Fun with my newbie layout - part 2

[Anonymous]

I think this is the last time I use E-Z track. It just seems to be way to limiting. My layout borrows heavily from SpaceMouse's 4x8 but he was able to design alot more into his than I can fit in a 5x9 with E-Z track.

As you can see something is actually starting to take shape now. I am working with foam which is nice but I have alot more cutting and shapping to do. Building a mountain and tunnel for instance should be fun.

Questions: Am I limiting myself in anyway with this layout? Seems after test running the track that about 6 cars is my max train, anymore and I do not think I can break it up to deliver goods. Should I try to fit in spaces for longer trains? You guys see anything else that will need attention?

Thanks,

Ed

[SpaceMouse]

I'm actually surprize that you could get so much done with EZ track. You should be able to get a lot of fun working that layout and learn a lot from it.

Nice adaptation. Good job.

 

Chip 

 

[schdp]

Ed,

Looks great!!! Just one question, do you plan to push the cars up the incline using the runaround on the lower level? (area below the building) If so you are good otherwise you might want to take one of the industries out and make a runaround in the top section.

I'm new to this as well but have been learning by running on a basement sized operations layout, I would say 7 cars is a good amount for "locals" to run the branch lines and pickup/deliver the goods. Now you can always add more and take cuts into the areas with limited space. That is one of the moves built into the layout I've been running on (it was part of the prototype as well) and it makes a challenge but adds to the realisim.

Spacemouse plus many others helped me really look at how to make it work so I'm just passing on information I have learned from them...

Eitherway have fun with the layout, I'd know I'd like to run on it! 

Dave 

 

[C&O Fan]

Looks like you're having fun !

The only suggestion i would offer is to make your tunnel longer

it should be as long as your longest train that way the whole train disappears

You can even park it in the tunnel and wait a while for it to reappear

while you do some switching with another engine

This is easy to do with DCC

If your layout is going to be DC then the tunnel would have to be wired to a seperate

block to turn the power off to the train in the tunnel so you could operate a second train

 

There's nothing wrong with short trains

I'd rather see a short train on a small layout than a long train chasing it's own caboose

[stebbycentral]

I built my layout with EZ-track but with one signficant modification.  I used standard Atlas turnouts instead of Bachman's.  Because on the Atlas turnout the radius of the curved section is greater than the Bachman turnout.  I think they look a lot better visually, and you have closer spacing between passing tracks. 

And it's not that difficult to adapt Atlas switches.  I simply cut off the plastic joiner clip from one end of a section of EZ-track and infill the area where the turnout sets with good old cork roadbed material set on carboard shims to bring it up to the correct height.   Here is a picture of what I was able to accomplish with this method.  All the track except the turnouts is EZ-track.

I see that you are somewhat far along with your layout, but not so far that you couldn't go back and substitute a couple of Atlas standard turnouts to see if that improves things for you. 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys for input, please keep it coming.

Dave - yes I plan to push back up the incline from the runaround. There is no direct access from the yard to the industries. It requires a once around and then across the 30 degree crossing. Returning to the yard requires coming back to the main then backing up from the runaround.

Terry - yes this will be a DCC setup when done. Right now I am in the process of returning my controller since it has absolutely no speed control. The trains work on DC just fine for test runs. I think mabey I'll have the outside loop tunnel run longer. Thanks for the idea. The inside loop from the yard I would like to pass through a canyon like area first prior to the tunnel.

Stebbycentral - nice work with the atlas turnouts. Nothing is set in stone yet so that might be someting to try. I still have three #5 turnouts that I haven't used. I don't plan to either though. I need some space to put in my main street and I am running out of room. So anything that would save some space I am all for.

 

[C&O Fan]

Here's some quick blurry photos i took to show you what i was talking about

10 car train about to enter the tunnel

Train disapears into the tunnel and can't be seen from either side

Train reapears 5 min later on the other side of the mountain in the town of Mt Hope

This little "Time Tunnel Trick" adds lots of realism to your operating sessions

 

[OzarkBelt]

Another tunnel trick is to build a loop inside the mountain so it takes longer for the train to go through it