My trackplan- comments?

[Anonymous]

That'd kill my compter sure as the sky is blue.

[gderem]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dingoix



I really can't justify spending $100 for trackplanning software-

Atlas' popular layout planning program, the Right Track Software, has been upgraded to Version 7.0 and is available as a FREE DOWNLOAD! ----> http://www.atlasrr.com/

It's not hard to learn and can answer a lot of questions about the viability of your plan before you start to lay track.

[Anonymous]

Ok... here we go--

QUOTE:
What line are you doing prototype or freelanced?
Where in the world is it supposed to be?
What Time period?
What's the "function" of it...? Just to watch trains, move freight, have fun operations, etc?

#1 Chicago Great Western (prototype)
#2 Iowa (US)
#3 1968
#4 to watch trains when I feel like railfanning and for running a daily local.

Chip, this plan is just a rough draft, it's the best I can come up with. I might try to draw a better one and re-post it.

Glenn, I'll think about the crossovers.

curves are 22" non-easment

I really can't justify spending $100 for trackplanning software- I'm gonna start laying track in a few weeks (once the benchwork is up) and go from there. As I said, this plan isn't exact, just to give the basic idea.

BTW, I have a copy of TPFRO and Realistic Model RR operation. I'm gonna re-read 'em both a few times.

[gderem]

[2c]my 2 cents, and I'm sure it's not worth more than that.
As Coyote said, I would get some track design software like Atlas'. That would allow you to see how or if it will all fit the way you hope.

For example, if you are using 22" radius, your curves here would require 66" plus space along the edge. If you use easements, your total space required could easily be more than 72" and you've allotted 5 feet.


Track planning software will also allow you to figure out if your ladder will fit in that area.

For you industry area at the bottom, it looks like you will be pulling forward into that area. If you have a train of any length you might have problems splitting up your cars. If you had a double line down the middle with several crossovers between, it might make your switching easier. I tried to draw it here:


I have no idea if that helps, but maybe it will trigger some ideas for you. Others will have better ideas I'm sure.

[SpaceMouse]

I know you have computer issues with downloading software. Could you start it at night and walk away?

The very least you can do is get a ruler, some graph paper, and a protractor and make a scale drawing. For around $11, you can get an HO template so that you don't even need the protractor. All the turnouts are a matter of tracing.

People have been telling you for a while, that it is your seemingly disregard for the people you want to help you that is at the base of your lack of response. You want others to help, yet you are not willing to give them something easy to read to work with.

Look at it this way. If there are 10 people out there wanting help with plans, and nine of them have plans that are easy to read, who is going to get the most help?

[Anonymous]

Dingoix,

Hello Sir,

I was looking over your track plan, and I'll be the first to admit I don't know squat about track planning. I'm just now about at the point where I'm ready to walk away from my plans and start to build and it’s been a long and often difficult process.

What I wanted to tell you was this -Don’t give up hope or get too discouraged. Of course you will as you go on from time to time, there were many a time that I wanted to just throw up my hands and walk away from the whole mess, but after a cool down back I'd go to it and I often found that the things that made me the most frustrated taught me the most and turned out the best in the end; makes me a bit suspicious of the things that went easy. [:D]

If I had any advice, for what it's worth from a green horn like me, it would be to get what you want firmly set in your mind first, then be ready to compromise and re-examine, revaluate, compromise again and go back.

Track planning, for me at least has been a 3 steps forward, one step back situation... But that's ok because you still got two steps in and they add up. [;)]

If it was me I'd sit down and layout exactly what the elements were that I wanted - such as:

What line are you doing prototype or freelanced?
Where in the world is it supposed to be?
What Time period?
What's the "function" of it...? Just to watch trains, move freight, have fun operations, etc?

Then if you haven't already walk, run, crawl, fly to the nearest place you can find a copy of John Armstrong's book: Track Planning for Realistic Operation (ISBN 0-89024 -227-5 Published by Kalmbach Books). Get a copy of that and read it through - then read it again -then again - then repeat. [:)] I'm on my fourth reader and still trying to get it all.

Now I know how that just sounded - like a lot of great and exciting fun.... wee read a book 6 times what joy, but trust me it is an incredible valuable book for anyone interested in making their own track plan.

And if I just stuck my size 11's in my mouth and you've already read it and are familiar with it I apologize; it’s easy to make assumption and I shouldn't.

Then I'd try and find any track planning software I could. Now I'm going to try and convince you that 3rd Planit (available at http://www.trackplanning.com/) is the greatest thing since the wheel. It functions as a good cad tool allows easy conversion between 1:1 scale and model scale and is just a great tool.

However, many others are out there some are free some cost, some have demos that are good enough to get the work done, some are number crunching monsters that need lots of memory and some are small and simple.
But I think if you look around you'll be able to find something that you like and works for you, find some and try them out.

The next thing I'd say to you is: It's always smaller or larger than it looks, measure everything not twice but four times and write it all down someplace and keep it safe. I'd do this with your space, your layout, yourself and anything else you can think of - and I’m not being flippant here about yourself; arm length, height, eye level and wideness at hip can all end up being important figures to know.

