For my future layou I am redesigning the March 2019 Rock Island track plan. It will be double track with the upper and lower levels helix from stagaing converted into loops. Staging will extended right expanding capacity. Large upper level yard will be changed into two six track yards. Some yards will be moved or eliminated as necessary. The helix on the upper right of the track plan will be converted into a nolix going between levels. I will be be modeling the BNSF Pikes Peak Sub which runs from Denver where the large double yard will be south to Pueblo over the continental divide where the nolix reaches the upper level.
Caldreamer
Just for reference, the line from Denver to Pueblo doesn't cross the continental divide. It crosses the Palmer divide which separates the Platte River basin from the Arkansas River basin, both of which are on the Eastern slope and eventually drain to the Mississippi River system.
The standard gauge D&RGW crossed the continental divide at Tennessee Pass and the Moffat Tunnel.
Of course, modeler's license can move mountains.
Ray
caldreamer I will be be modeling the BNSF Pikes Peak Sub which runs from Denver where the large double yard will be south to Pueblo over the continental divide where the nolix reaches the upper level. Caldreamer
I will be be modeling the BNSF Pikes Peak Sub which runs from Denver where the large double yard will be south to Pueblo over the continental divide where the nolix reaches the upper level.
I presume you mean south to Pueblo and then west over the continental divide via Tennessee Pass. As Ray pointed out, there is no continental divide between Denver and Pueblo. That route (the Joint Line) runs along the east edge of the Front Range.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
He is correct, but at over 7500 feet, I consider that the "continetal" divde since it so high (Modelers licence). I could use the tracks on on the lower level around the loop and into staging as a continuation to Trinidad and the other to Los Alamas. Good idea, thanks .
As they say, it's your RR. You could have it set in the Marianas Trench since it is freelance!
Riogrande5761's reply to my original post was totally STUPID. I am looking for constructive suggestions and ideas as I design my new layout. What I am doing is moving the Rock Island layout location to Colorado and redesigning it to be double track. The idea of going to Trinidad was a good one and as I stated in an earlier post I will use. Any CONSTRUCTIVE ideas are welcome.
Maybe refresh our memories on the March 2019 Rock Island lay out. I looked through your activity in your profile, and I didn't see it.
Mike.
My You Tube
caldreamer Riogrande5761's reply to my original post was totally STUPID. I am looking for constructive suggestions and ideas as I design my new layout. What I am doing is moving the Rock Island layout location to Colorado and redesigning it to be double track. The idea of going to Trinidad was a good one and as I stated in an earlier post I will use. Any CONSTRUCTIVE ideas are welcome. Caldreamer
You are WELCOME. But a couple of us aren't understanding moving a major feature such as the continental divide to a geographic location where it doesn't exist. It doesn't make sense. The further away from reality you get, the more open ended things are and it's harder to offer constructive idea's. Where fantasy is concerned, anything goes was my "stupid" point, but really not so stupid. Cheers.
The article starts on page 38 with a big two page color spread. The track diagrams are on pages 42 and 43.
OK, I didn't understand it was the lay out in the March issue, I thought it was something you drew up, back in March,
YIKES! That thing is huge, a 30'x40' room? and 2 levels? You like to start big, don't you.
I guess we all had our dream lay outs, at one time or another.
Good luck, I have nothing constructive to add, as it seems like a long way out, and your plans may change 100 times or more, between then and now.
Maybe get one of those computer track planning programs, or whatever, and play around with it.
I'd almost have that kind of space if my house wasn't a raised ranch, with the garage eating up 20 feet of the basement. Though it is nice having a big garage - listed as 2 car but I can get 3 cars and outdoor equipment plus tools and stuff in there. I would be looking at 40-45 feet from one end to the other, but 26 wide, not 30.
Nothing wrong with dreaming big. Or changing the scenery of an existing plan to locate it somewhere else. Do draw it out in a way that allows you to make alterations tot he plan, you can't just wing it with something this big. Just one question - ave you ever build even a moderately large, say room size, layout? There's a huge leap from say a 4x8 to something basement filling.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Mike:
I am in N scale. My former layout (the one I am currently tearing down covered 12.5 X 39 feet. We need to move into a one story home due to my wife having trouble climbing the stairs to the second floor. We have a house on contingency. I have not measured the basement of that house, but it is quite big. I am salvaging as much track, switches and wood as I can for reuse, as I dismantle the layout. My old layout had an operating hump yard. I do not know if I will do that with this layout or leave it as planned with Denver having two six track yards (A yard and B yard, side by side).
I guess you'll handle the new space just fine. We've never seen your 12'x39', so I didn't know just what you had. Sometimes it's hard to tell in here just who has a lay out and who doesn't, unless they've said so.
N scale, with all that space will give you a lot of wide open running, big scenic vistas.
You'll probably adjust any changes you want to make, once you see your new space.
Something to think about, as anxious as you'll be to get up and running again, take the time to do some finish work in your new space, and get the room just right.
Good luck!
I have been in the basement, when we looked at the house. The walls are block, painted white. For now that is fine. The most important thing before I really get started building the layout will be to get florecent lighting and a drop ceiling in. My current layout is sectional. That is up to 8 foot long sections screwed together, so dismanteling and using the salvaged wood will save a lot of money. I have always overbuilt my layouts. The legs are 2X4's screwed in an L shape, with 1X4's for the rest of the wood. I know I'm crazy, but I never thought we would be moving again. If you agree, just send the man with the wrap around jacket and the butterfly net, I'll go quietly.
Regards
Ira