I've been debating with myself and others for week now about what I should do with my current hollow-core door layout. The plan I used from MR was obviously geared toward showcase running and not toward real operations. I added two extra sidings to the orginial plan at construction, and I made sure that the sidings on the front were arranged so the main did not take the diverging route. I've done some limited operations with the layout but have found it to be less than easy. Major problems include blocking both mains between two towns for run-arounds, and difficult access to the inside track from staging. Here's the current plan approximated in RTS:
Staging comes in from the lower right siding. I'm pretty well set on the idea of replacing all this track with Atlas code 55 (I currently use Atlas and Peco code 80).
Now, I never use the crossovers on the top unless doing a run-around move, which is terribly unrealistic (i.e., traveling to the NEXT TOWN to get around the train). So, let's move that crossover to town. Ed K mentioned that I should move the crossovers together to make a true PRR interlocking. OK, good. Now, what if I add a passing siding on the inside track to improve the run-around needs for the local? Cool! It means the depot has to move across the tracks, but... so what? DONE!
So, here's what I've gained with a total of only two additional turnouts:
1. Better access to inside track from staging. To return, only a short backup move is necessary.
2. Better switching opportunities using the passing siding. Can store a short local without blocking either main. Can run-around blocking only one main now.
3. True full-interlocking looks better and reeks of PRR.
4. More flexible staging access... Having the crossovers in the middle means EITHER END could be staging (or both!).
Thanks Ed K and Steve Hanlon for hearing me out on this. I'm pumped. Think I have a plan here that salvages the best parts about my layout while addressing at least some of the shortcomings.
Time to order some track!
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
For what it's worth. I like the new plan better.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
I agree with Spacemouse. Suggestion: rh turnout at left end of new siding-how about changing to a wye?
Dante
Better still:
The main reason for skipping the wye is to try to minimize the main taking the diverging route of a turnout.
Perhaps I am misunderstanding or miscommunicating: I wasn't proposing the wye switch for the main but for the siding turnout leading to the spurs.