fjr1234 wrote: I'm hoping that by moving those turnouts farther away from the overpass, and lowering the main-line at that point (making the overpass the highest point on the main-line) I can keep that grade below 5%, and still keep the overpass functional.
I'm hoping that by moving those turnouts farther away from the overpass, and lowering the main-line at that point (making the overpass the highest point on the main-line) I can keep that grade below 5%, and still keep the overpass functional.
This will help. With 5% grades most small locos should be able to pull at least a couple of cars. Still, be careful with those vertical curves where the grade transitions, and don't change the grade for at least the length of the switch.
Make sure you have enough room at the ends of the mainline for at least a locomotive and a couple of cars.
Lowering the left end of the mainline by about 1/2 inch or so should be helpful, but you need to decide on a brake to prevent cars from rolling down the main on their own.
Mark
markpierce wrote:...particularly around the switch leading down to Commerce Street, about midway down the grade. You'll probably have a grade of 8 percent or more, and you're likely going to have a problem with it.
...particularly around the switch leading down to Commerce Street, about midway down the grade. You'll probably have a grade of 8 percent or more, and you're likely going to have a problem with it.
gandydancer19 wrote:Have you seen the "Soo Line on a Shelf" layout plan in the June 2008 MR? It would make part of a good layout as well. It is bigger of course, and you didn't say how much room you actually had. At any rate, it could be modified as well.
Have you seen the "Soo Line on a Shelf" layout plan in the June 2008 MR? It would make part of a good layout as well. It is bigger of course, and you didn't say how much room you actually had. At any rate, it could be modified as well.
I did see it, my space is about 11x11; so that soo layout is much too large. But there are some intersting things in that layout.
Otherwise, you are going in the right direction. I too have used a printed and published plan for the basis of a layout. It may be in your book under "Two plans for an L shaped space". The one I chose is NOT the one with the loop in the center. As a matter of fact, this is the second time I have used it. The first was N scale, and now in HO.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Of course, the grade problem can be eliminated by removing the Commerce Street track crossing under the mainline to the malting company so the grade down to Third Street can be reduced.
It is an interesting plan. There is a very steep grade down to Third Street so you'll need to take care with vertical curves, particularly around the switch leading down to Commerce Street, about midway down the grade. You'll probably have a grade of 8 percent or more, and you're likely going to have a problem with it.
fjr1234 wrote: "48 top knotch track plans" (I find that title a little over the top),
"48 top knotch track plans" (I find that title a little over the top),
I'm finally getting around to building my layout, (freelance, modern) and have been looking for a urban centerpeice to act as an operational focus. I came across the "Third Street Industrial District" in "48 top knotch track plans" (I find that title a little over the top), and it looks like it would make a good starting point.
There are a few changes I would make right away; the benchwork is an around the walls and this layout as is in only 1 foot short of my longest wall, so I need to curve the ends around the corners. I'd also try to lengthen the layout, so the grades aren't as bad. Other than that the only substantial change I'm considering is to loose the grain elevator and have that track lead to staging.
Since I'm obviously not interested in copying the design exactly; I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on it's shortcomings that might help me in avoiding problems with the this track plan.
-frank