Login
or
Register
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Home
»
Model Railroader
»
Forums
»
Layouts and layout building
»
Tracklaying Saga
Edit topic
Updated your discussion topic below.
Subject
Enter a subject for your topic. Maximum 150 characters.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
Just thought I'd share, because I can't do anything but laugh or I'd cry... <br /> <br />So it's time for tracklaying to commence on the new layout. Yay! <br /> <br />After much advice and consideration, I decided to start with the logging line. It's elevated and toward the rear of my shelves, so get it in place before I start the "in front" mainline, yards, etc. <br /> <br />The critical area of the logging line that will determine the rest is the "mountain" area where the logging camp as well as a coal mine sit. So we start there. <br /> <br />But, since one part of the logging line sits above the mainline (where it goes through a tunnel), I really had to lay that section of mainline first, so I wasn't trying to do trackwork underneath a 10" high platform. <br /> <br />Fair enough. But one issue... <br /> <br />The critical placement piece for that section of mainline is a turnout where my staging yard enters. That turnout isn't under the logging line, it's a few feet away. But it's placement is critical to the rest of the section that IS under the logging line. <br /> <br />So I have to start with that turnout, then the mainline under the logging line keyed off it, then the logging line. <br /> <br />Okay. Can do. But... <br /> <br />The entrance from staging must work around supports for the section of the logging line that goes through the staging area behind the backdrop. That section of the logging line must be carefully placed in relation to the spot where it pierces the backdrop to go back out front and become visible again. <br /> <br />So I have to start with one section of the logging line through staging, to position the turnout out of staging to lay the mainline under the logging line to lay that section of the logging line. <br /> <br />No big deal. We can do that. Except for one thing... <br /> <br />That cut through the backdrop for the logging line must be very precisely placed and is on a curve. This must be so because the logging line passes behind the passenger yard after it emerges, and a miscalculation won't leave enough space between the yard and the logging line to scenic it nicely. I don't want a 4" horizontal separation of a 8" vertical separation and have to build a ridiculous looking 10-foot-long retaining wall... <br /> <br />So I have to place the car yard to position the opening through the backgdrop to position the turnout out of staging to lay the mainline under the logging line so I can lay that part of the logging line. <br /> <br />Okay, so I have to start with the car yard. I don't even have to lay the tracks for that one, just mark it out. Fair enough. But wait... <br /> <br />The passenger yard placement is dependent on tracks connecting it to the passenger terminal which sits on a peninsula. The two are connected, as is common with passenger terminals, with a complex series of tracks including double-slips, etc. This calls for some careful, precision tracklaying, not just marking it out, and certainly not a "quickie"job. <br /> <br />So I have to place the passenger terminal to position the car yard to position the backdrop opening to position the turnout from staging to lay the mainline section that sits under the logging section to lay that part of the logging line. <br /> <br />Okay. We start with the passenger terminal. My operations are passenger focused, the layout's designed around the passenger terminal, so that makes sense. But... <br /> <br />The passenger terminal sits on a peninsula that also includes the loco service facility which includes a turntable. The turntable must be carefully positioned as spacing is rather tight here. If it's too close to the edge, I won't have space for tracks long enough to hold my articulated steam. If it's too far from the edge, there won't be room to bring the loco entry track past the passenger terminal with sufficient clearance. <br /> <br />So I have to position the turntable to position the passenger terminal to position the car yard to position the backdrop opening to position the turnout from staging to position the mainline that sits under the logging line to lay that part of the logging line. <br /> <br />Fine. We start with the turntable. But... <br /> <br />Oddly enough, the most critical placement in the loco service area is the utility track - the track where hoppers deliver coal, remove ash from the ashpit, etc. The placement of that is critical because it connects, via a crossover and turnout, to a track that runs all the way around the layout to the other side where the coal mine sits. Coal from the mine, coal for the locos, makes sense right? <br /> <br />So I have to position the utility track so I can position the turntable so I can place the passenger terminal so I can position the car yard so I can position the backdrop opening to position the turnout from staging to position the mainline that sits under the logging line to lay that part of the logging line. <br /> <br />One problem. That track that goes to the mine has another name. I usually call it... The logging line. <br /> <br />So I need to start with the logging line. Okay, except... <br /> <br />There's this part of the mainline that goes under the logging line... <br /> <br />BLAAAAAH! <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
E-mail Subscribe
Check the box below if you want to receive e-mail notifications when replies are made to this thread.
Receive notifications
Update Discussion Topic
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Users Online
York1
see all »
Search the Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter
See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter
and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up