Hello all,
I'm planning to build a free-standing 2x8 switching layout using the following plan:
https://huntervalleylines.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/bullis_yard_8x1_5_feet-medium.jpg?w=1400&h=
I plan to have the two halves separate at the 4 foot mark, and already have benchwork planned out and under construction. It will be set in the 50s so I could use both steam and diesel. I do have several questions in regards to the track and industries on this layout.
a. What turnouts should be used? It looks like they are all 1 type, but I can't figure out what they are (will use flextrack for all the other track)
b. I have two industries currently set. One will usethe Walthers Machine Shop on the lower left track and, because the large amounts of 2-bay covered hoppers I have, Medusa Cement (though I don't know where where the cement plan would go best - suggestions?). However, the other 3 industries are currently not set - suggestions?
c. I was also thinking of adding a platform where Industry C's parking is for maybe an RDC or local, and adding a water pipe/sanding pipe to the track next to Industry D's loading track (for quick sanding/watering of locos before departing the yard). Are these good ideas?
Thank you in advance for your responses!
Welcome to the forums. Your posts will be monitored for a short while so it may take some time before they appear.
I would suggest Atlas #4 turnouts. Short steam locos and 4 axle diesels should fit both your era and the #4's. In the back of Atlas track planning books there is an illustration of the space a #4 ladder will take up. A 3 track ladder quickly eats up three feet.
I might suggest that you have one of your "halves" longer than the other to keep your turnouts off the seam between the two.
Have fun,
Richard
I have a couple of Bachmann 2-8-0's and a friend has operated a BLI 2-8-0 on my layout without any apparent problems on Peco small radius turnouts... hope that helps!
Cheers from Australia
Trevor
AmnesiacGuyWould it be better to use regular Atlas #4 or Custom Line #4s?
Atlas only offers Customline "#4s" in HO, I believe – and these are actually #4½ frogs, so they work well for switching layouts with relatively short freight equipment.
Some people mistakenly call Atlas Snap-Switches "#4", but the frogs are actually significantly sharper than a true #4.
Good luck with your layout.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
For industries, I've been given an idea, courtesy of dknelson on the prototype forum - a small plastics factory, receiving petroleum in tank cars on the Industry B track and shipping out pellets on the Industry A track. This would firmly cement my layout post about 1955.
Would this be a good fit?
cuyama Was at a show and a dealer had some used switches for sale. I was looking for #4's, so picked some out, others were Snap switches. I made some mention of the difference and the dealer said no wonder he had had trouble getting some of his sidings to line up. At a quick glance you can miss the differences. Goos luck, Richard AmnesiacGuy Would it be better to use regular Atlas #4 or Custom Line #4s? Atlas only offers Customline "#4s" in HO, I believe – and these are actually #4½ frogs, so they work well for switching layouts with relatively short freight equipment. Some people mistakenly call Atlas Snap-Switches "#4", but the frogs are actually significantly sharper than a true #4. Good luck with your layout. Byron
Was at a show and a dealer had some used switches for sale. I was looking for #4's, so picked some out, others were Snap switches. I made some mention of the difference and the dealer said no wonder he had had trouble getting some of his sidings to line up. At a quick glance you can miss the differences.
Goos luck,
AmnesiacGuy Would it be better to use regular Atlas #4 or Custom Line #4s?
cuyamaSome people mistakenly call Atlas Snap-Switches "#4", but the frogs are actually significantly sharper than a true #4.
Well, that was the first time I ever to do a quote. Looks like i failed miserably. Oh well, the idea is there somehow.