Trainz, where are you?
Hopefully, by now, you have built your yard.
Rich
Alton Junction
Trainz, my best advice to you is to lay some track on a temporary basis and test run some trains to see if, operationally, it meets your needs. If not, then reconfigure the track plan and test run some trains again until you get to where you want to be.
Assuming that you have all the space required build in a 3-track yard, an A/D track, a turntable track, 3 car shop tracks and a caboose track, how about this proposed track plan?
The blue line is the mainline. The red lines are the yard tracks. The green line is the turntable lead track. The gold lines are the 3 car shop tracks. The purple line is the caboose track. The A/D track could be that bottom yard track. A road loco would pull onto the A/D track and drop off its consist and then head to the turntable track.
Hello everyone, i need some help in planning out my yard. As you can see from my most recent edit i have edited yet again my plan. I have removed all yard tracks and re routed the main line as suggested by Rich and i do like it much better now that the main is seperated from the yard. Now i need help or suggestions as to how the best way to build the yard would be while still being able to access the turntable and round house. As you can see i have 2 entrance points from the main line into the yard space, one on the left in the curve on the turntable side and one at the far right next to the bridge that crosses over main line. This track has already been laid and wired for DCC. Now i need some ideas on how best to utilize the open space for a yard as well as an A/D and caboose track. I will be using yard switchers to work the yard after road locos drop off the consists. Any and all suggestions and ideas are welcome and appreciated....Thanks everyone!
richhotrainThree, there appears to be adequate space to create one or two more yard classification tracks, perhaps even an arrival/departure track. Any interest in an A/D track?
Rich, as usual, thank you....And yes, i am very interested in a A/D track....Can you recommend a good location for it please? I also have a lot of caboose that i would like to have a track for if possible....Thanks!
OK, that helps understand your yard operations. You will use a switcher for these operations.
As I count the tracks in the most recent version of your track diagram, there are 8 tracks involved. The top 3 tracks will be the car shop tracks. The 4th track is your turntable lead track. The 5th, 6th and 7th tracks are your yard tracks. The 8th track is your mainline track at the bottom of this 8-track configuration.
A few observations about this 8-track configuration.
One, you have reduced the number of yard classification tracks to three from your previous track diagrams. Are three classification tracks sufficient for your operational plan?
Two, the 5th track, one of the three classification tracks, also leads to the turntable. Is this ttack extension to the turntable useful since it will be typically blocked by freight cars awaiting classification?
Three, there appears to be adequate space to create one or two more yard classification tracks, perhaps even an arrival/departure track. Any interest in an A/D track?
richhotrainI do like how the mainline bypasses the yard. How about you? Do you like that arrangement?
Rich, thanks sir and yes, i do like it better than what i had originally. As for yard operations i will most likely be using a dedicated yard switcher(s) to to pull and arrange freight car consists coming into and leaving the yard. I do like the new arrangement, only regret i have is that i wish i had thought the process out more in the begenning lol....I already had the outer main line laid so yesterday i spent several hours taking up sections to create your suggestions. After it was all and done i really liked it though....Now all i need to do is figure into the space and track plan the location of where the 3 stall loco service shop will be located...I actually have 2 different 3 stall facilities, one of the older brick Walthers 3 stall engine service facility as well as one of the newer metal type Walthers 3 stall engine service facilities....I will post some pics when i get to that point....Thank you again Rich for your help and guidance Sir!
Trainz, I like it, but the question is, do you like it? As we say, it is your railroad so you want to be sure that it does what you want it to do.
Have you thought about how you will operate the yard? Will your road locos actually pull freight car consists into the yard, or will a yard loco or switcher perform that function? Same question for freight car consists that are leaving the yard for the mainline.
I do like how the mainline bypasses the yard. How about you? Do you like that arrangement?
