Elevated Layout Design Help Needed

[lkydvl]

I am rebuilding the outdoor layout.  Operations are the primary focus but a continuous running loop will be incorporated at some point.  It will be elevated on a deck like structure and transition to PT roadbed on the ground as needed.  The yard, TT, engine service areas and the future continuous running loop will be elevated about 3-5 feet off the ground.

The yard is intended to service three or more shortline RR spurs that branch off the mainline.  So far I envision a yard about 5 tracks wide.  Other necessary trackage include the caboose, engine service areas, A/D and yard lead. 

Am planning on making the deck work about 35 feet long.  The 52" TT will be hung off one side of that length at some point.  I will have access to the yard from both sides and the TT from three.  Depth of about 4 feet is about max I should think.

I have several books on planning for operations and such but I can't seem to find something that incorporates the features I want for operations.  They include:

double ended classification tracks

caboose track

engine service trackage

A/D 

sufficiently long yard lead

switcher access to both ends of the yard without mainline travel

 I'm needing help putting this together and hope you can help.  I've not started building yet, the materials are stock piled waiting for a final plan.  So I am not adverse to a complete rethink of the deck work dimensions, shape etc.

 

Thanks

 

Andre`

[Geb]

Andre’You seem familiar enough with operations that you seem to know just what you want so all you need to do is start plugging all those elements into your 35’ yard. What kind of help were you expecting from this forum?Bill

 

[lkydvl]

 I'll try to remember that attitudes are not always as they seem on the internet. 

 

Designing it is my problem, perhaps I didn't make that clear.  So far I've been unable to come up with anything I like with the necessary components.

[Geb]

Sorry if I was offensive. You had not received any response to your first posting, so I tried to solicit what you wanted.  I am also in the rebuilding mode. My body objects to all that up-and-down in the dirt. So I am starting with paper and pencil, ( and a lot of erasure) on a scale one inch to a foot. I’m sure there are many other ways of starting out but that’s how I am doing it.

Bill

[Greg Elmassian]

 Andre, while I am far from an expert, I researched the items you mentioned... I do have a double ended yard with 2 switching leads and a caboose track.

I put the stuff I learned and some of my decision-making process here, see if it helps:

 http://www.elmassian.com/trains-mainmenu-27/planning-aamp-design-mainmenu-55/designing-a-yard-mainmenu-56

There are also pictures of my switchyard under "layout progress and development"... notice that sometimes the menus scroll downwards...

 Regards, Greg

[lkydvl]

Greg, Looking at your yard...where will you be adding the additional tracks for A/D, caboose and lead run around?

 

Andre`

[gbbari]

Here is a 35x4 ft yard layout with a TT added at one end. All #6 switches. This uses almost all stock size sectional Aristo track and 3 or 4 pieces of cut track plus one custom curved piece (15 degree curve).

This may give you some food for thought. The "main" is the 2nd track from the top - goes off either end. Passenger loading or bypass track at top. Ladder stubs at lower left (not double ended - you may have too many requirements to accomplish in 35 x 4). But this has most of what you listed for a basic small yard. The yard lead can be lengthened off to the right eventually. The cabeese track also connects to the TT. Anyway, this may give you some ideas how to modify it.
Good Luck
Al