n yard over 2 modules - layout help

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Thanks for the ideas!

Bill: Moving the crossovers to the end sections would allow longer yard tracks, but then those end units would have to be used on either side of the yard.

Most of yr suggestions work towards having longer yard tracks.  Can't I just insert a 2' or 4' module of nothing but yard tracks in the middle?

As for the sectional vs modular: each section has standard, fixed placement of track (two mains and a branch at 21", 19 1/2" & 9 3/4") and, while not "standard" as in Ntrak 3 main, still allows for sections to be setup in any order.  I was also playing around with different corner sections:

 

which can be used with the current 2x4 end units to create penninsulas and "L"s in the setup configuration. 

All of which, I thought, made it modular.

Am still thinking about adhering to ntrak standards (3 mains) so kids can take them elsewhere, although in the San Francisco bay area, there seem to be only 2 ntrak clubs, with one (Penninsula MRR club) being far away on the other side of the bay (hour-plus drive), and the closer (GG MRR club) seem to have fused their ntraks into a sectional layout.  But I will keep researching!  Otherwise, our MRR club will be practice (albeit with a nice product!) like the Model UN club and focus on experimentation and learning through doing.  Model Model Rail Road club? ;)

[bagal]

Doesn't the term "modular" refer to standardised modules that can be assembled in a variety of ways? This layout is "sectional" rather "modular".

With respect to the yard here is a couple of changes I would look at;

Put the crossovers (using curbed turnouts) from  outside main to inside main on the end sections which will allow longer yard tracks.

Don't connect the yard lead back to the main. You could also use the yard lead as your branch at either end.

Eliminate the through track by the yard office. Taking it out allows longer yard tracks.

Eliminate the siding.

Although you have used the usual terminology for yard tracks in a small yard such as this you are probably better to design so that all tracks can be used for any purpose rather than defining any particular use.

Cheers

 

Bill

 

 

 

[wm3798]

I'd go ahead and get some 1/8" sheet cork, available at Lowe's or Home Depot... I think it's sold for floor underlayment... and build up the yard to match the main for this project.  It's more prototypical to do what you're suggesting, but for a modular layout, it might be easier logistically to just run the cork under the whole shootin' match.

 

Lee

[mcfunkeymonkey]

The mainlines and branch will be corked but the yard is flat on the foam, yes?

I can sand some cork into a taper for the transition from raised main to flat yard (or somewhere I saw people using shims from a hardware store, but I think that was for HO), or is there a better way?

Like using sheet cork for the whole yard a la beerline?

As for staging, I was thinking of building a cassette or plug-in on the left that could bring in trains past the RE:Joyce Brewery to be broken up at the yard, then localed around to the other modules.

[wm3798]

 I like.  However, as much as I don't like N trak standards (Boring & Unrealistic) I would encourage you to build to them, so that the lads have an opportunity to display their work out there in the big wide world, and participate in the larger group activities available through N trak.

You could also check with clubs in your area to see if they might use a modified standard, such as One Trak, again to allow the modules to travel and be displayed independent of the club project.

As for yard design, what you have there is perfectly functional for the layout plan provided.  It would be easily expanded by simply adding another 4' module to add length to all the tracks.

Lee

 

[SpaceMouse]

mcfunkeymonkey

 I am mainly focused on the yard because I'm still trying to wrap my head around how they work.Thanks!
--Mark

Mark,

Although they are similar, yards function in relationship to the demand of the railroad. So although you can design a generic yard, you have to know how your surrounding railroad works for the railroad to work. You need to know the incoming trains and outgoing trains.

It is easier to figure out what the traffic is first. For instance you might have branch line where you had one incoming train from the main. You would need to break that train into an east local and a west local. The incoming locals will have merchandise and empties.   The merch cars go back to the main andthe empties may be used locally or not.

The above yard would then function pretty well on 3 adequate length tracks and one A/D.

But without knowing what your operational needs are, how do you design a yard and try it on?