Rich, here is my latest plan edited with your suggestions....Please let me know what you think sir....The stub end tracks on the left side i would like to route to my 3 bay engine service facility but i havent gotten that far as of yet lol...
richhotrain Trainzman2435 richhotrain Here are some suggested modifications to the other side of the yard. 1. The track work marked in green is not really necessary and could be eliminated. 2. The S-curve to reach the turntable has been replaced by a single curved track. Thanks Rich, i really appreciate your suggestions and i will give them a try. On the turntable end you say to remove all the green marked track, under that i see blue....Would i add a right hand turnout off of the main for the yard lead? Thanks again! That blue line running horizontally across the bottom of that diagram is the mailine running underneath the yard. I didn't take the time to curve it, but it would curve downward as it heads around the turntable and roundhouse. You will have to experiment with your track work to decide how the yard lead would connect smoothly to the mainline. It could be a right or left turnout, depending upon how and where the connection is made. Rich
Trainzman2435 richhotrain Here are some suggested modifications to the other side of the yard. 1. The track work marked in green is not really necessary and could be eliminated. 2. The S-curve to reach the turntable has been replaced by a single curved track. Thanks Rich, i really appreciate your suggestions and i will give them a try. On the turntable end you say to remove all the green marked track, under that i see blue....Would i add a right hand turnout off of the main for the yard lead? Thanks again!
richhotrain Here are some suggested modifications to the other side of the yard. 1. The track work marked in green is not really necessary and could be eliminated. 2. The S-curve to reach the turntable has been replaced by a single curved track.
Here are some suggested modifications to the other side of the yard.
1. The track work marked in green is not really necessary and could be eliminated.
2. The S-curve to reach the turntable has been replaced by a single curved track.
Thanks Rich, i really appreciate your suggestions and i will give them a try. On the turntable end you say to remove all the green marked track, under that i see blue....Would i add a right hand turnout off of the main for the yard lead? Thanks again!
That blue line running horizontally across the bottom of that diagram is the mailine running underneath the yard. I didn't take the time to curve it, but it would curve downward as it heads around the turntable and roundhouse. You will have to experiment with your track work to decide how the yard lead would connect smoothly to the mainline. It could be a right or left turnout, depending upon how and where the connection is made.
Rich, thanks for the clarification....One last thing....On the turntable end, after i remove the tracks marked in green and re route the main line to come around under the turntable...How do you see me being able to join into the yard tracks coming from the other end of the layout? Thanks again sir!
Here is a set of suggested modifications to the entry point to your yard.
1. Run the mainline around rather than through your yard.
2. Use that other entry track as the yard lead track.
3. Eliminate that track marked in green and instead use turnouts off the yard lead track for each of your yard tracks.
Trainzman2435 Rich, i am not 100% sure how i would make the adjustments as you have sketched there sir....would the the far right outer line be representative of my outer most loop on the right side?
Rich, i am not 100% sure how i would make the adjustments as you have sketched there sir....would the the far right outer line be representative of my outer most loop on the right side?
The latest version of your track plan is an improvement over the prior version. By the way, you show an S-curve to reach the turntable, but there is nothing that says that you cannot form a single curve to enter the turntable at a point higher than shown on your track diagram.
One other comment. You still have more tracks entering and exiting the yard than you really need. Considering simplifying that portion of your track plan even more. I will follow up with some suggested modifications.
richhotrainTrainz.jpg Add Quote to your Post
Rich, i am not 100% sure how i would make the adjustments as you have sketched there sir....would the the far right outer line be represenative of my outer most loop on the right side? Thanks again for your help sir! Also, if you guys thing i should or would be better off i have no problem with building a stub yard so please, keep the comments and suggestions coming guys!
