I am building a mountain layout (think Polar Express Picture). I have a choice and I need your input. The layout will have five spirals (three visible) with a 5% grade. It will be about 4 x 5 x 3 ft tall using 031 track. The top and the bottom will each have a single loop via a switch so the engine can change from one end of the train to the other. It is very much like building a ceiling layout in that I have limited horizontal and vertical space per track, except it is on a stepped mountain instead of a wall. I can double track all the way up the mountain so that one train can be going up as another comes down and they can pass. The outside train will be on a trestle above the next lower level of inside train unless the lower level is hidden in the mountain. OR I can single track up the mountain and leave more horizontal room (6" vs 1") for mountain scenery.
Do you think double track would overwhelm the mountain? Do you think seeing the trains pass each other would be worth the double track?
Jim H
It depends on what you want to call a mountain. To me a 1" space for scenery doesn't give the possibility to mimic a mountain, but you can be satisfied with it. Also double track gives ginormous holes if you want to make a tunnel, but then again, that's my point of view.
The question is, do you want it to look like a toytrain layout or do you want some sort of hirail layout. On a toytrain layout everything can be done and it will look fine as a sort of spiral, but if you want it to look like a real mountain you'll need the space for scenery.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Could you double track, but have one track under the other? You could also, stagger the tracks so you only see the descending train every other turn... then you would have more space for your scenery, you may even be able to do a double side-by-side track on opposite sides of the mountain and at these areas you simply would have a 'cliff-face', you could even do a 'granite' tunnel... not sure how to explain that one...Instead of moving the engine from one end of the train to the other, why not just reverse the train?
Well I have decided to go single track for more room for the mountain scenery(I think!, could change my mind). Here are some pictures of my progress. Is that black sheething material what everyone calls "homosite"? I went to alot of effort cutting out a cardboard template for the grade before I realized the sheething would support the track with an even grade. I just took my rise (6") and divided by the four supports to come up with supports at 1.5" (3pm), 3" (Noon), 4.5"(9pm) and 6" at 6pm. Once I get the originial loop I can just add 6" spacers all the way around for the loops above.
My layout is now operational. The main structure is in but no scenery yet. I am working on making blocks so I can run more than 1 train, perhaps 3-4 on the layout at one time. Three and four car trains make it up the grade with one engine. I am thinking of replacing the center top siding with a turntable so I can turn my engines for the trip down.
Yes, it is a continuous spiral. At the bottom inside there is a loop of track inside just like at the top. That way the engines can run around from the front of the train to the back for the trip back up. Although, I recently realized that engines often "push" cars up steep inclines so I probably should as well. There is also a siding on the bottom on the other side for parking engines.
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Very cool work!!!
underworld
Jim Fortner wrote:Jim, I love it! Are you going to go with a lot of animated stuff, like a mining operation and stuff?
I am not sure yet. The main idea was to model the "polar express" look going up and around the mountain. Or perhaps Norfolk Southern's Virginia creeper with freight and passenger traffic. I am thinking a log or coal dump....pick up at bottom from loader and run to the top and dump or vice versa. Also, bring up one train and drop it off at siding and take down a different set of cars.
I noticed Lionel's new mining set comes with Lincoln Logs which got me considering using Lincoln Logs for the tunnel portals on the corners where the mountain will cover the tracks.
As for construction details...boy have I learned a lot! Using the cookie cutter method would have been much easier except I wanted the tracks to overlap in the back (to give the mountain more depth from front viewing area). I did not have the interior vertical ties (1x2) for support at first and it was too flimsy. So I added them after, except there is not hole in the top so I had to work between the layers and that was a pain. I predrilled all wood screw holes so the 1x2's and 1x6's would not split. Next time I should put a hatch in the top so I can work from the inside (or a larger hole in the bottom with an easy to duck under construction table). The vertical ties really tied everything together and provide convenient mounting for the 5" spacers (sawmill edge of 1x6) separating the layers. Next time I would probably stack up all the black fiber board and cut them before I mounted the track...making sure the inside edges lined up for easy fastening to the 1x2 risers.
One other thing. The idea behind this was to do a large transportable mountain (about 4x4) to take to train shows and perhaps get in CTT. Right now it is about 4x6 and while easy to transport is NOT easy to get up the 90 degree turn in my stairwell. I may do another one with closer spaced track, one less layer in height, mounted to a 36" hollow door, and staying to 4x4 or 3x3.
Today I wired and wired and wired and....you get the idea. There are now five blocks all running off the same transformer. Four of the blocks are "on" or "off" via a push switch. I will later replace them with slider switches. Two of the blocks are the sidings on the top. One block goes from the top to the bottom. Two more of the blocks are on the bottom. One is a circle (inside the mountain) and the other is a siding. See the pictures below. Now I can easily run two trains continously (top and bottom loops) while having two more parked (one high siding and one low siding). If I am careful I can also have one of the parked trains go up and down the mountain. It is time to start thinking about landscaping!
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