Selector,
Thanks for the corrections on the definitions for crossover and double-slip!
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Crossover and double-slip are two different aminals. (sp on purpose ). Ryan has a crossover depicted. A double-slip allows the diverging exit from one of two parallel tracks to take one of two choices of route; across to a third, or curving and joining the one next to the track just left. In other words, a double crossover permits entry four ways, but only one choice of route upon leaving that device...not so with the double-slip.
They don't call double-slips "puzzle switches" fer nuthin'.
SpaceMouse wrote: There is no easy fix, but a double slip there would make things a little easier. You can switch the yard and still run.
There is no easy fix, but a double slip there would make things a little easier. You can switch the yard and still run.
Chip,
I took your idea and finally drew up a new plan that incorporates a double slip crossover at the location you mentioned and in the plan it would work with very little track cutting in the existing track.
Here are a few updated track plan images:
Click on images for a larger view!
SpaceMouse wrote: Thanks for the explanation. I have two comments.I think it will be difficult to scenic because of the amount of track. .On the yard throat on the right side, the yard lead joins the main for a brief second then splits off again. There is no easy fix, but a double slip there would make things a little easier. You can switch the yard and still run. But the loop kinda ruins that a little. That whole area is a little rough for me.
Thanks for the explanation. I have two comments.
I think it will be difficult to scenic because of the amount of track. .
On the yard throat on the right side, the yard lead joins the main for a brief second then splits off again. There is no easy fix, but a double slip there would make things a little easier. You can switch the yard and still run. But the loop kinda ruins that a little. That whole area is a little rough for me.
My first response did not address the scenic elements that will be incorporated into this plan. I guess it is easier to imagine the scenic element plans while standing in the train room and looking at the current layout than trying to explain it in words. But there is a method to the madness! As I said it looks like a lot of track, but when you split out the sections each one gets defined a bit more. The scenery base ala Joe Fugate method is actually my next big project after I complete the roundhouse / turntable project.
I like the idea of the double slip switch for the yard lead into the mainline track, I will have to take a look at that as an option. That's what I love about 3rd PlanIt, I can make the changes in the drawing and then test them out with a virtual consist.
Cheers,
Ryan
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
SpaceMouse wrote: Hey Ryan, That's a lot of track there. Can you explain your operational scheme?
pcarrell wrote:Over the stairway? I assume you'll have some like plexiglass sides to keep trains from falling into the GRAND CANYON! Also, are you going to be able to reach those rails to clean and fix derails? Other then that, nice plan!
Greg H. wrote:what program did you use?
Yes Chip, from the Piedmont Division (PD) track plan itself there appears to be a whole lot of track, as a matter of fact the lower level track plan has about 290' of HO scale code 83 flex track and switches. And I hope to answer all your questions below:
However, what the track plan does not show very well is that some of the track is hidden and there are 6 main areas that encompass 13 separate Layout Design Elements (LDE's) incorporated within this level. The train room overall dimensions approximate 19'X14'.
I will separate out the individual LDE's and explain each of them for clarification purposes. And will start the descriptive analysis from the most natural point of view, and that is from the main entrance to the layout facing the staging yard area. Descriptions will continue on around the layout from left to right and will progress until ending with the around the walls double main line track that makes an ascent to the upper level deck.
The descriptions of operations my be a little spotty in some places because the upper level plans are being re-drawn at this time, and some industries will get moved around a bit, but for the most part the basic types of industries have been selected, i.e. steel, lumber, wood pulp, grain, flour, coal, propane, LPG, fuel oil, ballast.
Area #1 ~ (4 LDE's) ~ Staging Yard ~ Passenger Terminal ~ Wye ~ Turntable and Roundhouse
As for operations in this area there are 4 specific LDE's that define it and make for a lot of activity for 2 to 3 operators.
Staging yard consists of 11 tracks with the longest one in the back being about 10' and the shortest one in the front being about 3' in length. This area which serves a dual purpose of both being a staging yard and just a plain ole yard will eventually get a short 3" tall mirror added to the west wall behind the yard track ends and a auto bridge covering that for visual trickery, giving the perception that the yard continues on through the wall. Rolling stock will be stored here and somewhat classified more by function than by location requirements, i.e. box cars, gons, flats, tanks, etc.. There are two yard leads that make their way through a hidden section and then wind up to the classification yard on the south side of the layout. (more on that section later)
Passenger Terminal includes two tracks for incoming and outgoing passenger service as well as a run around track for turning service cars and locomotives. The terminal can accept a pike-size passenger train with up to six cars and two locos. Incoming passenger trains approach from the east and enter the arrival track and bring the passenger cars up to the covered terminal. Then the baggage and diner cars are uncoupled and brought to the run around siding track as the locos make their turn through the wye. While the passenger cars are being serviced and in this move the locos are serviced as well and turned around for the outbound passenger run.
Wye leading from the incoming and service tracks and into the turntable. Turning both passenger and freight locos and leads into the turntable / roundhouse.
Roundhouse and Turntable include 6 tracks and 4 inspection pits within the RH, a DCC programming track and others. The plan is for these TT and RH tracks to each have a SPST power switch so that they remain off most of the time, no need to have a dozen or so locos sitting around idling....well maybe one or two! This is also the hub of all MOW and locomotive maintenance activities for the PD. Including all refueling, sanding, and minor and major loco repairs for both freight and passenger traffic. Also, a RIP track will be incorporated here as well. This is surely going to be a central point of activity!
This area is my current focus on layout work and continues today. Influenced by the prototype roundhouse and turntable located at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC, this HO LDE will try to capture the essence of the Southern Railway Spencer Locomotive Shops. You can view my current work on this section of the layout at Roundhouse and Turntable Renovation Project.
Area #2 ~ (2 LDE's) ~ Lumber Supply and Steel Fabrication Industries ~ Trestle and Water Feature
The predominate characteristics here are the two industries and a scenic element of a trestle and a water feature highlighting a flowing stream. (real water will not be used)
Lumber Supply and Steel Fabrication Industries offer plenty of switching opportunities with inbound lumber loads of various shapes and sizes as well as empties for outbound returns. And the same type of operations for the steel industry as well. Raw steel sheets and forms arrive on flats and are unloaded for fabrication, however, besides mostly empties on the outbound there will be some fabricated steel shipped out on rail as well as the typical flat bed truck loads.
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan Reply
Hey Ryan,
That's a lot of track there. Can you explain your operational scheme?
This is my latest incarnation of my layout plan, updated with a new loop coming out of the classification yard west end lead track and tying in with the westbound main line. Hurray, I finally figured it out! It took many months of thought and consideration to bring this idea to fruition.
The loop addition will be incorporated into existed track and I will have to cut out two sections to add the switches from the yard lead and the main line track. The other hurdle will be that the main line track coming up from the North side will have to be raised about another 1/2" to 3/4" inch while the start of the loop coming out of the yard lead will have to drop about a 1/2" inch. This will combine for a total +3" clearance from the top of the lower rail to the bottom of the mainline upper rail which will also be replaced with a girder bridge.
The loop will have an average 3% grade as it traverses over the stairway and wends its way to the main line about 6" above the other tracks.
So far so good, the dream and plan part are done. Now comes the build...
Plan facing South:
This is the plan rendered in 3D (facing North):