Dave and Rich, i really appreciate you guys helping me out, i am just so frustrated that i have kind of built myself into a corner so to speak. Anyways, i did make a few adjustments but i am still stuck. i like the drawing Rich did as well as the suggestions but i am not sure what all would be involved in doing it that way. Dave, you have a valid point as far as whats more important regarding me not being able to move my turntable. i would not care to move it if i was sure where to relocate it to but with 12 stalls on the roundhouse and the turntable the current location is the only place it would fit unless you know something that i am overlooking. anyways, please take a look at the newest track plan attached and tell me if i am going the right direction or if i need to replan again...also, i use anyrail track planning software so if either of you also use it i would be glad to send you the track plan file to edit as you saw fit....again guys, i really appreciate your help and guidance...im hoping to get this yard/engine facility ironed out so i can move on lol.....:)
richhotrainI started drawing a revised track configuration in which the yard would branch off from the mainline with a lead track from which the three car shop tracks would branch off. My drawing would also eliminate the crossing so that the yard lead track would feed directly into the turntable. This would simplify things greatly while utilizing a double ended yard. My drawing is crude, but it should give you a rough idea of what I am talking about.
Hi Rich,
I think your plan makes much more sense. The OP did say that he couldn't move the turntable, but I question why not. So what if it requires replacing some benchwork? What's more important, saving some plywood and a couple of 1x4s or building a layout that works?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Trainzman2435 Guys, as you can see i have a bit of a problem. For whatever reason the track plan that i designed is not working out exactly as i thought it would.
Guys, as you can see i have a bit of a problem. For whatever reason the track plan that i designed is not working out exactly as i thought it would.
Trainzman2435 Hello guys, can any of you more experienced modelers suggest based on the photos how i could modify what i have yard/turntable track wise in the yard how to make it more operational? My plan isnt really working out due to a couple of prior changes i had to make
Hello guys, can any of you more experienced modelers suggest based on the photos how i could modify what i have yard/turntable track wise in the yard how to make it more operational? My plan isnt really working out due to a couple of prior changes i had to make
I started drawing a revised track configuration in which the yard would branch off from the mainline with a lead track from which the three car shop tracks would branch off. My drawing would also eliminate the crossing so that the yard lead track would feed directly into the turntable. This would simplify things greatly while utilizing a double ended yard. My drawing is crude, but it should give you a rough idea of what I am talking about.
hon30critter Hi trainzman2435, I know I have seen a picture of your track plan but I can't find it. Could you post the plan again? I find it much easier to analyze track plans when I can see them as opposed to pictures of track on a layout. Also, have you read 'Track Planning for Realistic Operations' by John Armstrong? It is considered to be one of the foremost tombs on model railroading. It has an excellent section on explaining how various yards work. Kalmbach usually has it in stock, but you can probably save a few bucks by checking out Amazon or eBay. https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12148 Cheers!! Dave
Hi trainzman2435,
I know I have seen a picture of your track plan but I can't find it. Could you post the plan again? I find it much easier to analyze track plans when I can see them as opposed to pictures of track on a layout.
Also, have you read 'Track Planning for Realistic Operations' by John Armstrong? It is considered to be one of the foremost tombs on model railroading. It has an excellent section on explaining how various yards work. Kalmbach usually has it in stock, but you can probably save a few bucks by checking out Amazon or eBay.
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/book/12148
Cheers!!
Hello Dave and thanks for the reply sir. It has been a bit since i was on here last but i have kind of redesigned what i originally had but i am still working on it...Please find the picture of my most current plan below.....Thank again!
Hello guys, can any of you more experienced modelers suggest based on the photos how i could modify what i have yard/turntable track wise in the yard how to make it more operational? My plan isnt really working out due to a couple of prior changes i had to make.....Should i opt for a stub yard instead or continue with trying to work out a through yard? I know its hard to tell someone else how to proceed just by looking at some pictures but i think you can get the just of it by the pictures. The only thing i really cant move is the 12 stall roundhouse and turntable....... Thanks everyone!
Guys, as you can see i have a bit of a peoblem. For whatever reason the track plan that i designed is not working out exactly as i thought it would. If you look at the 2 images you will notice that the yard i had planned i snot exactly working out as lanned, basically it is looking too inoperable or whatever the word may be. As you can see i have 1 outer main line feeding into what i thought would be the yard throat or ladder. I had planned on having a through yard but with the turntable at one end and maybe the other 2 loco and rail car repair facilities i had planned on using i cant seem to find a happy medium between all of this so i am hoping that some of you could possibly suggest a better way that i could utilize the space i have. The outer main line is already glued down as well as some of the yard ladder tracks. I know there has to be a better way to lay the yard area and be able to rejoin the main lines also but i cant for the life of me figure it out. Any and all help or suggestions are greatly appreciated as this has me held up right now. The only thing is i cant move the turntable or the outer main....I am open to modifying or rerouting the other tracks though.....Thanks everyone!
