Layout Theory 101

[SpaceMouse]

Below is the space I have available for my layout: (Notice I gave up on Atlas RR and now am using XtraCAD)


Link: http://www.vitaconnect.com/Photos/RD01.jpg

Size: 11.5 x 11.5 x 6.5 Edges 30"W Front 48"W

There are a few basic things I want to accomplish:

1) Create a few diverse circuits to give my son continuous running of the train.
2) Run a few basic operations: switching yards, freight delivery, etc.
3) Have plausible destinations for the trains
4) Run trans through the forest (mine)
5) Create a plausible lumber operation.

My thinking so far:

The left side of the drawing is the the town and yard. The loop in the lower right is a hill and mainline passes under. The loops with the 12.5 degree crossing are 1.9% grades going up and down. And the outer loop is the highest elevation. Everything else so far is at 0 elevation.

For the rest of the layout, I want to create a lumber operation with Mill, pond, Shea, donkey's, etc. set in the 1890s. (My daughter feels Hogwarts should be on the 4x8 layout. Yes!) To me the bearuty of what I want to create is the claptogether tressel bridges, differing elevations, tall trees, and trains running through them. With the town and the turnaround loop needed at the lower right, I have about 13' x 18" to accompli***his.

Two ideas I have played with is

1) making a 3' long section drop down and put the pond an mill at the lower level about 5" below. A shea should be able to climb out of that.

In this scenario, the shea would haul lofgs to the mill and finished lumber to a platform for delivery to town.

2) Putting the left turnarounds (two levels not drawn) inside tunnels and logging off the top of the hill.

Note: I have all 18" radius turns, but the largest engine running is a 2-6-0 and longest car so far is 36'.

Any suggestions? I suspect I have too high of hopes for this layout.

[hminky]

Here is a plan for a 10x11 room:



I discuss it on my webpage:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/track_plan/

Hope that helps someone
Harold[:D]

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Here is a plan for a 10x11 room:

Thanks. I have thought of using a 4 x 8, but found the shape I have to maximize space. My area is a lot more cut off than yours. Still, I study each idea presented.

[Jetrock]

Well, SpaceMouse, it is obvious that you are getting more skilled at track planning!

But I do have one comment about your plan--the yard should meet up with the mainline, not with the turntable! The way you have it set up, there is no way for trains assembled in the yard to leave via the yard throat--they can only hit the turntable and then get put back in the yard!

Suggestion: Instead of having your yard lead meet up with the turntable, have ot connect to you A/D track closest to the layout edge. Put a yard lead running parallel to that inside curve in place of the turntable.

Move the turntable a foot or so to the left, add a spur for access to it on the upper part of that curve (geographically, at the intersection of (5,5) on your track plan) and add a couple of storage tracks off the turntable for a roundhouse--this will give you a place to store your engines.

Engine service facilities don't always have to be right next to the yard--they would generally be close, but don't have to be right next door.

[SpaceMouse]

I like the yard better. I would have done it closer to what you said, but the CAD program wouldn't let me or at least I didn't know how.


If it won't enlarge...
http://www.vitaconnect.com/RD02.jpg

[Jetrock]

Hmmm....not quite.

Leave the turntable where it is. Have the track from the turntable meet the mainline at a switch at approximately (5',6'). You'll probably need to use a curved turnout.

The yard lead should connect to the mainline at (6',6'). It's still kind of a short yard lead but you will have the basis of a real yard there, with six body tracks and a nice li'l runaround track. By adding another switch to the left of the yard lead you could theoretically extend the yard lead around the inside of that curve, but at the cost of the turntable/roundhouse.

Remember, the idea is that THE YARD THROAT NEEDS TO ATTACH EVENTUALLY TO THE MAINLINE and in the plans above it does not yet do so.

[SpaceMouse]

I think I get what you mean, although it took me a while to figure out what you meant by "Yard Throat" as I have not seen the term before. The limitation I noted before was that I cannot or don't know how to make curved turnouts with the cad program.

Just to clarify:

The track that currently goes to the turntable should go to the main.

Just beyond where the lead meets the main, a line should run to the turntable.