New layout plan that needs a little critiquing

[rpbns]

Hey all,

 I'm back with another version of a plan on work on every so often. I've kept in mind all suggestions I've been given over the months (especially the patience of Chip & Phil) and hopefully I've put them to proper use.

Background: Layout with be transition era, based loosely on New York Central (New York city native). N Scale size 42"x84" (apartment living contraints). I have the industries; log, lumber and paper which I know may not be the most realistic for the NYC but that is why it's loosely based. All turns are 13.75" radius minimum. Will most likely be running short trains.

The yard on the bottom isn't a real "working" yard, more somewhere I can store cars and maybe do a little yard work to get a feel for when the big layout happens. Figure I can have a few cars on the 3 yard tracks, the two engines I plan on running on the runaround on the lead. The lead is about the same length of my longest yard track, give or take an inch.

Three big areas of concern I have about the plan;

1) Will the reverse loop be enough to turn around trains so I can utilize the double tracks to go in opposite directions?

2) Are the crossovers from outside to inside track useful? By that I mean, are they pointed in right direction, should they be outside to in, inside to out, close enough to the reverse loop to turn a train operationally speaking.

3) Do you think I need another runaround loop on the bottom industry spur, or have the industry spur run off a runaround? I tried adding this and didn't like the way it looked really, at least on paper and it was only about 20" in length and I didn't think that would be long enough. Would this be a make or break issue switching wise, or would it be something I can suffer through?

I do like several things about the layout, the double main, the reverse loop, the small yard to at least imagine some operations as well as several industry areas. A backdrop/divider may come up in the middle of the layout going lengthwise to add some size to it. This will also allow kitbashed industry fronts, an idea I'm contemplating. Tried to avoid the parallel tracks to the edge of the table (ty Selector) and I think I have room to add some nice scenery and a small town in each loop which I can't wait to start. Really looking forward to that!!

Here it is:

Thanks for all the help

Rob

[HHPATH56]

Hi rpbns,

I guess that I am the first one to critique your layout.   For an N scale layout, 42"x84" is a good starting size. I was going to suggest using double-slip switches, but my LHS states that he does not believe double-slip switches are available, in N scale. The reverse loop appears to be long enough to handle a 15-18 N scale cars. If you reversed the crossover in the upper right, that sevices the industry spur, or perhaps just moved it to the left of the crossover below it, it might be more useful as a runaround or to enable a train to go from the top track to the inner mainline. It appears that making the lower industry spur into a runaround,rather than a dead-end spur, could also allow two trains to pass (in the same sirection, or in opposite directions). The lengths of the yard tracks are a little short, but In general, I think your layout will make a great starter.   Bob Hahn

[SpaceMouse]

There's no reason to have the runaround in the yard. You can put it just outside the yard with a little fudging and make your storage yard larger and have the option of working it if you want later.

[pcarrell]

This is pretty darned good.  There are a few "S" curve issues caused by turnouts, but all in all, it's pretty good!  Those "S" curves may not be that big of a deal if you're using truck mounted couplers though like most N scale equipment does.

[Anonymous]

Redundant Crossovers. Lose one of them and you still retain the track function to any point on the railroad plan.

One modeled town somewhere is better than two. I point to David V's layout as a example.

You might want one more industry, but I have no idea where you can place it with this current plan.

At the moment you can make a small train, travel to the industry, switch it and then return.

Now what?

It is NOT a bad effort at all, I like it alot. Just leaning a bit heavy on the plan and testing it like a devils advocate for flaws or reasons the track the way it is.

[rpbns]

Bob, I see what you mean regarding moving the turnout into the runaround in the upper right. I'm going to give that shot and see how it feels.

Hey Chip, long time...one of the reasons I had that runaround is to store a switcher there along with my engines being that I'm not going to have an engine house or roundhouse. I'm afraid of extending the yard out because I will be shortening the lead unless I use the long yard track as an arrival/departure track where I build trains.

Hey Phil, I'm hoping the "S" curves don't throw me off too much or aren't too extreme. Guess I'll find out though.

Fans, thanks for the input devil's advocate is what I'm looking for. Funny you mentioned Dave V's layout. This layout is originally based off some of those ideas. He actually responded to one of my earlier plans. The only place I can put another industry is if I split one of the inner loop spurs or extend and split the spur off making an industrial complex (of a smaller size). One of the reasons I'm going with logging, lumber and paper is so my trains have deliveries from one to another to another. Thinking of adding an interchange track with a trackside transfer building (space premitting) for possible extension or just the idea of another destination.

Thanks for the replies as always. They are appreciated.

Thanks