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New track design, Feedback needed!

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New track design, Feedback needed!
Posted by Trainzman2435 on Friday, February 14, 2020 10:38 AM

Hello guys, i recently updated my N scale track plan from what it was intended to be taking into account a lot of your alls suggestions. I posted the newest version of my plan on my old thread but it seemed to be way down at the bottom of newer posts so i thought i would create this new thread, sorry if it causes any problems. Anyways, if you guys dont mind give me some input on the latest design and your recommendations.....Thanks a ton everyone!

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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, February 14, 2020 10:59 AM

It's not that far down the list, you could've just continued with it but, whatever.  The moderator might combine them anyway.

I always thought that the roundhouse and turn table was usually by the yard, and other locomotive facilities.  Yours seems to be on the other end of your "world", not that it matters, I guess.

Looking at your new version, in your "other" thread, I see only 1 track to the turn table?

Did you get the walls finished? and backdrop ready?

Mike.

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, February 14, 2020 11:25 AM

Agree with Mike.  Just continue your thread already made - that way it could be a sort of blog like topic.

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Posted by Pruitt on Friday, February 14, 2020 11:44 AM

On your center peninsula, you might think about eliminating the reverse loops at the turnback curve. Extend the curves leading into the peninsula (curves from the wall into the peninsula at the right) and then make the straight track tangent to the turnback curve at the left and the peninsula-entry curve at the right. If you plan passing sidings on these straight tracks, you'll find you have a lot more length to work with than in your current diagram.
You can go even farther, and in that distance you have room for some large-radius cosmetic curvves if you like (even with passing sidings), or if you prefer the straight tracks, you might find the longer straights look better to you than the shorter ones on your plan. And you'll get a better view down the tracks of the straight sections from the turnback curve.

All according to whatever your preferences are, of course. Just a thought.

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Friday, February 14, 2020 5:25 PM

mbinsewi

It's not that far down the list, you could've just continued with it but, whatever.  The moderator might combine them anyway.

I always thought that the roundhouse and turn table was usually by the yard, and other locomotive facilities.  Yours seems to be on the other end of your "world", not that it matters, I guess.

Looking at your new version, in your "other" thread, I see only 1 track to the turn table?

Did you get the walls finished? and backdrop ready?

Mike.

 

Mike, thanks...i will continue with my old thread. As for the round house etc, i have not decided to even keep it or not but i didnt really have room at the lower curve for it to fit properly next to the yard so i may just omit the turntable all together and just go with the engine service building and facility. As for the backdrop and walls, yes sir i did.....Thanks!

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Friday, February 14, 2020 5:27 PM

Pruitt

On your center peninsula, you might think about eliminating the reverse loops at the turnback curve. Extend the curves leading into the peninsula (curves from the wall into the peninsula at the right) and then make the straight track tangent to the turnback curve at the left and the peninsula-entry curve at the right. If you plan passing sidings on these straight tracks, you'll find you have a lot more length to work with than in your current diagram.
You can go even farther, and in that distance you have room for some large-radius cosmetic curvves if you like (even with passing sidings), or if you prefer the straight tracks, you might find the longer straights look better to you than the shorter ones on your plan. And you'll get a better view down the tracks of the straight sections from the turnback curve.

All according to whatever your preferences are, of course. Just a thought.

 

Mark, thanks for your input. I am trying to picture what exactly you are describing but i am having trouble. Any chance you might be able to roughly draw into my plan what you are referring to? Thank you sir!

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Posted by richhotrain on Friday, February 14, 2020 5:46 PM

Trainzman2435

Hello guys, i recently updated my N scale track plan from what it was intended to be taking into account a lot of your alls suggestions. 

That's the problem when you open up your layout plan to critique. Everyone says, do it this way or don't do it that way. You wind up pleasing no one including yourself.

Back when you started the Where To Isolate thread, you had a decent workable plan that simply needed to be tweaked to accomodate reversing sections to change the direction of the trains. The answer to your question, where to isolate, was given on page 1 of that thread. You ought to consider going back to your original plan.

Rich

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Saturday, February 15, 2020 7:38 AM

richhotrain

 

 
Trainzman2435

Hello guys, i recently updated my N scale track plan from what it was intended to be taking into account a lot of your alls suggestions. 