Dave and Brent, thank you both for your input and suggestions...I will see what i can come up with and let you know. Thanks again for your encouragement.....:)
Trainzman2435Here are a few progress updates....As usual give me your thoughts and recomendations! Thanks......:)
I think it looks great! I do like Ed's suggestion to add a bit to the cliff side, both for appearances and just to be safe, but there is nothing wrong with the way it is looking now.
That is taking shape nicely. On the cliff side you may want to strategically place some boulders or do mini cuts along the line to prevent a train taking a tumble.
Years ago I watched this series on working with foam and learned a lot.
Edit; on this bit you can see I put a bit of a lip along as the drop is high onto bricks.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
hon30critter Trainzman2435 Dave, many thanks sir for the explanation and picture....I will give it a try and see how it goes! I eagerly await your results! (If it doesn't work out, you can blame me!) Dave
Trainzman2435 Dave, many thanks sir for the explanation and picture....I will give it a try and see how it goes!
I eagerly await your results! (If it doesn't work out, you can blame me!)
Here are a few progress updates....As usual give me your thoughts and recomendations! Thanks......:)
Trainzman2435Dave, many thanks sir for the explanation and picture....I will give it a try and see how it goes!
hon30critter Trainzman2435 Any chance you might be able to photo shop a rough example of what you mean sir? Hi again, You asked for 'rough', you are getting 'rough'! Blue is the mountain surface, both in front of the track (toward the fascia) and behind the track. I am suggesting adding three or four inches to the existing ridge in front of the track so that it is well above the track where the slope meets the track. It should be significantly sloped towards the fascia. Don't round it off at the top. Behind the track (against the wall) I am suggesting that you continue the same slope until it meets the wall. Imagine the slope before the rail line was cut through it. That will make the mountain about 8" to 10" tall where it touches the wall (you can make it taller if you want but eventually it will stretch credibility). That will create a cut out where the mountain has been removed to lay the track. The far side of the cut out will be higher than the near side. The brown represents the far side of the actual cut out. It would be a fairly rough surface. Don't make it too smooth unless you are modelling very recent times. The light grey shows approximately where the peak of the ridge would be. I would not round the peak off as you did when you created the first ridges and valleys. It would be better to have some 'jaggedness' to the terrain IMHO. Of course, you can always add that after with plaster rock castings. Here it is: I hope that demonstrates my thoughts. Cheers!! Dave
Trainzman2435 Any chance you might be able to photo shop a rough example of what you mean sir?
Hi again,
You asked for 'rough', you are getting 'rough'!
Blue is the mountain surface, both in front of the track (toward the fascia) and behind the track. I am suggesting adding three or four inches to the existing ridge in front of the track so that it is well above the track where the slope meets the track. It should be significantly sloped towards the fascia. Don't round it off at the top.
Behind the track (against the wall) I am suggesting that you continue the same slope until it meets the wall. Imagine the slope before the rail line was cut through it. That will make the mountain about 8" to 10" tall where it touches the wall (you can make it taller if you want but eventually it will stretch credibility). That will create a cut out where the mountain has been removed to lay the track. The far side of the cut out will be higher than the near side.
The brown represents the far side of the actual cut out. It would be a fairly rough surface. Don't make it too smooth unless you are modelling very recent times.
The light grey shows approximately where the peak of the ridge would be. I would not round the peak off as you did when you created the first ridges and valleys. It would be better to have some 'jaggedness' to the terrain IMHO. Of course, you can always add that after with plaster rock castings.
Here it is:
I hope that demonstrates my thoughts.
Dave, many thanks sir for the explanation and picture....I will give it a try and see how it goes!