Here is that alternative Central Midland layout concept and its log mill scene,..
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
To all.
I wanted to again thank you so much for not just the time youve given freely, but also the care and thoughts. I'm still reading through all the suggestions and I will see if I can make this work, based on all the suggestions. Again THANK YOU!
FlyBoy I'm new to the hobby. I guess I should have looked at logging before the layout was chossen. Having said that I'm still hoping to have a small area for a saw mill or a small working camp. I wonder if the bottom right hand side along with maybe the top right side as well. Combined that might work? The bottom portion where the switching normally takes place can be a small town?
I'm new to the hobby. I guess I should have looked at logging before the layout was chossen. Having said that I'm still hoping to have a small area for a saw mill or a small working camp. I wonder if the bottom right hand side along with maybe the top right side as well. Combined that might work? The bottom portion where the switching normally takes place can be a small town?
Oops, my previous reply forgot you already built most of the layout. In that case, I'd eliminate the north leg of the wye and have the yard accessed by the south leg. I'd leave the east side straight track to connect the former wye to the upper "camp" area, and place it in a tunnel to give some scenic separation between the yard entrance and camp. The area to the right of the yard the mill site, if possible.
Operationally, it would be the same as I described. Sort of a point to point. The connector track in the tunnel would just serve for loop running when you wanted to do that, which may be most of the time. Must if you want to operate it like a "real railroad" would, the straight track would essentially dissappear from operations, if that makes sense.
- Douglas
Mountain Zone and Logging TrainsThis was one of my thoughts on adding some logging trains onto my Central Midland layout
This scene holds a lot of promise as well, depending upon the extent to which one wishes to fulfill it. First off, forget the mountain posters shown in the photos. They are incorrect mountains…I am not suggesting the ‘alps’ here, but rather ‘logging’ type mountains you see in the foreground of these posters. In its simpler form, the two 90 degree backdrop walls could both be posters of mountains, and the loop of tracks would be covered with a large foam mountain scene that would lift out for access to the trains. This foam mountain could be hollow inside to allow for access to the tracks from underneath without having to lift it out of place. Quite a variety of track entrance/exit portals could be experimented with while various portions of trackage is exposed, or covered, with the trains running under, or beside, a cliff in the mountain. There might even be several ‘interchangeable’ mountain dioramas; 1) Appalachian, 2) old time Western scene, 3) logging scene, 4) your imagination. In my imagination I would try to create a continuous–loop track for short logging trains that would meander through and around this foam mountain diorama. The ‘centerpiece’ would be the track crossing a steep wood trestle structure bridging over a waterfall (vertical falling stream) sculptered into the front face of this mountain. (I just had to get one more bridge on the layout, and it needed to be a mountaineers trestle type). This waterfall would feed my river/creek that runs through the layout. (forget that arrow in the photo, and forget that its the alps for mountains)
In my imagination I would try to create a continuous–loop track for short logging trains that would meander through and around this foam mountain diorama. The ‘centerpiece’ would be the track crossing a steep wood trestle structure bridging over a waterfall (vertical falling stream) sculptered into the front face of this mountain. (I just had to get one more bridge on the layout, and it needed to be a mountaineers trestle type). This waterfall would feed my river/creek that runs through the layout.
(forget that arrow in the photo, and forget that its the alps for mountains)
I built a Central Midland layout and documented some of that over here...http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/31007?page=3
On this later page I made a reference to a very different interpetation of that plan,...and one that did have a logging scene
WOW, have a look at this 'interpetation'....build and photos https://www.facebook.com/SMARTTinc/photos/a.10150323741022034.340283.55956722033/10151247784402034/?type=3&theater their website: http://www.smarttinc.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SMARTTinc/photos/a.10150323741022034.340283.55956722033/10151247784402034/?type=3&theater
their website: http://www.smarttinc.com/
I have an image on my computer but can't put it on this forum site easily. Maybe look thru their images and you will find it
To TRY to turn that plan into a logging theme, I would:
Eliminate all double mainlines. Leave the long double ended siding in the upper left.
Lose the north leg and the east straight part of the wye. Making the yard accessible only from the south loop of the wye (which is no longer a wye).
Change the grade heading into the yard so it tucks under the crossing track with the bdridge, not over it as it does now.
In the end, the highest point of the layout would be along the upper wall. The camp. The yard will now be the lowest level, the mill. The train winds its way from top to bottom, drops its loaded cars, builds a train of empties and heads back to the top.
