Suggestions are welcome, either modifications to this plan, or an alternate in either 2x8 or L shaped 4x10 as that plan is. Or 2x10, that would fit as well. Yes, that brings the modified version of Jonathon Jones's layout back into consideration.
Primary requirements are at least one track that runs the full length of the space to facilitate test running locos back and forth and trackage for switching operation without it being a game like a Timesaver.
Nice to have would be vertical seperation, but no more than 2-2.5% grade, which means pretty much forget it in the limited space I have. I would like a yard + sidings rather than all industry.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
On Andrew's original plan, the 3 track yard was actually a large industry, not a yard. He had designated the two tracks in the upper right as A/D tracks (along the lines of this is an industrial park of sorts at the end of a branch). In my eywe, the track across the top to the left, and the upper line through the runaround is the main, ending at the right-hand track edge of the table at the lower right (for now). Andres had another industry for the left hand track at the lower right of the layout, to me that is better used as a switch lead. The upper right tracks, instead of being A/D tracks, are actually longer than the two sidings on a previous plan I was working on, and serve an off-layout cement plans. There's room for about 10 cars on those two tracks - not huge but enough to get the idea. I think if I went any bigger there I might as well just make the entire layout the cement plant and forego any other track. The only other industry would be on the short track on the middle right. Andrew's plan has a heavy industry of sorts there, with the track entering the building. The sort of place that doesn't ship something out daily but that one item is large - think heavy equipment or something. I don't know if that's what I'll do with it, just an idea.
Short trains are definitely the order of the day. I could probably make the runaround and sidings longer if I used #4 or maybe Peco shorts, but I really don't want to make the curves that tight, nor am I too inclined to pay the premium for Peco. This may or may not get included in a future large layout - inclination is towards not.
Randy,
Not sure why you posted this, but here is my feedback.
It would have been useful if you described the purpose of each track, what industries are served and their fooprints indicated, why the tracks have this particular arrangement, and how you saw a typical operational session would work with this. Without this, the plan is a bunch of track. Offhand, it doesn't seem like a very efficient (that is, prototypical-like) plan. For instance, a switchback move is needed to take cars from the apparent three-track yard/interchange and place them on the run-around track. Spurs seem a bit short for the available space, suggesting the industries don't produce much traffic.
Mark
On this and some of the other plans on that site, sometimes the lengths of the leads, runarounds, and industry tracks seem a little unbalanced to me. It would be easy to make the runaround a bit longer in this case, which I think would make operations more realistic by making them a little less tedious. But that's my preference.
Good luck with it.
ByronModel RR Blog
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
(for now)
It's based on this plan by Andrew Martin http://andrews-trains.fotopic.net/p10095069.html but mirrored, and I made all the turnouts Fast Tracks #4.5 (and one Atlas Code 83 Y). All i need yet for benchwork is another 2x4 module to attach at right angles to the two I already have and UI'll be set for benchwork. I actually have more space I could use for somethign a bit larger, but in no case do I have room for a turnaround curve even if I went down to 18" radius. So it's a switching layout or nothing (not a lot of pain, I enjoy switchign cars around). And by not using absolutely every last scrap of space, it will be a lot easier to still also use the room for the intended purpose - dining room.
If I get ambitious I''ll do a full rendering like I did for my old 8x12 (check my web site - I drew the wood, the foam, and the track on top. Compare to the old construction photos - it actually came out looking like what I built!). For now, it's just a plain track drawing, no scenery or potential structures.