hi
Having trouble with the image...
Looks like you've avoided major problems. It looks like it will operate fine.
As a quick observation, If you're going to stage trains by hand at the left side yard, you might want to think about flipping the yard with the main, putting the yard towards the edge of the shelf. That way you won't have to reach across a possible moving train to fiddle the cars.
- Douglas
I agree the railroad looks to be well thought out and very practical.
I like the 30"+ aisles. A lot of folks design something narrower; but wider tends to be better.
I notice that you want an interchange, and have included a rather short one in the lower right corner. This prompted me to think a bit more about your staging yard. Could the staging yard serve as your interchange, holding interchange cars, waiting to be moved onto the scene in transfer cuts? I could envision some sort of view block (building flats, maybe?) between the staging yard and the active mainline, with reach-in access from above. This would probably mean moving the mainline switch between the 7' and 8' marks to a location a bit closer to the 5' 9" to 6' 9" marks. Of course only one or two tracks would be needed to serve this function, and the remaining tracks would still be available for storage.
This would allow the current interchange track to be used for an additional industry. I would suggest a brickyard. Not many people model those. But that's up to you.
Of course it's your choice, and I think the layout would work quite well as originally drawn.
Tom
(edited & modified 1:55 pm 1/10/17)
Thanks for the feedback. I'll see if I can get the suggestions worked in.
The viewblock would serve an additional function: Doughless was right to suggest that you could foul the mainline when you reach into staging. If you have to reach over the viewblock, you'll have to raise your arm over it, so you're less likely to get in the way of the mainline.
Zeis,
Growing up near Freeport, Illinois with my father a conductor on the IC, I have always thought that the IC orange and chocolate brown passenger trains were the best looking anywhere. I thus like your selection of theme.
I concur with the earlier suggestion to "flip" the staging yard or fiddle yard tracks to avoid interfering with the main line. This would also eliminate the "S" curve effect at turnouts that could lead to tracking problems. Additionally, it looks to me as if there is room there to make one or more of those staging tracks as "through" tracks, connected to the main. If you do that, then some of the trains you make up in the staging area would be set to pull out onto the main in either direction, not having to back out onto the main if they were going "northbound".
Another observation concerns the small town with the single long stub-ended siding that is on the right side of the peninsula as one looks at the plan. A depot is shown on the siding, but that would require the passenger train to back onto or out of that siding when unloading passengers. The depot should be located adjacent to the main line. I am not sure what you visualize for that siding but a shorter siding to a grain elevator would help set the midwest image.
Good luck. Bill
Bill makes a good point about possible through tracks on the left yard
If I had that space, I'd add staging below and either nolix to it or helix to it. Room for a second level and a good deal more mainline running.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I agree that stub end depot is less than optimal, but the OP says he wants to base it on an actual prototype in Springfield, IL. That's his choice. I can't speak for him as to his degree of commitment to that idea.
riogrande5761 If I had that space, I'd add staging below and either nolix to it or helix to it. Room for a second level and a good deal more mainline running.
Yes, that's a good point. The staging track could be extended and drop below the switching lead, then curve into a lower level staging yard and turnback loop under the main peninsula. That would be handy for turning passenger trains. To do this, the track level near the packing plant should probably be about 1" or so lower than that under the switch lead. Benchwork for the central peninsula would have to allow for the lower level staging. I don't know whether the OP wants to add these complications to an already elegant plan.
COuple suggestions to think about.
Try to reverse the swing of that entry door. It will make getting in and out of the room so much easier and will not swing into the layout benchwork. Can be done without buying a new door.
consider flipping the main yard top to bottom. Place the turntable at the end of the peninsula and the yard lead will wrap around the end of the peninsula also. This will reduce the number of tracks on the upper liftout.
Have you tried to place the main yard along the left hand wall. I usually try to place it along the longest wall to avoid curves near the switches.
You may want to reduce the number of tracks in the main yard and add staging elsewhere. use the yard to reassemble and break up trains instead of a parking lot.
Looks like a nice space. Good luck with your build.
Steve
ChoopsHave you tried to place the main yard along the left hand wall. I usually try to place it along the longest wall to avoid curves near the switches.
I would go with both of these suggestions and put the staging yard under the active yard as Rio has done on his own layout.
