4 part article Coal Terminal & Trestle Layout by Jim Riccioli

[Anonymous]

[?] In the picture it shows 2 trains on the layout, how do you run 2 at the same time.

[wrmcclellan]

You would have to use TMCC or implement blocks and relay controls (per some other articles in CTT). The basic layout wiring as presented in the Feb 2004 CTT does not provide for blocks although it would be easy to adapt with some strategically placed insulating pins.

Regards,
Roy

[Bob Keller]

Without command control, you could not run too trains on the layout. As a 4x8 it is pretty small to try and run two trains, even if they were short.

[Anonymous]

I have been playing with this layout. It allows you to park an engine on the elevated line, and do some switching on the platform.

Somewhere in these forums is an expanded version, which looks to be a little more versitial.

Just barely started with it, and already expanding.

Bob
I know the voices aren't real, but they do have some good ideas.....

[Anonymous]

Found it. Look for a thread titled "Disapointed with Model Railroader Special Edition O gauge layout"

The layout is discussed and there is a diagram. of an improved version.

Bob
Inside every old man is a teenage kid wondering what happened.

[3railguy]

I think they did it for photogenic purposes. However, the plan features an isolated block on the elevated mainline that you can shut off. This allows you to shut off the faster train allowing the slower train to catch up. The spurs are isolated with switches to so you can uncouple a cut of cars from the mainline train, park the mainline train on the elevated section, and pull a switcher out of a spur to grab the cut of cars and spot them on a spur or two. If you run two trains, it's best they be short. Like four cto six cars. Otherwise, it's too small of a layout for two trains.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies so far, I expanded the layout to 5x9 using O & O-31 curves. Also I am using DCS. Hopefully this will prompt some more feedback
ROZY