After a 20+ year absence from MR'ing I've decided to jump back in. I've had the 4x8 table and also a dogbone benchwork going around three walls of a room. Both were heavy imovable space hogs, so I've decided to build a small HO scale lightweight portable layout on a 36"x80" hollow core door topped with 2" of styrofoam and atlas code 100 sectional track, with one long side of the door against a wall.
Layout back story, cause everyone loves back stories. It's the 50's and the Great Northern has an old shortline track to a car maintenance and repair shop in rural NE Minnesota (blue tracks) and a loco service track (yellow). The high grade iron ore is running out, but a small vein has been found nearby (red) and the DM&IR locos are too big to navigate the short but tight mainline (green) to get to it, so GN has agreed to shuttle the cars between the mine and their interchange track (pink) for the DM&IR to pick up. Motive power will be SW7 switchers, rolling stock will be ore cars to the mine and 35-40' tank/box/flat cars to the maintenance shop. Cars will be spotted and removed at the interchange track. Curves are 15" with snap switch turnouts and DC power (I'm the only operator). Feedback on the layout and operational design concept is welcome. Thanks.
to the forum. A picture that works is uncommon for a first post.
I haven't figured out how to work in one crossing and you have 5. Does your SW7 have any problem negotiating them?
You have 2 reversing loops, which I'm pretty sure you already know. If the track at the bottom is also meant to be a run around track, it's a bit short.
One blue track and the loco service track has to share the interchange track to gain entry. 36" depth is further than people who are 6'-6" say they can reach, so if there is a problem at the turnout at the top of the pic look for a friend who is 7'.
I'm a big fan a flex track, because you don't have those weird looking ties at each piece of sectional track and it's easy to work with.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy You have 2 reversing loops, which I'm pretty sure you already know.
You have 2 reversing loops, which I'm pretty sure you already know.
I think there's only one reversing section: the grey diagonal track.
It would be nice to have a run-around siding, though I suppose the whole layout can be viewed as one--just go out around the loop, and you'll be at the other end of your train. Still, a REAL run-around track would be more "right".
I agree about the 3 foot reach-in: Yuckee is the technical term.
Ed
Yes you are right. I'm blaming it on the colors and growing up in the psychedelic 1960's, man.
I tried to incorporate a traditional run-around siding, but it simply ate up too much space, so I am counting the crossover as a 'run-around'. As far as the reach, I've tried to keep as much of the spurs and switching movements within 18" of the front and sides (the wall will be along the top of the diagram). Since the layout is portable, if I need to do any maintenance or repair along that back stretch I can slide it away from the wall.
Curious if you or anyone else has any more input? I'm about ready to clear some space in the basement corner and start mockup and trial run of this plan.
I'd say build away! Thats how you'll find out how it will all work, then you can make adjustments where needed.
Looks good.
Mike.
My You Tube
I wouldn't be too worried about the 3' reach. Because it's built on a hollow door it will be fairly light, If you add some furniture sliders to the bottom of your table legs you can just pull it away from the wall to get the wrecking crew access to the site.
Just an N scale guy in an HO scale world.
Reading Railroad in a small space.