Stumped by Module Trackwork need advice...

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am building a module that is about 6 feet by 3 feet more or less. I plan to have a main line (Ok, a place for a train to run thru) down the length of the area. I have settled the specific number of cars to serve the module. (About 36) There will be a dedicated switcher working this module.

If my first train comes in with 6 box cars to be loaded and I put it on the single passing siding for the switcher to put away into the shipping area, what will I do to accomodate the follow on trains from staging which vary in length from 4 to 10 cars?

Is the solution more passing sidings? Or should I build a stub yard big enough for 36 cars?

I dont have a plan to post here but I hope to hear your theories.

Thank you for your time

Lee

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am building a module that is about 6 feet by 3 feet more or less. I plan to have a main line (Ok, a place for a train to run thru) down the length of the area. I have settled the specific number of cars to serve the module. (About 36) There will be a dedicated switcher working this module.

If my first train comes in with 6 box cars to be loaded and I put it on the single passing siding for the switcher to put away into the shipping area, what will I do to accomodate the follow on trains from staging which vary in length from 4 to 10 cars?

Is the solution more passing sidings? Or should I build a stub yard big enough for 36 cars?

I dont have a plan to post here but I hope to hear your theories.

Thank you for your time

Lee

[Wdlgln005]

Looks like you need to check out all the trackplans in MR or MRC or in any other model hobby publication. See what each track does and how it is used. MR used to publish switching puzzles, to demonstrate how a real crew would do it.

Building a module means that you will abide by certain set standards so that your unit will exactly fit with any other modules in your group. The mainline will be a set distance from the front. The second mainline will be a set distance from the first one. The track will end a set distance from the L&R edge so that a piece of standard straight track will connect your track with the same track on the other modules. Electrical standards insure that trains will run thru your module on their way to C. Don't worry about switching at this stage. Get the mainline in first, then start to add 1 industry or structure at a time.

[Wdlgln005]

Looks like you need to check out all the trackplans in MR or MRC or in any other model hobby publication. See what each track does and how it is used. MR used to publish switching puzzles, to demonstrate how a real crew would do it.

Building a module means that you will abide by certain set standards so that your unit will exactly fit with any other modules in your group. The mainline will be a set distance from the front. The second mainline will be a set distance from the first one. The track will end a set distance from the L&R edge so that a piece of standard straight track will connect your track with the same track on the other modules. Electrical standards insure that trains will run thru your module on their way to C. Don't worry about switching at this stage. Get the mainline in first, then start to add 1 industry or structure at a time.

[Anonymous]

You don't specify a scale, so... In HO there is no way you are going to get enough track on a 6' by 3' module to hold 36 cars, let alone move any of them. I don't think you could even do it in N. FRED

[Anonymous]

You don't specify a scale, so... In HO there is no way you are going to get enough track on a 6' by 3' module to hold 36 cars, let alone move any of them. I don't think you could even do it in N. FRED

[Anonymous]

Fred and Glen,

Thank you for your advice. I wanted to clarify that the total fleet is 36 cars. 24 of which will fit on each of my sidings away from the main and the remaining 8 will be extra traffic to avoid repitition such as a cable load to replace worn pierside cabling on the cranes.

My main problem is the limited passing siding and the more I think about how to get around the problem (Pun intended using the switcher) the more I suspect the prototype has the same problem.

The scale is HO. And I may need to lengthen the industrial complex just a bit to better accomodate some late ideas. That is dependant on the Spouse's ability to allocate wall real estate.
Thank you for your thoughts, I have learned much.

Lee

[Anonymous]

Fred and Glen,

Thank you for your advice. I wanted to clarify that the total fleet is 36 cars. 24 of which will fit on each of my sidings away from the main and the remaining 8 will be extra traffic to avoid repitition such as a cable load to replace worn pierside cabling on the cranes.

My main problem is the limited passing siding and the more I think about how to get around the problem (Pun intended using the switcher) the more I suspect the prototype has the same problem.

The scale is HO. And I may need to lengthen the industrial complex just a bit to better accomodate some late ideas. That is dependant on the Spouse's ability to allocate wall real estate.
Thank you for your thoughts, I have learned much.

Lee

[der5997]

Lee: Wdlgln005 mentioned MR, and Switching Puzzles. If you can get hold of a back issue of MR for October 1976 Page 67 ff. you will find a "Timesaver" switching game that may give you some ideas. The same thing is done as a "town' in the MR Novemeber 1977 issue. That article, "One of my towns is a Timesaver" by Ed Vondrak, shows a through main, a passing siding of indeterminate length, and a lead from that coming down to the tracks that form the puzzle. I think that by extending some of those tracks you could park your unwanted rolling stock and still have space for operating the game. Good Luck.

[der5997]

Lee: Wdlgln005 mentioned MR, and Switching Puzzles. If you can get hold of a back issue of MR for October 1976 Page 67 ff. you will find a "Timesaver" switching game that may give you some ideas. The same thing is done as a "town' in the MR Novemeber 1977 issue. That article, "One of my towns is a Timesaver" by Ed Vondrak, shows a through main, a passing siding of indeterminate length, and a lead from that coming down to the tracks that form the puzzle. I think that by extending some of those tracks you could park your unwanted rolling stock and still have space for operating the game. Good Luck.

[cacole]

When you say "module," do you mean one that can connect to other modules and run as a modular layout, or just for your use alone and never be moved? This question is going to make a lot of difference in what you can and can't do, because if you mean for it to be portable and connect with other modules, you need to comply with NMRA module standards, which require two straight-through mainlines in HO, 5 and 7 inches on center from the front edge, with the tracks ending 4.5 inches from the ends so a 9 inch piece of snap track can be used to interconnect the modules. You also can't have any turnouts within 3.5 inches of the ends, which takes away even more room for sidings. You can download the NMRA standards free from the NMRA Web site.

[cacole]

When you say "module," do you mean one that can connect to other modules and run as a modular layout, or just for your use alone and never be moved? This question is going to make a lot of difference in what you can and can't do, because if you mean for it to be portable and connect with other modules, you need to comply with NMRA module standards, which require two straight-through mainlines in HO, 5 and 7 inches on center from the front edge, with the tracks ending 4.5 inches from the ends so a 9 inch piece of snap track can be used to interconnect the modules. You also can't have any turnouts within 3.5 inches of the ends, which takes away even more room for sidings. You can download the NMRA standards free from the NMRA Web site.

[Anonymous]

cacole,

I reviewed your words, and indeed have some more thoughts. I realized that I can indeed build this to a moldular standard or a stand alone shelf operation. Either way it will be incorperated into a future room sized layout.

This will be a small section of a future layout. It is a stand alone at the present time. It is not practical to transport this to modular meets at Train Shows etc at the moment. However I am looking into modular construction as a method to defeat space constraints.

I also recently uncovered the very magazines you mentioned and a few others. I am familiar with the John Allen's Timesaver as well. That along with the MR's switching puzzles has guided me in the idea stage. MR should bring back these wonderful articles.

Thank you for your information and ideas.

Lee

[Anonymous]

cacole,

I reviewed your words, and indeed have some more thoughts. I realized that I can indeed build this to a moldular standard or a stand alone shelf operation. Either way it will be incorperated into a future room sized layout.

This will be a small section of a future layout. It is a stand alone at the present time. It is not practical to transport this to modular meets at Train Shows etc at the moment. However I am looking into modular construction as a method to defeat space constraints.

I also recently uncovered the very magazines you mentioned and a few others. I am familiar with the John Allen's Timesaver as well. That along with the MR's switching puzzles has guided me in the idea stage. MR should bring back these wonderful articles.

Thank you for your information and ideas.

Lee