Another minor tidbit, you will usually see a coal loader positioned in the center of the tracks that serve it. It is common practice to shove empties past the loader to the end of the track, use gravity to move them under the tipple for loading, then park the loads on the track between the loader and mainline.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
carl425 I would go with both of these suggestions and put the staging yard under the active yard as Rio has done on his own layout. Another minor tidbit, you will usually see a coal loader positioned in the center of the tracks that serve it. It is common practice to shove empties past the loader to the end of the track, use gravity to move them under the tipple for loading, then park the loads on the track between the loader and mainline.
Good idea too on the coal idea.
I suppose whether or not the OP wants to go with a second level - it may depend on experience and confidence. I know some of the pro's sometimes suggest beginners not get too elaborate for example and get your feet wet on a more basic design before tackling something more complex.
That said, I sure would think one would like to take FULL advantage of a space like that and adding a second level, at minimum for staging, and at maximum additional mainline running would really expand the operational abilites of that track design! Definitely food for thought.
BTW, I agree, it's good to put a yard along a long wall section.
Lots more input, I like it!
Helix - Not sure I'm up for building this. Just my own evaluation of my skills. How are those pre-made helix other than pricey?
Second level - Really thought hard about this. What kept me from going with this was how long the run would have to be to get to a second level. I'd probably be looking at adding another liftout under one of the ones in the current plan. Not a huge deal, I guess. This would also be the case for having staging on a lower level. I also liked the idea of having staging on top with nothing above it to get in the way. Some people have no issues with reaching under for staging but some do. I went with the conservative approach and decided to keep it on the same level.
Yard - I tried putting the yard on the long left wall, but can't remember exactly why I didn't keep it there. One issue is I'm not sure the roundhouse and two stalls will fit on 24". I will go back through some of my saved Xtrkcad attempts and see if I can get it on that wall. If not, I'll try to flip it where it is, I like the idea of only having one track on a liftout.
Once again, thanks for the suggestions!
My carpentry skills are only basic and I would definitely try a helix if it made sense, but in my small 10x18' basement room, it made the most sense to use a no-lix.
So if you don't think a helix if for you, either from abilty to build it or cost for a prefab, a nolix is a good option and you have plenty of room to impliment a long ramp - which could be augmented by a 180 degree turn at some point in the ramp (think of it as a piece of a helix) to help you get some separation without too long a ramp.
My ramp is 2.9% and I've had no issues running 22 car trains with 2 six axle locos so if you go with a more modest 2.5% grade or less you could probably make that work and get in a nice staging yard and perhaps some additiona mainline running or industries to switch! Either way a major plus.
So after some thought, I've come up with a 2 level plan using a helix. I figure if I can finish the basement room the layout is going in, I can try and tackle a helix.
I still want to leave the stub end passenger station and the door will remain where it is. My thoughts with the upper staging is just a place to start/park trains and nothing more. It's my 'rest of the world'.
Suggestions?
lower level
upper level
Wow! I wasn't expecting a complete re-draw.
First, it should be remembered that the original plan was very good. A few critiques should not be interpreted as a need to throw the whole thing out and start over. The original yard would be quite functional, although it is true that it is longer in the new version which uses the longer wall. I envisioned improving the original plan by adding a lower level return loop with staging tracks. That would not require a helix. You said your primary focus was IC with some CB&Q. In my mind's eye, I saw the lower level loop connection as your CB&Q interchange.
The coal delivery track location is a side issue. Those things varied. It really depends on your prototype.
The new plan certainly is more ambitious than I expected. The lower level could be built first, with provisions for adding the upper level later. The final design of the upper level doesn't have to be determined at this stage, as long as you have a pretty good idea of the footprint of the upper level and the clearances you'll need.
Tom, thanks for your time and input. What did you mean about the coal delivery track?
I'm not looking to put staging underneath. It just doesn't seem like something I want. I'd prefer to have it in the open.
Thanks again!
Ignore my comment about the coal track. It was based on a misinterpretation of Carl425's comment. Your revised loader position is closer to typical prototype practice. My apologies to Carl.
The original plan and the revised one both have lots of space for scenery and additional small industries, should you wish to add them. Lots of space means you will be able to represent the wide open look of Illinois, which I assume you are after.
Doughless Looks like you've avoided major problems. It looks like it will operate fine. As a quick observation, If you're going to stage trains by hand at the left side yard, you might want to think about flipping the yard with the main, putting the yard towards the edge of the shelf. That way you won't have to reach across a possible moving train to fiddle the cars.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!