*looks up* Hrmm that sure is a lot of talk and not much advice on your track plan isn't it? [8)] I wish I had more I could say to help you.
Maybe write up the answers to some of those questions and post them. Those that like the same area, time and line are usually very eager to help out those that are doing what they are doing.

Well I'll wrap this up and hope I've been any help at all and didn't end up sounding like an old wind bag.

Last but not least and again... Don't get discouraged! Keep em flying and keep going at it. You -will- get it!!

I'm looking forward to seeing more soon.

Peace.
Coyote

[Anonymous]

Is anybody out there?


sorry for the crude plan, I don't have any trackplanning software.

[Anonymous]

I'm gonna have acess on all sides except on the on the bottom (how it appears on paper0

here's the latest update--


the section to the right is 5' long, making the overall layout 17' long. it's 9' high (as it appears on paper)

[fsm1000]

dingoix I don't know how old you are but I know for myself as I get older, reaching long distances, especially at any hieght, is tiring to say the least. To do that long enough to lay track, do wiring, put on scenery etc, hmmm. I think you should rethink the long stretch or at the least put in some pop up holes [access] in your layout.
Just an idea.
Stephen

[Anonymous]

I drew up another plan. I'll post it tomorrow or I might try to download RTS tonight and do it with RTS.

[Anonymous]

I know. Most people just edit a post to bump up the topic.

[conrail92]

not to be rude or anything as i joined main forums i always saw bumping as something you werent allowed to do, just watned to give you a heads up most forums dont allow bumping of posts. wouldnt want you too get yelled at

[Anonymous]

Just a bump on this.

[Anonymous]

The yard ladders will be at more of an angle, meaning one more yard track may be removed, but I assure you it'll fit.

[pcarrell]

You might want to start playing with some track planning software.

I see where you're trying to go with this, and it looks promising, but I'm not sure it's all going to fit like you've drawn it. Some software will help sort that out.

Here's a recent thread that lists a few freebee's; http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=66237

[Anonymous]

I removed 2 yard tracks and the 2 ready tracks. since I redid the plan I have decided to add a caboose track (not shown on the plan) and maybe a car shop but the CS could be added anytime. I might also only have 1 backshop to have room for another industry.

[Anonymous]

FOA, thanks for all the comments (and suggestions). I really appreciate them.

QUOTE: The last couple of really short tracks in your yard ladder (between the turnouts) could probably be eliminated because you won't be able to store much there.

The revised plan has 2 of the shortest yard tracks removed. But, I'm also considering leaving them and putting a car shop there, since that's where it is in the yard this is based on (CGWs Oelwein (Iowa) yard)

Also, that's not another yard on the right side- it's part of the engine service facility. The top building will be a Walthers diesel house and below that will be 2 Walthers backshops, which were made about 10 years ago.

Also, in the revised plan the main has been highlighted to make it easier to see.
I think I'll be able to get the revised plan posted tomorrow morning.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Looks like you've got a couple of pretty wicked S-curves on the left side of the operator's area. Couple be a problem in the future. Other than that, it looks good. When will you have a drafted plan?

[tstage]

dingoix,

The last couple of really short tracks in your yard ladder (between the turnouts) could probably be eliminated because you won't be able to store much there. Maybe have them crossover the ladder track in between the engine house (?) and the smaller yard on the right side? Just an idea...

I like the industrial spurs at the bottom of the layout.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: is it going to be looped or one way back and fourth

QUOTE: there will be a 4x4 section added to the top left where the main runs off the table to provide continous running.

QUOTE: the bottom piece of the layout has alot of sidings like you plan on putting something there

Of course I plan on putting something there- it's my industrial park. The buildings on the bottom will be background buildings to save space.

The layout will end up about 49" high. Turnouts not witin easy reach will be remote-controlled. Also, the yard and shops will run off a power pack on the side of the layout opposite the operators pit (top of the plan) so whoever is working the yard can reach the turnouts easier. The main and spurs and wye (everything but the yard and shops) will be run off a power pack in the operators pit. There will be a section at each end of the yard lead / arrival / departure track that can be run from either power pack. A train can come in and stop on this section and if I am the only operator I'll go over to the p-p that runs the yard and bring the train in, cut off the engines, yada yada yada...

[nucat78]

QUOTE: Originally posted by pcarrell

Do you have access to all sides of the layout? Seems like kind of a long reach.

I agree. 4 feet is a long reach and will seem longer if the layout is built at chest level as some folks prefer to do.

[pcarrell]

Do you have access to all sides of the layout? Seems like kind of a long reach.

[conrail92]

nice,is it going to be looped or one way back and fourth, what industries do you plan on having, the bottom piece of the layout has alot of sidings like you plan on putting something there

[Anonymous]

there will be a 4x4 section added to the top left where the main runs off the table to provide continous running. The top section is 4x13, with a 4x5 below that and a 2x8 on the 4x5 (confusing enough[:p]?) The plan is now a bit different- 2 yard tracks have been removed, and the 2 "ready tracks" next to the shops are gone. I know it's a bit overyarded, but I am modeling a real location (well, the yard and shops) I'll get the updated plan soon.

So, whaddya think?

Comments and suggestions are appreciated.[:)]