But, given the huge change in verticality, I don't see how you could make the layout a continuous running loop. You'd have to run the trains simply back and forth from bottom to top, then top to bottom. If point to point running is okay for you, then there is no need to find a continuous running connector somewhere.
And, you'd have to have a huge curved trestle in the middle of the yard. An interesting scenic element for sure.
Those are the challenges, as I see it.
There may be simpler alterations to the plan that you or others may see.
Edit: Oh, I see Cuyama already offered some nice suggestions.
Edit #2: See my reply below since I forgot you already built the plan.
Flyboy, that plan is great and it is also loaded with track with not much available space for scenery. If I were you, I would go check out cuyama's web site and consider the design he offered in one of his posts.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
Unfortunately, the Atlas layout designs attempt to cram the most track into a space, often with a lot of looping. (This is not surprising, since Atlas is a track supplier).
This layout was designed to make up trains in the yard and then keep one or more orbiting around the layout. So it is a lot more complex than a typical logging layout might be. But we are where we are, so what can be done to graft on a bit of logging?
Do you have aisles all around the layout or is it against one or more walls? That will make a difference as to what’s possible as you will need access to all of the track and most folks find that they can’t reach more than 30” across a scenicked layout without damaging whatever is at the front of the layout.
That said, here’s what I would probably try in your situation. I’d change the lower right-hand area (turnouts 23, 24, etc.) into the saw mill. The exact track arrangement would depend on the model that you chose. Something like JV Models Lucas Sawmill is based on a “cold deck” rather than a log pond. This means the logs are dumped on large logs embedded on the ground rather than into water, so it can be a little more compact and still be realistic. You’d want a track for inbound logs and one or two tracks for outbound lumber. This area could also have bunkhouses, cookhouse, etc. for the workers.
Then the other spurs (Turnouts #7 and 9) could be log-loading spurs … and you could add more in the upper-right-hand corner, unless you need that for an access hatch.
You could use the tracks reached by turnout(s) #19 as a place to set out supplies, perhaps adding some narrow buildings to a shelf along the aisle as the loggers’ warehouse. (But remember that you still need access.)
Then you could use the rest of the yard tracks as an imagined interchange with another railroad, or build trains there yourself to make laps with boxcars and flatcars -- loads and empties to- and from the mill.
All of the above are just suggestions to get a little flavor of logging on a layout infrastructure that really doesn’t support it. Others might have additional alternative ideas.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
BTW thank you so much much boys for the much appreciated help. I love being able to talk to more experianced train lovers.
IMO, the Central Midland may not be the best template for a logging theme. My idea of a logging themed layout is to have vertical scenery, lots of space for it, and sort of an origination point and destination point on different levels. From a camp to a mill, or from a mill to a port or an interchange; if that makes sense
There is a Kalmbach book on logging railroads that is worth buying if you want to learn about it. There is also lots on the Web. Looking at the layout, I think the plan is quite "busy" for a logging operation, which should have a lot of devoted space for trees and mountains. Perhaps you can concentrate on the lumber industry side, and find a space for a planning mill. You could have the logging trains arrive from the mainline and serve the mill, and have the mill serve a lumber dealer further away at another end of your layout.
Simon
Correct. I want to use the current layout for logging. The only part not completed would be waht I think is refered to as the yard. Where all the parallelel tracks are. Also no track right now on the lower right. Rest is done.
I'll have a look at your website for sure.
I got the impression from his posting that he was not looking at adding logging to his Atlas plan, but rather a new logging layout??
Welcome to the hobby and to the forum. That layout was not originally designed with a logging theme, so it may be a bit tricky to add it on.
I’m not completely clear on what parts are finished and which are not. You may find some ideas in this HO logging layout from my website. You’ll probably want some sort of log dump (either a pond or a cold deck) and at least one logging area, which often (but not always) incorporates a runaround so the loco can get onto the other end.
Hello to all.
New here. New to the train hobby as well.
I am almost finished building my Central Midland layout with the switch locos area as well as the lower right area not completed in terms of tracl laying.
I'm looking for help on designing a loggong layout.
Looking for ideas on an old time logging layout. I only run locomotives such as 0-6-0, 70 Ton Shay, and diesle from the 1960's max.
I'm frustrated as I cant figure out a good logging layout.
Can anyone help?
Richard