For maximum realism, and granted that you are running "big steam" I would say easements are mandatory. Simply put, an easement is a section of curve larger than the curve itself for the purpose of "easing" the train into the curve. Think of an exit ramp on an interstate, it spirals in to the smallest radius of the curve, then spirals back out to a straight road. For model railroading purposes this easement radius is not critical, I would think the CAD default value would be good enough.
For the rest of your track plan, I'm not sure what is going on with it. Are you just bulding a round and round for displaying your train collection in a realistic environment, or do you intend to have a slice of operational realism? What is your intent?
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I would recommend replacing as many of those #6 turnouts with #8's. Especially in your cross overs. I've got a couple #6 cross overs and my Mikado and Dash 8 don't look right going over them.
I want round and round AND operational of course! With that in mind, the more operations I've been doing the more I like it at the local club. So that's where I'm heading, but still want to be able to let my daughter have fun too - not to mention just doing a bit of watching while they cruse. Somewhere I also read that having the capability to have at least one loop is that when your more or less by yourself you can let a "through" train run while you switch or run another train all while keeping out of it's way.
I had a feeling #8's were going to be needed - at least on the mains. And I'm getting a big lesson how much space Big Steam takes!
Ok, back to the drawing board... after I get to that "honey do" list that I "lost" over the weekend
What I would try to do for turnouts is use #8's for the mainline, #6's for branch line or other tracks where the large loco's won't be running, and try #4's for the yard, but only if you are going to be using small loco's and four axle diesels for yard switching. Otherwise, stay with #6's for the yard. If you are going to have a roundhouse and turntable, the access tracks to it for the large loco's may need to be #8's also, but you may want to try #6's there first.
One thing that is missing from your plan is the bench work outline. That will help a lot when asking for track plan help. Isle ways for walking are critical, just like the tracks are. You can't have one without the other.
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.
Have you thought about a multideck design? Large curves and big numbered turnouts eat up a lot of room, but a multideck design might give you a bit more running room. Just a thought......
I do not understand the space you are dealing with nor the operational goal of the layout.
1. What is the purpose for the peninsula in the upper right? Is there some reason the layout cannot extend into that corner?
2. This shows stairs down on both sides in the bottom center. What is the deal there?
3. Are the three tracks just above one of the "stairs down" labels supposed to be a passenger terminal?
4. How many trains did you wish to run at one time? This looks like maybe 2 (one long and one short).
TZ, if you look in this thread http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/136435.aspx?PageIndex=1 you will see the limitations of his room and what some of those seemingly extraneous measurements on that plan are.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks for all the comments - I'm going through a huge learning curve with this whole design thing It can be very frustrating working with this cad program, but also rewarding as I'm getting better each time I try something. I just found the buildings selection in the program two days ago, didn't even know it was there! So I added a few to see how that all works. And to get a better perspective on adding operational elements.
As advised above, I've added some bench work, swapped in #8 turnouts on the main and kept #6's every where else. As this progresses I'll keep in mind to make it less "square". Was using the snap to grid option so I could better line up the track. But you where spot on about the "squareness". The South Yard area needs a good deal of work, and I'm sure many, many things will be modified.
So here is the latest version for your amusement Oh, each square is 12"
Did some more messing and thinking that the peninsula is taking up to much room.
Here is a double main line around the walls with a helix in the northwest corner.
Again, on the main, using 32 min curves, #8 t.o. and X-overs. 12" squares.