Hello Again: I am going to relocate my mainlines entrance back into the original loop.(see photos) My plan is to extend the mainline, after its descent doing away with the sharp turnout(looks terrible) leading back to the original loop.As is, it looks like a mainline to nowhere. The plan is to continue it around next to the main loop,install a turnout leading to a R.R. Yard(Chairs area) and returning it to the main loop before it enters the tunnel.This should give me a siding and yard area.There is only ten feet from the last curve section to the tunnel entrance. Question: I want to use wide turnouts. Will there be enought length for them or should I use regular width turnouts? TOM I hope the photos show up! http://s569.photobucket.com/albums/ss134/evenfall575/Mainline%20Design/
mtm1site I want to use wide turnouts. Will there be enought length for them or should I use regular width turnouts?
I would suggest that you make the room for the larger turnouts. Anything you do at this stage will improve user satisfaction later. If you think you want it now and do not put it in now, you will be kicking yourself in the tail feathers later. Anything you do now that will ease the restrictions of types of equipment you can run later should be done, i.e. wider curves, smoother turnouts, smaller grades, etc.
Tom Trigg
OK, I think you are right about using larger turnouts for the siding. What is everyones thinking about coming off a curved section leading to the siding & yards? I think I read a post from the archives that said you shouldn't use a turnout off a curving part of a R.R. TOM
Tom
I would suggest that at least 6 inches of straight track be in line before a switch. On my sidings I have pulled them up and inserted a 6-inch straight piece before the reverse curve to run parallel with the mainline. This puts a bit more space between the two lines than I like, but it eliminates a bunch of headaches and derailments. On a mainline where speeds will be greater than those in the yards, I keep the turnouts at least eighteen inches from any curve. This "rule" is one of my preferences. I'm sure there are some out there who will say you don't need this much space, and yet others will say I do not leave enough distance. It all boils down to personal preference and what looks good to MY EYES.
I understand what you are saying ttrigg. I was thinking about using two left handed turnouts and using the curved portion of the switch in the mainline, with the straight section heading off and to the right (in the curve way before the bridge) with another straight section,or 1/2 sec. before curving back into a siding. Then the siding would enter back into the mainline using another left hand faceing turnout before entering the tunnel. I am going to buy four more switches for the yard anyway so I might as well order wide ones. This would give me more distance for the siding that will include an entrance off it into the yards. Does this sound reasonable or just plain crazy? Along with building a trestle for the rear elevation of the R.R. this will be my summer projects. I hope! TOM
Sounds like fun waiting to happen. Waiting for progress pics.
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