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Track Plan Review
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<p>GK,</p><p>I think you need to move the entrance to the engine service area further East, perhaps reversing it to enter from East to West. Here is why I say this:</p><p>There is a arrival of 10 cars on the arrival track (9). The yard switcher latches on to those cars and moves East until the cars clear the crossover. Then the switcher moves West and starts pushing cars into the classification tracks (10).</p><p>At the same time a loco has finished being serviced and is wanting to get to an outbound train on track 8. It can't get there because track 10 is blocked with the cut of cars being classified.</p><p>If the entrance to the engine service area was further East, say with a lefthanded crossover at about the location of the number 7 in your drawing, then engines could arrive/depart from the servicing area without interfering with the classification actions going on West of that location.</p><p>Second, the feeder to the fuel/sand deliver track (6) seems overly complex. You might consider removing the leftmost switch on this track and then you could move the right switch further West. OR: Remove the right switch and have the track that is next to the edge of the layout in this area also feed the turntable. This would give you more flexibility in turntable arrival/departure. </p><p>Finally, you might consider switching the functionality of track groups 11 and 13. This would put the caboose storage closer to the engine service/shop (on RR property) and have the fuel oil company in the corner where there will be more space for structure/scenery.</p><p>General Comments:</p><p>I can't tell turnout angles from the drawing. You noted a #4 minimum. I would make sure that your crossovers are #6 since a lot of them will have strings of cars being pushed through them. You might get away with Atlas #4.5 if you keep all your rolling stock short.</p><p>If you are planning to use Atlas track then it is definately worthwile to spend the time learning how to use the Atlas (free) RTS track planning software. It is a good tool even for other track brands. When one is trying to cram a lot into a little area like you have to, track planning software really comes in handy.</p><p>Good luck,<br />-John</p><p> </p>
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