Benchwork about complete, now comes the fun part!

[rpbns]

Hey All,

Figuring many of you helped me with your opinions and info I wanted to give you an update.

Benchwork is about done and I'll start laying track real soon. This is the plan that I was going to go with. I changed my mind though and I'm going with the second version. This version I didn't like the crossovers in the upper right, too much I thought. Then I wasn't sure if the reverse loop was going to be difficult to wire with all the track that was attached.

 

 

 

 I prefer this revesrse loop after looking at some of the saw mills that on other threads. Trains can drop off the logs in the pond on the loop while picking up lumber on the spur. The buildings are placeholders for the sawmill. The paper mill will be made using walthers modular pieces. Sawmill and lumber yard are walthers as well. I may split the lumber yard and build in two pieces instead of one building. Other buildings are DPM.

 Going to use trees as view blocks in a few places. Upper left may end up being a "mountain" with a tunnel. Not a very big one or tall. It may start at around 15 left to right and end at 15 up and down. Could use this as a view block instead of the trees with the reverse loop. Looking at putting a small river leading into the log pond but I'm not totally sold. It would fill some of my druthers though.

This layout may be a little crowded but I'm hoping not too bad. I like the way the industries are laid out better than any of the other layouts I've posted. minimum curves are 11 degrees on the reverse loop. 12-15 on the mainline. The one question I would have is do I need another crossover from the outer mainline to the innermainline right under the runaround on the top?

I'll post some pictures when I make some progress.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Rob

[gandydancer19]

The one question I would have is do I need another crossover from the outer mainline to the innermainline right under the runaround on the top?

I would say yes.  It will increse your operating potential by giving you two main passing sidings.

[floridaflyer]

Another X-over  would be usefull, otherwise once you use the reversing loop and come back out to the outer main, you would have to back up through the lower x-over to get back on the inner main. the new X-over could be at the top or to the right of the lower X-over, this gives entrance to the inner main regardless of the direction the train is moving on the outer main and vice versa. just make the new X-over the opposite direction of the old X-over and you are is business.