"A Layout To Last Forever" Question

[Texas Pete]

In the March 2016 issue.

It seem logical that the two single track tunnels at the left side of the illustration may connect to the two single track tunnels on the right side, but where do the lines entering the double track portal connect to the rest of the layout?

One possibility is that the track coming off the truss bridge connects to the inside line of the outer loops forming a figure eight, and the two tracks from the diverging routes of the switches near the 364 lumber loader are just stub sidings, but it's hard to know for sure.

The article seems to imply that there may have been a track plan available for this layout, if so it would have been nice if it had been included.

Pete

[balidas]

I looked at that also. When details for the layout finally came out, 10 switches are listed as being used. With only 8 visible I would assume 2 switches are situated under the mountain. One switch to merge the 2 lines going into the double tunnel & the next switch merging that line into the next loop coming out of the inside single tunnel. An issue I see is the train travelling the outer loop in the direction that it is, once it's diverted into the inner loops would not be able to return to the outer loop unless it was backed in.

[balidas]

This help any?

[oscar99]

The January 2000 issue of Classic Toy Trains on page 148 has a article and track plan of this layout.

[Texas Pete]

balidas

This help any? 

(snipped track plan)

 

 

Thanks, balidas, actually it does in that it persuaded me to also make a version in Scarm.  Switches in tunnels can be a big problem, so if I have to eliminate a couple switches that's what I'll do.

 

Pete

[balidas]

You're Welcome. Of course that is merely my interpretation. Everybody would have a different idea of what to do. I use Scarm also. It's been by far the easiest track software for me to learn & use.