Where to park the trains?

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for ideas for parking trains that aren't on stage during a particular operating session. I'm in the process of designing my new layout and have about 15 different consists, split between passenger and freight. I think that I want to build an around the wall layout in the basement, about 15X30, with the width being about 4 feet along each wall. I know that I can just add a large yard somewhere but have been trying to find ideas about hidden storage tracks. Anyone out there done a lower level of hidden yards that connects to the main level?
Thanks for any and all ideas. Bob

[Big_Boy_4005]

I use a hidden yard connected to the main level of my layout by a helix. It consists of 5 double ended tracks that are folded around under the main level. All of the trains enter the yard on a single lead which goes past the yard itself. Each track can hold 5 or 6 trains, but they are stuck in "queues", so you can't just bring out the train of your choice, you can only choose the first train on any track.

Here's a schematic, click on it to enlarge it.

[ChiefEagles]

Can hide them under the main table. Have them run into a tunnel and drop. Steep grade but then you can arrange a set of switches and tracks below. Bring them back up and out of the tunnel. This will work for storing mainly engines [alone, they can pull a grade].

[Anonymous]

[2c][2c]
These are some cool Ideas, I may just use one myself!!!
Angelo

[dougdagrump]

Instead of a LARGE yard how about multiple smaller freight yards as well as industrial sidings, a passeger terminal with multiple platforms and space permitting a roundhouse. [|(]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougdagrump

Instead of a LARGE yard how about multiple smaller freight yards as well as industrial sidings, a passeger terminal with multiple platforms and space permitting a roundhouse. [|(]

I think it depends on how large your layout is Doug. In my case the layout is going to be 38' x 46', double decked, and will have lots of yard space and plenty of industries. I happen to be following a very specific prototype, and have a need for staging. In other words, I want it to look like trains are coming from places that are not in the part of the world that I am modeling. I'll be including much of the Twin Cities on my layout, but trains will be coming from Chicago and Seattle as well as other places all of the time.

I'm not sure what Bob's motives are, but there are other reasons why a person might want to hide a train.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all for the ideas. I had considered a lower level but thought that the grades, curves and being able to reach the various sidings would all be issues. As Elliot mentions in one of his posts my goal is to have a variety of trains pass through the different scenes- each scene representing somewhere that I've lived and experienced trains. From the Jersey Coast line to the Denver Ski Train including the Lionel factory (I grew up in Irvington, NJ from 1950-55 and still have all of my original trains- unfortunately no boxes!). Bob

[dougdagrump]

Elliot, I never thought of essentially trains coming and going as if from someplace over the horizon. Really cool concept.[^]
Just goes to show ya "an old dog can learn new tricks".[D)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Yeah Doug, "off world" is more of a modeling concept, and a rather advanced one at that. Most of the guys here don't get that carried away when they run their trains. The guys who hang out over on the MR forum are more into that kind of stuff, though many of them don't do it either.

This is part of the beauty of the forums, to expose the members to new ideas, even if they don't necessarily choose to use them.[swg]