Composite of my yard.
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
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Troy,
I can see where you are headed but you need to rethink this a bit. How would you get a string of cars from your A/D track to a classification track? You would need to leave a classification track half empty just to be able to get past your yard lead switch before you could back the string into the yard lead. You would also be blocking the main while trying to get the string from the A/D track into the classification area.
In our compressed modeling world this is when a good double slip switch would really come in handy even if it would not be used in the prototype. With a double slip you could back directly from the A/D track into your yard lead and then be ready to sort the cut.
If your yard lead tied back into the main on the right edge of your drawing at least you could move the whole cut into the yard lead and then sort from there. You would still be blocking the main for a little while but at least you could fill up the class yard.
The above assumes that you are going to use the yard lead as a classification lead. Since you show servicing facilities (diesel/sand) there I am not sure. If you are going to do class work from the main then ignore what I said.
Good luck,-John
I agree with John.
Install a double-slip in place of the first turnout just to the left of the loco by the service facilities. Add a turnout from the A/D track to the left of the new double-slip to connect to the main and the yard lead. That way you can go directly from the A/D track to the yard lead for classification work.
I would also add a turnout connecting the end of the yard lead to the main at the lower right. That way you could get a train in off the main and right into the lead and A/D track.
If you also put a tail track on the end of the yard lead with a second turnout, which now makes a crossover, you could move the loco service facilities down to it. So now you bring out your switcher from the 'tail track - loco facilities' to classify the train, cut loose the motive power from the front of the train, run it around the train and/or the switcher (depending on which way the inbound train is facing) on the main and duck in to the loco facilities behind the train.
One more thing. You could also add a turnout with a tail track to the left end of your A/D track. This could be used for a caboose track, if you need one.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
In an effort to use what I have on hand I moved one switch and added two more. I'm planning to operate the "Devinville RR" as a local with an interchange with both the "NS" and the "GMO" with that in mind their would be no need for the main line engines to access the loco servicing area.
Very good. Much smoother operations now and the main stays clear.
-John
Good changes. I think you will be pleased with how smooth it will operate now.
BUT: I do think the enging service facility should be some place other than on the yard lead. I may be wrong, but I don't think that was done. Of course there is usually an exception to every rule.
gandydancer19 wrote: Good changes. I think you will be pleased with how smooth it will operate now.BUT: I do think the enging service facility should be some place other than on the yard lead. I may be wrong, but I don't think that was done. Of course there is usually an exception to every rule.
How about if Johnny takes inspiration from David Popp's Waterbury yard and does something like this ?
Ie - add a runaround parallell to the yard ladder and let engine service (and possibly a caboose track or a RIP track, if desired) branch off from the runaround.
Smile, Stein
steinjr wrote: gandydancer19 wrote: Good changes. I think you will be pleased with how smooth it will operate now.BUT: I do think the enging service facility should be some place other than on the yard lead. I may be wrong, but I don't think that was done. Of course there is usually an exception to every rule. How about if Johnny takes inspiration from David Popp's Waterbury yard and does something like this ? Ie - add a runaround parallell to the yard ladder and let engine service (and possibly a caboose track or a RIP track, if desired) branch off from the runaround. Smile, Stein
I like that Stein. I really do like that.
But my software will not let me draw a turning wye into the red area of module #2 with the track continuing on to module #3. If someone could draw that into Stein's drawing for me, I would be eternally grateful.
While I was looking over Stein's design, I seen that a simple flip of one turnout would let the yard move to the right gaining that space on the left end. While I see no problem sense this comes off the main onto the yard lead and it would be at a lower speed.
Johnnny_reb wrote: While I was looking over Stein's design, I seen that a simple flip of one turnout would let the yard move to the right gaining that space on the left end. While I see no problem sense this comes off the main onto the yard lead and it would be at a lower speed.
I like it - that is a nice improvement! A 40 foot car is about 5 1/2 inches long in H0 - adding 4-6 inches can translate to increasing total yard capacity by three cars (one on each track - a significant addition to a yard this size) - but more important - it can increase train lengths you can run on your layout by making the A/D track a little longer.
Grin, Stein
Texas Zepher wrote:I see everyone else has already made all the comments I would have made. However, I see the "final" drawing has four yard tracks instead of three and the industrial tracks have gone away. I hope this isn't the real final design. I would definitely go for just three yard tracks if it comes to a decision between the industries and one additional yard track.
Here's the latest rendition of my yard. Texas Zepher I think this one is the closest so far to what I wanted. Please note that the turning wye has been drawn in freehand. I know that it's too large, but it's freehand and it gives me an idea of how it fits into the track plan.
Johnnny_reb wrote: Please note that the turning wye has been drawn in freehand. I know that it's too large, but it's freehand and it gives me an idea of how it fits into the track plan.
Hmmm - I suspect that your turning wye is drawn too small. Tried to create one where curve radius stayed at no less than 20-22". Then it seems to take about this much space (when you include a tail track, so it actually can be used for turning trains):
Eats up a significant part of your layout. May or may not be worth it, depending on what you are modelling.
The changes are looking good.
As for the wye, if you are not turning entire trains, have you considered a turntable? (But that does suggest a larger engine facility.) Since it seems to be a small engine facility that the mainline engines aren't going to use, as you said before, how about a wye somewhere else?
I think that sometimes, locos had to run for a couple of miles when they needed to use a wye. A wye in a corner would take up less room, perhaps on another module.
If you still thought that the turntable would work better, you could model the location as a "former" larger service facility. You could put in the turntable, and model the outline foundation of a roundhouse and lay your track over it, therby giving the impression that a roundhouse once existed there, but the RR decided to tear it down because they needed the space for new trackage, or a change in trackwork. Just a thought.
I was thinking of a 6th Module but not right there in that configuration, but it works for me. I'm planning not to run much over 50' or anything larger then a GP ( 4 axel ) for power as I want a working railroad. Watching a passenger train chase its tail is just boring to me. I may however kitbash a "Theater Car". But general freight is what I'm looking for.
Thanks for the help with the yard.
The "NS" wyes and crossovers are all I need.