Hi,
So I’m looking forward to creating operating capability for my layout but I’m not sure about some of the track use.
Here’s the layout plus there are 2 spurs and 2 industries on the top left that don’t show.
So if the Black track off the mainline to the yard is the yard lead, is that third yellow track (a siding) the Arrival Departure track? Also from the bottom yard track 1 (black) 2, & 3 I assume are for sorting?
Am I on the right track?
Gary
That sounds about right, Gary, for what you have there.
It's not perfect. On the left (West?) end, the yard lead requires getting onto the main for all but the shortest cuts pulled from your A/D track. Since your stub-end yard is alligned to be worked from that end, you'll be there a lot. Perhaps a short extension of the A/D track to the left will give you enough car lengths to work everything without getting out on the main?
A crossover between the yard lead and the A/D about where the yard tracks start fingering out would also be useful.
The track suggestions are optional. What you have will work with how you designated things.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Here is a big hint. If you build another layout, ask these questions before you lay the first piece of track. Makes it so much simpler.
Assuming that there aren't industries on the two tracks, yes, they could be yard tracks.
As previously mentioned you really don't have a smooth way to get to or from the siding. One way would be to install a crossover between the lead and the siding. A left hand crossover would probably be best and would mean the siding would be used as your switching lead, which is perfectly OK. If there is a train in there for or from the yard, you aren't going to be using it for meetting or passing trains anyway. You could also add a switch on the right end of the siding on to the black lead for more flexibility.
That's two votes for a crossover
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Yea... Woulda, shoulda, coulda... Unfortunately I designed this layout about 35 years ago and I don't have an option to tear it down and build a new one. in fact when I was planning this layout the internet was all Modem & AOL and you payed for minutes. Yea I’m old.
I did buy Jon Armstrong’s track planning and John Allen’s Gorre & Daphetid books but the latter unfortunately set me on a path to scenery and I really didn't’ know much at all about operations.
I’ve been paying the price for about the last 5 years and at this point poor trackwork has resulted in the replacement of about 90% of the track and switches. When this layout was DC all my Atlas RS units ran fine as did a Rivarossi 4-6-6-4. When I converted to DCC I purchased some BLI Steam locos and had derails, the SD7 (6 wheels) didn’t make it arround most turns. All running good now.
The crossover seems a reasonable improvement. As soon as I install the new PSX Breakers
mlehmanA crossover between the yard lead and the A/D about where the yard tracks start fingering out would also be useful.
at least for the sake of a better understanding, a better design would be if the turnout where what you call the yard lead, joins the mainline were removed and made part of the crossover mlehman describes.
With the cross over, a switcher could pull the entire train from the yellow arrival track onto the yard lead and sort cars into the yard tracks without using the main (yellow track).
the diagram shows that the yard lead is stub ended. You have an opportunity to make it as long as a train for the cost of one additional turnout
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading