Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
The "Jordan Valley" trackplan looks to me as if it were designed by someone who wanted to build complicated trackage for its own sake, and not to provide realistic, varied or interesting operating possibilities. The two double junctions look sort of interesting, but they don't accomplish anything other than to interlace a double track oval with a (partially) single track oval. All the ovals do is offer trains a slightly different route to chase their own tails. Here are "gotchas" not already mentioned: -- The double junctions call for 15 degree crossings. None are available built-up in HO at present, so they will havbe to be custom-built. (For those interested in double junctions, there is good news--PECO has announced a #6 crossing to match the #6 turnouts in its Code 83 line of North American prototype trackage, expected out later this year.) --The double crossover at "Sarah City" is a needless complication, and the #6 turnouts in it produce s-curves which will result in less-than-satisfactory operation of scale-length passenger cars. Replacing this trackwork with a pair of #8 crossovers in the same vicinity would be a definite improvement. --At both of the double junctions, the principal lines run through the diverging routes of the turnouts. The better practice would be to run the principal lines through the straight routes. --Switching is hindered at "Salem" by the lack of a convenient double-ended siding (or "runaround track"). Also, the "yard" tracks have most of their turnouts on one of the main lines--the better and more realistic approach would be to have the turnouts on a lead track separate from the main. Further, the turnouts are all located on a grade which rises toward the tail end of the yard. The better practice would be to have the grade run in the oppposite direction, i.e., descending toward the tail end of the yard. -- The curved single-track bridge at "Aaron" will be a headache to build and will be unrealsitic to boot. Note that if the siding at that location is kept as drawn, the points of the siding turnout will be out on the bridge. --The distance from the edge of the benchwork to the upper left-hand and lower left-hand corners of the layout is greater than 30 inches. This will be inconvenient for construction and maintenance--particularly if the benchwork is buiilt at a relatively-high 52" off the floor. --John
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

Update Reply

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!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community