Hello all, thanks for stopping by.i have been dreaming of a 80's - 90's winter donner pass layout for a while now. I have really been feeling the espee bug as of late though. Putting in a little bit of time i came up with a 4x10 design that captures some of my favorite parts of the pass.
3" = per square
The layout is mainly based on NScaleAddicts marinas pass layout. it has no switching or even a surnout to keep cost down. All i want is to have long trains snaking through the mountain scenery.
the scenes featured are the eastern most tunnel as it turns above cold creek canyon.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.3142408,-120.2451324,626m/data=!3m1!1e3
shed 42 and its eastern approch.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.3114801,-120.2679801,377m/data=!3m1!1e3
and this interesting bit of trackage near yuba.
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.3271159,-120.5881993,615m/data=!3m1!1e3
the layout is on a minimum radi of 18".
I was wondering what your thoughts on plan at this point are. This is very rough and needs to be cleaned up alot, i am not very happy with the double tunnel bump aera on the left. that needs a lot of work, sugestions are encouraged as i am not quite sure what to do there.
Lost in the snow
If all you are going to do is run one train (N scale) through a continuous loop then I don't see how that will not work. However, if you could somehow vary the curve on one of the long sides it may be a little more visually interesting.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
I thinks it's cool, as long as you can walk all around, with a throttle in your hand, and watch trains. If part of it is against a wall, not sure.
Maybe if one end is against a wall, it's good.
Mike.
My You Tube
There is no way you can run more than one train on that track plan. And it could be wired for DC, not DCC. I just think the plan is too symetrical.
bearman There is no way you can run more than one train on that track plan. And it could be wired for DC, not DCC. I just think the plan is too symetrical.
only one train? It was designed to a double mainline going around in a loop. i was thinking two trains going in loops in opposite directions.
also, what do you mean by too symetrical? i am just asking so I dont fall into any design traps.
Based on the picture of the track plan I could not distinguish the double main line. by too symmetrical it looks just like a dog bone and that is all...but if that is what you like that is th only important thing. It is only a personal preference.
Actually, the plan allows for two trains running around in two independent circles. If that is what the OP wants, then let him just go for it.
In this case i am more interested in going overboard on fancy mountain scenery than spaghettibowl trackwork.
I saw the N Scale Addicts layout, that he built years ago. It was a very good BNSF Marias Pass train set. Nicely detailed scenery, bridges, and etc.
I could see it in a winter landscape with SP locomotives. It shouldn't be to hard to duplicate into your image.
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Bering, if you can do the fancy mountain scenery then go for it. MR mag featured a Canadian RR recently, which was really a simple loop and the scenery was fantastic....Frazier Cayon if I am correct.
You could scenic 1 side winter and the other summer, with transition seasons on each end. Just a thought!
OK, well, it's my bed time. I'll go away now.
I'm guessing this is N scale, right?
It's quite a simple plan, but it showcases one of the most formidable passes on the SP line, which seems to be the object. Please post pictures as you get going!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
One more thing Bering, when you mentioned Donnor Pass I went a little nuts as I recall the area from when I lived in the Bay Area years ago. My, God, the Sierra Nevada around Tahoe is so beautiful. Would love to see pictures as you proceed. And you should be able to run two main lines on DC.
The plan seems workable to me. This would be done in N scale, correct?
Are you planning to power the layout in DC or DCC?
Rich
Alton Junction
I cannot see any reason to power that track plan on DCC, unless you want sound, and bells and whistles, and lights etc.
bearman I cannot see any reason to power that track plan on DCC, unless you want sound, and bells and whistles, and lights etc.
This is true, but if there is no crossover between the two mains then each track can be wired to a separate DC transformer, put the trains on the tracks, and let 'er rip. In fact, and I am not sure that you would need more than one set of feeders connected to each transformer. Even I could wire that layout blindfolded.
Did he say N scale? He's copying (sort of) an N scale plan, but when I hear 4x something and 18" radius curves I think HO. If it's N scale, should be fine. HO, 18" radius is going to be too limiting with 80-90's era equipment.
By "too symmetrical" I think what that person meant is that both sides are pretty much identical curves. Ends, not too much you cna do about that, but to both sides need to have the exact same gentle S curve? Perhaps make one different, or have the whole line run further inboard on the table on one side compared to the other.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
That's exactly what I meant Randy about symmetry. And I assume it is N scale. Maybe just run one side straight across.
Beringit has no switching or even a turnout to keep cost down. All i want is to have long trains snaking through the mountain scenery.
If that's what YOU want, it looks like you have plenty of areas for scenicking. We don't see many proposed layout plans with no turnouts.
However for less than the price of a DC engine, you can buy a couple of turnouts and have a single crossover or a siding or a spur to a mine. A mine, even if you don't actively switch it, presents all kinds of visual and creative opportunities.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
This track plan is N Scale. It had a few publications in N Scale Railroading magazine.
I model HO, but just for giggles and laughs I would love to see the original track plan.
bearmanThis is true, but if there is no crossover between the two mains then each track can be wired to a separate DC transformer, put the trains on the tracks, and let 'er rip. In fact, and I am not sure that you would need more than one set of feeders connected to each transformer. Even I could wire that layout blindfolded.
That's the way I run my Christmas layout, only I use 3 sets of feeders to each loop, because it's all Bachmann EZ Track sections.
Not that it has anything to do with this layout, except a way to power it.
BigDaddy Bering it has no switching or even a turnout to keep cost down. All i want is to have long trains snaking through the mountain scenery. If that's what YOU want, it looks like you have plenty of areas for scenicking. We don't see many proposed layout plans with no turnouts. However for less than the price of a DC engine, you can buy a couple of turnouts and have a single crossover or a siding or a spur to a mine. A mine, even if you don't actively switch it, presents all kinds of visual and creative opportunities.
Bering it has no switching or even a turnout to keep cost down. All i want is to have long trains snaking through the mountain scenery.
You edited his quote to correct the typo !
That's no fun.
Surnout sounded so much better.
i would suggest a crossover and a switch lead that can lead to a future staging yard. Or at least place a piece of track that can be replaced by a switch.
You will eventually want to run a different train and taking trains on and off the track manually is a pain and parts get broken.
I like the idea of just scenery and have seen many good examples of these designs.
The Original Poster is referencing a layout based on Marias Pass (Great Northern, now BNSF). A web search for N Scale Addict + Marias Pass will turn up many references and photos. Including this one.
Note how the Marias Pass layout curves the edges of the benchwork, which adds to the visual appeal.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
cuyama The Original Poster is referencing a layout based on Marias Pass (Great Northern, now BNSF). A web search for N Scale Addict + Marias Pass will turn up many references and photos. Including this one. Note how the Marias Pass layout curves the edges of the benchwork, which adds to the visual appeal. Byron
I second that WOW! Yea, I love it. Just watching trains run. I know a lot of modelers snicker at the "roundy-round", but I think it's great.
I third the WOW! Making that scenery in the winter time with snow. And then putting up a video, man oh man. One question for Cuyama, will those S curves be a problem? I assume that the trains will be running slow enough so that they may not be.
the s curve question was one of my big questions, that whole aera needs a rework. i was wondering how problematic that would be. I am trying to make some easements and atleast a a bit of straight between the curves. Any ideas for that aera?