 

 

That's the problem when you open up your layout plan to critique. Everyone says, do it this way or don't do it that way. You wind up pleasing no one including yourself.

 

Back when you started the Where To Isolate thread, you had a decent workable plan that simply needed to be tweaked to accomodate reversing sections to change the direction of the trains. The answer to your question, where to isolate, was given on page 1 of that thread. You ought to consider going back to your original plan.

Rich

 

Rich, thank you sir for the wise words of wisdom....I think you are right on the nail head there and i am going back to review my old thread now!.....Thumbs Up

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Saturday, February 15, 2020 7:55 AM

richhotrain

Rich, i sent you a friend request sir but for some reason i am not able to "Start a Message" with you, it will let me type the "Subjest" line but will not allow me to typ anything in the "Body" of the message. Thanks again!

 

 
Trainzman2435

Hello guys, i recently updated my N scale track plan from what it was intended to be taking into account a lot of your alls suggestions. 

 

 

That's the problem when you open up your layout plan to critique. Everyone says, do it this way or don't do it that way. You wind up pleasing no one including yourself.

 

Back when you started the Where To Isolate thread, you had a decent workable plan that simply needed to be tweaked to accomodate reversing sections to change the direction of the trains. The answer to your question, where to isolate, was given on page 1 of that thread. You ought to consider going back to your original plan.

Rich

 

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, February 15, 2020 8:13 AM

 

Here was your original plan with a reverse loop in the upper section and another reverse loop in the lower section. This plan would permit you to reverse the direction of the train and then back again in the original direction. If you need more length for the reverse loop on the bottom section, simply extend that red dotted line further to the right.
 
Rich

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Posted by Pruitt on Saturday, February 15, 2020 10:47 AM

Trainzman2435
Mark, thanks for your input. I am trying to picture what exactly you are describing but i am having trouble. Any chance you might be able to roughly draw into my plan what you are referring to? Thank you sir!

Trainzman2435,

Here's what I meant:

The two green lines would be the new track, replacing the two tracks as you drew them. Simply adjust the curves to be tangent at both ends and change the benchwork outline to support, as you see fit.

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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, February 15, 2020 1:51 PM

Trainzman2435, check your PMs.

Rich

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Saturday, February 15, 2020 3:03 PM

richhotrain

Trainzman2435, check your PMs.

Rich

 

Rich, i got your PM and fully understand what you mean.....Plus your idea sounds good enough. It would not let me reply to your message but thank a ton for your input sir!...Big Smile

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Saturday, February 15, 2020 3:03 PM

Pruitt

 

 
Trainzman2435
Mark, thanks for your input. I am trying to picture what exactly you are describing but i am having trouble. Any chance you might be able to roughly draw into my plan what you are referring to? Thank you sir!

 

Trainzman2435,

 

Here's what I meant:

The two green lines would be the new track, replacing the two tracks as you drew them. Simply adjust the curves to be tangent at both ends and change the benchwork outline to support, as you see fit.

 

Mark, thank you kind sir....Now i see what you mean and i will give it thought....Thumbs Up

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 1:07 PM

richhotrain

 

Here was your original plan with a reverse loop in the upper section and another reverse loop in the lower section. This plan would permit you to reverse the direction of the train and then back again in the original direction. If you need more length for the reverse loop on the bottom section, simply extend that red dotted line further to the right.
 
Rich
 

 

Rich, i went back and took what you suggested into account but have a small dilema as far as leaving the double slip switch where it was located. From right behind the turntable and round house all along that back straight stretch has been elevated to 4" by a 2% grade so i am not sure how to go about working the double slip switch back in??? Basically all along the north back side and up to and including the gravel quarry is elevated so in order to be able to work the double slip back in i would need to be able to come into it from the middle lower section around the peninsula somewhere if that makes any sense??? Anyways, if you have an idea please let me know...Many thanks.

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Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 2:20 PM

You could actually put both reversing sections on the bottom portion of the layout. Your track diagram already shows one reversing section (red dotted line) running NE to SW. Add another reversing section running NW to SE connecting on the other end of that 5-track yard.

