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New layout plans - feedback welcome
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What is the purpose of the twin helixes? It doesn't appear that you are using the space above or below for additional mainline run or modeled scenes, so I am guessing that you just need head clearance for the duckunder. If this is so, you might just consider building the entire layout at closer to eye level to begin with; many advanced modelers have come to a conclusion that the realism is enhanced by doing so. <br /> <br />I am a proponent of the one-turn helix, as a means to a different end: it extends the length of mainline between two model towns. Actually, I'm experimenting with a concept I've labeled "Foreground Miles" on my home layout, where the mainline runs once through a fully modeled scene, then goes hidden and turns back, then turns again to pop out on a small non-modeled shelf just in front of the fascia. In this way, I get three times the mainline length, with the line running through the scene once, behind or under it once, and then in front of it once. Just prior to the next town, a one-turn helix can bring it back up to the "modeled" level. The foreground trackage can incorporate a passing siding and be part of the overall operating scheme, and it can also serve as a "fiddle yard" for adding or removing rolling stock, if the layout lacks an accessible staging yard. <br /> <br />On the track plan you show, the easiest way to incorporate "Forgeround Miles" would be to connect the two helixes in a different way. Exiting the yard on the left, the main could skip the first helix, turn down at the second helix to run backwards and hidden, then turn again where the first helix is to run in the "Foreground". If you're not opposed to winding through the same scene twice or in more than one direction, then you wouldn't have to hide any of this turning-back. But overall you'd gain a lot more running length. <br /> <br />One other consideration: where you have industrial spurs indicated, I'd encourage you to place short runaround tracks to aid with their switching. If you're really wanting to model an active high-traffic mainline, then a train-length passing siding would be appropriate, so that the parked cuts of cars during switching do not foul the main. And, go ahead and use some sharper-radius curves on the spurs; it will visually highlight the distinction between main and spur to do so. I'd incorporate an 18" radius curve here or there, especially where it can contrast with a 28" or larger mainline curve. <br /> <br />Finally, the yard as you've designed it is lacking a drill track, or tracks. This would be a long stub ended track parallel to the main line which is as long as most of your yard tracks, so that when a switcher is shuffling cars, it doesn't have to back out onto the main to do so. Avoiding the first helix, as mentioned above, would allow you to incorporate such a drill track, and don't worry about using a tighter radius here. The main can still bend around the corner at its minimum radius, and the drill track can be tighter to fit inside; you'll only be using a short-wheelbase switcher at slow speeds here anyways. <br /> <br />Hope there's some ideas in here that help!
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