QUOTE: Originally posted by GearDrivenSteam Must be nice to have that much $#@!&!! space.
QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy Maybe I missed it in earlier incarnations and posts of the track plan, but should we assume that your concept is long trains and continual running, as opposed to a lot of switching? One thing that would make it easier to analyze the layout would be a clearer indication of the benchwork location/size. This is especially important when looking at access reach, etc. Also, if we assume that the left and bottom edges are against the wall (?) we'd need some idea of general scenery ideas, at least in terms of tunnels or other hidden track, again with the idea of looking at potential access issues. I'm not clear about the use/intent of the small passing sidings (if that's what they are) located on the right side (3 squares left and 4 squares up from the words "unfinished yard". I suppose that if I had that much space I'd be tempted to try to put in a good engine service facility, but that's just my personal preference. I don't see anything that looks like that on your plan. I'm assuming (again) HO? If so, then take a close look at all your curve radii. You have a few that look to be less than 24". Again, with all that room it would be a shame to have 24" minimum radii. If your software permits, you might want to consider putting coordinates on the grid (numbers across the top, letters down the side) to make it easier to point out the location of any questionnable items. Looks like a great layout. I'm jealous. Ed
QUOTE: Originally posted by selector Looks okay to me, but I wonder what you are doing with that crossover series at the bottom. You can't park anything between the upper track turnouts if you wanted to use that as a runaround. Looks like lots of industrial possibilities and room for a maintenance yard, etc. Lots of 'running' main, too.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse I was reading this last night. It is from the July 2003 MR and is a flashback to March 1944, an editorial by Frank Taylor. "With a Purpose To design an interesting railroad is difficult, Most of become aware of this after our system is in operation for a short time. When the novelty of running trains over newly laid track wears off, we realize that our layout isn't just what it should be. And even after some of the trackwork is changed, we become bored. The trouble is, we are not accomplishing a thing by running our trains. To make the model railroad operation interesting we should design our railroad with a purpose in mind--that of providing rail transportation to various factories, farms, terminals and industries in general. We should forget about our preference for an oval track, or a water-wing pattern for a single or multi-track main lines, because none of these features in themselves will keep us enthralled. Instead, we should build our pike just as our country was developed. Before we decide out track pattern we should determine what kinds of industry we intend to serve and where they should be located. With these plotted on our plan, it is evident that rail service is needed and the track pattern automatically suggests itself. We see there is a definite need for a siding to our lumber yard; another for the bulk oil warehouse. A passing siding between Eton and Mellsville will facilitate freight and passenger moves; yards and roundhouse near the town of Aetna seem logical. In this way our layout design takes form. Every track is located for the purpose of providing the transportation required by conditions. Next consideration is service. Whether it be freight or passenger transportation, we must consider the time element, which is the essence of service. A clock should be regeared to run 10 to 12 times faster than normal. With this speeded-up timepiece on hand, we can design a series of realistic schedules which will show runs figured in fractions of hours instead of the actual fractions of minutes that elapse. Each schedule should be on a separate chard and each should provide plenty of operations to be handled ins a definite length of time. This is kind of model railroad being designed by the Montreal Model Railroad Club. The businesses and industries have been plotted and each section of track and time schedule will serve a definite purpose. Membership should never fall off because the railroad lacks interest.--Frank Taylor"
QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse The thing is, I know exactly how you feel because someone did the same thing to me. I knew I wanted to model a lumber operation in the redwoods and I wanted the era in the 1890's. I started researching and found there were no railroads in that part of the country that did what I wanted. Then I found the California Western that happened to go from the town I was born, Fort Bragg 40 miles to Willits. I found that they completed a line through to the newly formed Northwestern Pacific in 1912 and the NWP was completed in 1914. I chose as the year I was modeling because a certain bridge I wanted to model was completed that year. After that, the design flew together and everything had purpose. When I design a siding or runaround, I know what it is for and why it is absolutely necessary. Oh, I still gets lots of help from the guys here, but the purpose guides all decisions.
QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer given the time you say it's going to take you to get the garage ready for the layout you have plenty of time to refine your track plans . it looks like you're off to a very good start here's a book you may be interested in http://www.goldenspike.us/si/SP106.html it covers the construction of the arizona ATSF line and has some info on the super chief . most of the info is pre 1910 with a couple of chapters on the era you're modelling , so you may want to see if it's available through the library rather than ordering it . if you have any specific questions i have to book and will be happy to answer them for you
QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy Here's the original Coyote layout: http://home.att.net/~clearpix/index.htm and . . . http://www.theramp.net/brantner/index.htm
QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher With that plan. I think I would make the track on the center island loop over itself like part of a figure 8. That makes the main line about 6 feet longer and gives an interesting bridging or tunneling crossing possibility.
QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpacoyote QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher With that plan. I think I would make the track on the center island loop over itself like part of a figure 8. That makes the main line about 6 feet longer and gives an interesting bridging or tunneling crossing possibility. I'll take a look at that, if I follow your meaning..
QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher QUOTE: Originally posted by grandpacoyote QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher With that plan. I think I would make the track on the center island loop over itself like part of a figure 8. That makes the main line about 6 feet longer and gives an interesting bridging or tunneling crossing possibility. I'll take a look at that, if I follow your meaning.. Here is a picture of what I mean.... As you have it. What I was thinking And it has no S-curves.
QUOTE: Originally posted by Texas Zepher Usually these are left around for later reference, or people who are having similar issues or need similar ideas.