So, with the help of CSXFan putting this in scale, I have settled on a track plan.
Thoughts?
BTW- it's HO.
With just a first cursory glance, I would have a crossover or something to permit running around on those two far left parallel tracks. Otherwise, you can only shove into them, unless you don't mind tying up the loco by pulling it in first and letting it sit during all that loading.
Also, you are no doubt aware that you have a reverse loop at that interchange centre-left, at the crossing. No biggie as long as you know to plan for its management.
Why the loop, anyway? Will it be for turning entire trains onto another module eventually?
Other issue I see right off the bat - all spurs face the same way. Might get a little old after a while. Also, as pointed out, you have a reversing loop. Given that much of your switching will take place on or about the reversing loop, I would want to automate polarity matching in both DC and DCC. Auto-reversers are common in DCC; not so easy implemented with DC given the mulitple paths to needing a polarity reversal.
just my thoughts
Fred W
What does it do? How do you operate it? It is obviously an interchange, but none of the legs goes any place or has room to stage a train.
I would push the main over to one side, put the interchange tracks on one side and than go to the yard on the other side. Operation would be running from the yard to the interchange and switching industries at either point. I definitely wouldn't have the yard lead cross the main line. In convienient to everybody.
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Looking at the plan, I can't quite see what you are trying to accomplish operationally.
You have a branch line that leaves the main and crosses back over the main to a 3 track yard. At the crossing you have an interchange/connection track with the main. This would seem to make the branch loop redundant. Your only run around track crosses the main which requires blocking the main for a lot of your switching.
If your goal is to operate a branchline off the main, then I would undo the crossing and shift the mainline to the right and the 3 track yard to the left. Then you could add a run around track where the branch and the main meet so you could run point to point from the main to the end of the branch. You could also add a backdrop down the center of the table.
I would also suggest you convert to a loop for continuous running.
Take a look at these project layouts of the Gateway Division of the NMRA. http://www.gatewaynmra.org/project.htm some of these look like they might fit your needs and all of them would benefit from being stretched to 10 ft.
Enjoy
Paul