Rich

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 8:18 PM

richhotrain

You could actually put both reversing sections on the bottom portion of the layout. Your track diagram already shows one reversing section (red dotted line) running NE to SW. Add another reversing section running NW to SE connecting on the other end of that 5-track yard.

Rich

 

Rich, i reworked the track plan according to your suggestions as well as added a couple of things. I posted the update back in my originol thread so if you could please take a look and see what you think and what suggestions you may have...Thanks buddy and here is the originol thread link so i can keep it all in one place!

 http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/279190.aspx?page=1

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 3:35 AM

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 3:49 AM

Trainzman2435
 
richhotrain

You could actually put both reversing sections on the bottom portion of the layout. Your track diagram already shows one reversing section (red dotted line) running NE to SW. Add another reversing section running NW to SE connecting on the other end of that 5-track yard.

Rich 

Rich, i reworked the track plan according to your suggestions as well as added a couple of things. I posted the update back in my originol thread so if you could please take a look and see what you think and what suggestions you may have. 

That rework wasn't what I suggested at all. Since you could no longer implement your original idea about using the double slip to reverse direction, I merely suggested adding a reversing section at the bottom of the track plan. I posted my suggested modifications in your other thread. By the way, too many threads going on here.

Rich

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 7:12 AM

OK, I give up.  Which thread am I suppose to watch?  Confused

Mike.

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 7:21 AM

mbinsewi

OK, I give up.  Which thread am I suppose to watch?  Confused

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 9:25 AM

I love it!

Mike.

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 4:26 PM

Alright everyone (Rich) lol....Here is my latest attempt at my track plan. Let me know what you think or any other suggestions....Thanks everyone!

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 4:52 PM

I like the track plan, particularly the bottom portion where you now have the ability to reverse the direction of the trains and back again in the opposite direction.

But, I am curious why you eliminated the yard on the upper portion. That upper yard gave more meaning to the turntable and roundhouse which are now isolated from the rest of the layout.

Rich

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 5:03 PM

"

But, I am curious why you eliminated the yard on the upper portion. That upper yard gave more meaning to the turntable and roundhouse which are now isolated from the rest of the layout.

Rich"

Rich, i have not done away with it, i am just in the re design process of it since i removed the double slip switch. I am having a hard time deciding how to go about both entering and exiting the yard/turn table facility now since the rear portion of the layout is now elevated and as said before, the double slip is gone. If you have any suggestions as the best way to enter the turn table facility and yard i am all ears lol. Thanks again for all of your suggestions sir!

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 5:19 PM

OK, so the grade elevation begins to the left of the passing siding on the upper portion of the layout?

At what point does the elevation return to ground level?

Rich

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 5:37 PM

richhotrain

OK, so the grade elevation begins to the left of the passing siding on the upper portion of the layout?

At what point does the elevation return to ground level?

Rich

 

Rich, yes sir correct. Please see the red line where the elevation begins and the green line where the elevation ends. Thanks again!

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Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 5:58 PM

I added a blue line to the track diagram to form a lead track into the turntable/roundhouse, and I deleted the double slip. That blue line would be at ground level, correct?

A switcher could pull the uncoupled cars into the yard below the blue line. Just one way to reach the turntable/roundhouse. I am sure that others may have some alternative track routing into the turntable/roundhouse.

Rich

Presentation2.jpg

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 6:25 PM

richhotrain

I added a blue line to the track diagram to form a lead track into the turntable/roundhouse, and I deleted the double slip. That blue line would be at ground level, correct?

A switcher could pull the uncoupled cars into the yard below the blue line. Just one way to reach the turntable/roundhouse. I am sure that others may have some alternative track routing into the turntable/roundhouse.

Rich

Presentation2.jpg

 

Rich, i added an image of the current track plan. Please note that the tracks inside the red all the way down to and including the gravel quarry are on an elevation. All tracks from the red line south twoards the yard are at zero elevation. Thanks again sir!

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Posted by Trainzman2435 on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 7:07 PM

Here is a rough idea of what i am thinking as far as working the turn table and engine service facility into the track plan....Give me your input/suggestions please!

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