendering.  I will post pictures as progress is made.

Regards,

John O

[marxalot]

John,

It looks to me like you could have an issue where the yard spurs are coming off the inner loop at the top of the drawing. There is an S curve occuring I think. I have a very similar set up and some longer wheel based locos and even some cars do not like that section. If there was a way to straighten that area out more you might be avoiding a potential for problems. Not knowing what you are running, plus not having a ton of experience in this gauge myself, all I can do is offer a concern. Nice layout using the RR Track software.

Jim

 

 

[Dr. John]

I agree with Jim that the S curve coming into your yard might cause problems. Hard to say without actually running an engine with some cars through there.

Is that Atlas track you are using?

[phillyreading]

An automated accessory or two would be nice if you can afford it or a coal dump car for one of the side tracks. Another building or two may not hurt near the side track.  What about traffic control signals for the trains?  Would you be using insulating pins for block control or TMCC?

Maybe these things are there but I could not see them in the track plans.

Lee F.

[johnandjulie13]

Thanks for the feedback!

Jim-

Thanks for the heads up regarding the "s" curve issue.  My intention is to use an MTH 0-4-0 switcher in the yard area, so I did not think it would be an issue.  Once I have the track in place, I will test it before I secure it to the base to see whether it will cause a problem.

Dr. John-

I am using Atlas O nickel silver track.  The outside loop is O-54, while the inside loop (and the yard) is O-36.

Lee-

I have room for expansion in the yard area.  I would like to get the layout up and running before I determine what additional buildings/accessories to put in.  As for wiring, I will be using DCS/TMCC, so block control isn't a big issue.  Thanks for the reminder about signals.  I need to figure out the appropriate placement...

Regards,

John O

[lionelsoni]

Actually, 4-wheel vehicles typically have a harder time with "S" curves, because the couplers are farther from the center and therefore need a larger swing.  My 4-wheel ETS Diesel and boxcars won't get through an O27 "S" at all.

[johnandjulie13]

Hello Bob:

You make an excellent point.   I have that problem with some LGB track I set up on the floor of the basement (my 0-4-0 engine has trouble navigating through an "s" of two switches, while a 2-8-2 mikado breazes right through that section).

I will have to make a modification.

Thanks,

John O

[spankybird]

you have a nice layout. I did notice that you have only one reverse loop. Once you reverse the direction of your train, you can not use the loop again unless you back thru it.. You may wish to add another reverse loop in the opposite direction.

[dougdagrump]

John, If you can add a "short" straight in the middle of the "S" curve it should help to aleviate the problem.  

[johnandjulie13]

Here is my revised track plan:

Thanks again for the feedback.  I hope to purchase the track over the next few days.

Doug-

Thanks for the suggestion, that is one of the ways I solved this problem.  The short straight will solve another problem, mainly the position of the switch machine.  I was thinking that with my original plan I was going to have a hard time getting into the switching yard with the position of the switch mechanism.

Spankybird-

One reverse loop is better than none...Unfortunately, space does not allow me to add another reverse loop.  As it turns out, I am building this layout backwards since I started with the table and I am trying to fit a layout on it.  While spending considerable time on layout planning, I kept wishing for another 18 to 24 inches of length on the table for a number of reasons, including another reverse loop.  But alas it is not meant to be...

Regards,

John O