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Here's the NTrak manual:
http://www.ntrak.org/Documents/Manual.pdf
they have 3 mains more centered
but I researched and there are a lot of clubs out there, most altering the standards for their own purposes (so each club is a bit different).

I was going to leave all this stuff in my classroom (there's about 10'x20' space behind all the desks in the back).  I was going to start with the yard and students could work on their own modules, or we could work together.  I am mainly focused on the yard because I'm still trying to wrap my head around how they work.  I designed the other modules because it was fun, but I'm not in a hurry to lay track on those.

I'll probably build the basic framework of all 6 modules (basic continuous running oval) at the same time to help with consistency, but one goal is to get kids involved and have them go through the process of research, planning, experimenting, etc.  So while the other modules are there in concept, I'd love advice on the yard.

Thanks!
--Mark

[SpaceMouse]

Not very typical of the 2 x 4 modulars I've seen. I know there are guidelines posted somewhere on the net. Perhaps someone will enlighten us.

It is very busy. Certainly I've not seen so much track on an N-scale modular.  If you are moving and a average, not so crowded layout takes 50 hours/sq ft to build, why are you taking on so much. Are you going to be willing to leave it in school over the summer?

Why not stick to a single modular so you can teach the fundamentals and can use to join a modular club?  

 

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Well, right when I was starting to get organized for the benchwork for my Sourdough & Sequim RR 6x9 layout in our apartment, my wife came down with her wegottamoove bug.  And since that can't happen until she gets a job, which is after she gets back from a summer in Japan with the kids, well... no use building a larger layout until I see the new space.

So I've decided to devote my "train-ing" to starting a n-scale modular club at the high school I teach: I got room in the back of the classroom and my buddy teaches crafts / woodshop, another teaches arch. design (they got one of those laser sculpter things that cuts whatever you design on CAD outta plastic), so I can putter there at school and make portable things and maybe get some kids into the hobby until the housing happens.

I chose 2'x4' as the standard modules, with 2" foam & an 18" high removable backdrop on the back of the standard modules (the green lines are short sections of backdrop than extend 6" into the modules for buildings & such).  The layout is a modified n-trak arraignment: instead of 3 mains towards the front, I have a double main at 3" and 4 1/2" from the front, and a branch line at 9 3/4" from the rear.  That allows for radius of 21", 19 1/2" and 9 3/4".  The track stops 2 1/2" east & west from the edge, so the sections can be joined with a 5" Atlas straight.  Track is Atlas code 80, hopefully with peco turnouts.

I've mocked up a 6-modular layout so far (somewhat influenced by the Beer Line construction), but really I'd like to start with the yard.  Been reading a lot (Realistic Operations, etc.) but I'm still figuring out how yards "work".  It seems they need quite a bit of room to work.  Here's my first attempt:

 

A-1 & A-2 are the yard sections, with all yard tracks and the branch above connected with 5" straights when joined together. I designed module "End-1" (on the left) with a yard lead.  I envision most traffic happening counterclockwise, though I guess I could split the mains east/west.

Can you tell from the name of the railroad & industries what subject I teach?

My questions:
-- do I need the turnout of the double main between the runaround on the lower left?  The outter main would have access to the yard only at the turnout at the very top of the end module.  But maybe that's not a problem.  If I got rid of those turnouts, then the whole yard extends 5" (which is another car on all tracks).
-- is there a better way to connect the yard to the branch line / engine terminal?  I was going to use the Atlas turntable but lower it into a pit so the motor wouldn't be in the way (plus pits look cool), so there'd be a little more room around the TT (not sure if that matters).  Worse come to worse, I could put the engine servicing area on another module, but at this point, compact is groovy.
--is there a better way of laying out the yard?  I know a 2'x8' module would be preferable, but these gotta fit in me car, so 2'x4' it is! (I could do one 2x6, but would that be worth it?)

Right now it has 2x4 ends, but we'll probably build some 90 deg "L"s curving out as we get bigger.
Comments on the other modules are appreciated as well, but those will come after the yard, I think.
And if anyone has any experience in n-scale modular construction, I'd love to hear yr advice!
--Mark