Colorado Ray why not model the 1880's era with 30 ft cars? Ray
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SPSOT fan what if you built it in some narrow guage, perhaps an industrial railroad. HOn2 1/2
Both of these ideas are possibilities to make it work.
The below pictures show what I am working with. I made a mock-up of the entrance from the visible layout into staging.
The tiles are 12" square, my floor is a handy planning grid.
This shows where the Timesaver is planned to go, above the curved tracks. The Timesaver is in green. The area in the orange box will be downtown in the city of Centerviille.
You see, 5 feet covers more track than I really want hidden. 4 feet 6 inches would be better.
I will keep thinking about it.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
You could try fiddling with curving some of the timesaver into downtown Centerville. That would use more space over all most likely but it could use more of the space you want to use! However there would then be the issue of coupling on curves, which is difficult at best!
If you like the idea you’ll have to fiddle with it to see if it will work!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
I built a mock-up of the timesaver using nothing but #6 swicthes, and it was only 12 inches longer, just a tad over 74 inches.
My space saving idea I am willing to declare a failure for my desires.
I am going to look through Byron's link for an interestting layout in the 12 inch by 48 inch size.
Hi Kevin,
I built a timesaver when I constructed a N scale coffee table layout about 10 or so years ago. The time saver is incorporated inside a loop of track and features a small harbor. The time saver was interesting to operate, but after a while I got a bit tired of it due to the switching limitations (an engine plus 1 car). It didn't really duplicate track diagrams seen on maps. I'm glad I tried it, but for my next layout I don't plan to rebuild a timesaver, I'd rather use a prototype track diagram that isn't so much a puzzle but is based on an actual location (think LDE).
You may want to try this suggestion to see if your track diagram works for you. If I see a track plan somewhere that has an interesting look or has potential operational interest for me, I like to use Kato sectional track to try the idea out. It doesn't have to be exact, just close enough so you can see if you like it. You can also tweak the plan and see what works and what doesn't. Anyway, you may want to give it a try.
Just a thought,
Jeff
groundeffectsYou may want to try this suggestion to see if your track diagram works for you. If I see a track plan somewhere that has an interesting look or has potential operational interest for me, I like to use Kato sectional track to try the idea out. It doesn't have to be exact, just close enough so you can see if you like it.
Jeff, as you can see in the earlier posts, I also use Kato and other track components to mock up track arrangements.
I looked through the lonks Byron shared. I found some shortened versions of the Timesaver that bring it down to 12 by 48 inches. I also found some other little track arrangements that look interesting.
I think I found two or three that could do what I want (waste time).
I cleaned out the garage a little bit more today, and I found a stash of HOn3 trackage that I had.
This might also help shrink the timesaver. If I use HOn3 track and build 32 foot long frieght cars.
Unfortuntely I do not have enough HOn3 track components to fully mock-up the idea and make some measurements, so that will need to wait until the post-corona period and I will make some copies.
What are the thoughts on an industrial switching section with Narrow Gauge trackage? Would that look completely unbelievable?
Narrow gauge was certainly used for industrial trackage in places. So you can probably get away with it. Usually this would be a single product industry though, not a wide variety or a business park sort of thing. The problem is getting incoming material from the standard gauge cars to narrow gauge, and vice-versa. The East Broad Top comes to mind - but they had clearances such that they swapped trucks under hoppers to haul empties to the mines on the 3' gauge track and then put them back on standard gauge trucks when loaded.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Since my timesaver will be completely isolated from the rest of the layout, I think the HOn3 option might be worth looking more closely into.
I would need a SHORT HOn3 diesel.
I will keep a pin in this idea for now.