NOTE: Due to my Chief Finical Officer , The Boss Lady :), objections to additional right of way (next room) and costs, So I had to cut down my layout size and redesign it eliminiting for now the second level. Redesigning it presented some challenges. Please see changes I've posted.
I'll leave the original here for reference to early responses;
Before I lay the first piece of track, I would like, if time is available, for the experienced layout designers on the forum to look it over and express their opinions.
As I said it is an N Scale layout "J" shaped, long side 17' short side 8" . There are no reach issues. The main level has a version of the Central Jersey Bronx Terminal Facility, which is kind of unique, I've not seen one like it in any layout. Here is a link to the CJBTF prototype from 1950.
http://www.port-kelsey.com/?cat=11
The helix is 24" (in case of later expansion) to the second level, 9 stories, 2.5 " between stories, 19" radius, for a 2.2 % grade. Threaded steel rods will support the helix. Main level is about 7 N scale miles and the second level is about 3 N scale miles. All m/l radius are 19", The slow freight radius are 19" and 11". It was drawn using Atlas RTS (I can't do Flex) However, when built the T/O will be Peco medium and curved,. Peco Flex and Atlas flex track. The terminal facility uses 9-1/2" radius and small T/Os an only Plymouth diesels and an 0-6-0 saddle tank will work it.
It will be a long term project, years to completion and designed as a one man operation. Here are the images;
ThanksRon
Hi Ron,
I can see you've put an emmence amount of thought into this layout. The attention to detail is great. It's going to be hard to nit-pick this thing.
The pics are a bit small to read the writing, so I'll ask some questions that may be answered in the notes on the pics, so forgive me please.
First, I'm assuming the helix to the second level is on the left in the second pic? If so, where does it connect on the other level? Is that the track in the top right corner of the first pic? Also, this will only work if the level in the second pic is below the one in the first pic, otherwise the helix is in the way.
On the main level (first pic?), you have a pretty well thought out yard, but is it big enough to support the dock area (?) on the bottom right? And what is the circular tracks in the lower right all about? The notes on the pic probably answer a lot of this, but like I said, I can't read it.
Also, on the second level (bottom pic), is that all the trackwork you were going to do there? The reason I ask is that, while it makes the mainline run longer, which is great, there isn't much to do there other then the yard (which doesn't have any yard leads BTW). There's room for a few industries there (something to generate or justify all that traffic created by those great docks). If this is for staging, why not scenic it and add a few industries? On-stage staging could work well here and add some valuable real estate and industries. And what are the four tracks sticking out from the corners of the yard on this level? Switcher pockets?
Like I said, your note probably answer a lot of these questions, but I just thought I'd throw them out there.
Man, you don't make it easy on a guy! Tough plan to pick on!
Hello pcarrell;
First let me thank you for your response and apologise for the small images. Even when it's clicked it's still to small to read the comments. I don't know enough about converting the RTS image to a large image to see it clearly. I'm working on it. Answers to your questions follow Your question is followed by my underlined answer. Let me know if further information is needed.
BTW. I updated the picture with the correct image.
pcarrell wrote: First, I'm assuming the helix to the second level is on the left in the second pic? If so, where does it connect on the other level? Is that the track in the top right corner of the first pic? Also, this will only work if the level in the second pic is below the one in the first pic, otherwise the helix is in the way. I posted an older image so you didn't see the top left hand exit to the helix. It's in the new image. It exits to the helix after it enters the mountain on top left side. I also left in the top Right hand exit for possible future use. On the main level (first pic?), you have a pretty well thought out yard, but is it big enough to support the dock area (?) on the bottom right? And what is the circular tracks in the lower right all about? The notes on the pic probably answer a lot of this, but like I said, I can't read it. Yes it will. On the prototype it's, one way in (barge) and one way out, exit to yard/industry. I had to emulate this by keeping 15 or so pieces of rolling stock in the yard at all times and moving out or in 2 to 3 pieces of rolling stock at a time. The circular track go around a circular transfer/storage terminal handles full carloads or less than full car loads In it middle it has an entrance for trucks to enter/exit and pickup/drop-off loads. Building this circular terminal is going to be a challenge to my kit-bashing skills but a fun one. Operations in the barge terminal facility will be fun and interesting and will keep an operator busy for some time. Also, on the second level (bottom pic), is that all the track work you were going to do there? The reason I ask is that, while it makes the mainline run longer, which is great, there isn't much to do there other then the yard (which doesn't have any yard leads BTW). There's room for a few industries there (something to generate or justify all that traffic created by those great docks). If this is for staging, why not scenic it and add a few industries? On-stage staging could work well here and add some valuable real estate and industries. And what are the four tracks sticking out from the corners of the yard on this level? Switcher pockets? The second level will be used for future expansion. Right now the yard is just a staging train storage yard. Full cars in empties out, Expand the main line run time, train enters runs to the reversing loop and back out in the opposite direction, sort of a there and back. Yes the four tracks are storage for Locomotives, A train come in and change locos when it goes back out. And since it's 24" lower than the main level, as you say it'll be a great place to expand and add more stuff,
I posted an older image so you didn't see the top left hand exit to the helix. It's in the new image. It exits to the helix after it enters the mountain on top left side. I also left in the top Right hand exit for possible future use.
Yes it will. On the prototype it's, one way in (barge) and one way out, exit to yard/industry. I had to emulate this by keeping 15 or so pieces of rolling stock in the yard at all times and moving out or in 2 to 3 pieces of rolling stock at a time. The circular track go around a circular transfer/storage terminal handles full carloads or less than full car loads In it middle it has an entrance for trucks to enter/exit and pickup/drop-off loads. Building this circular terminal is going to be a challenge to my kit-bashing skills but a fun one. Operations in the barge terminal facility will be fun and interesting and will keep an operator busy for some time.
Also, on the second level (bottom pic), is that all the track work you were going to do there? The reason I ask is that, while it makes the mainline run longer, which is great, there isn't much to do there other then the yard (which doesn't have any yard leads BTW). There's room for a few industries there (something to generate or justify all that traffic created by those great docks). If this is for staging, why not scenic it and add a few industries? On-stage staging could work well here and add some valuable real estate and industries. And what are the four tracks sticking out from the corners of the yard on this level? Switcher pockets?
The second level will be used for future expansion. Right now the yard is just a staging train storage yard. Full cars in empties out, Expand the main line run time, train enters runs to the reversing loop and back out in the opposite direction, sort of a there and back. Yes the four tracks are storage for Locomotives, A train come in and change locos when it goes back out. And since it's 24" lower than the main level, as you say it'll be a great place to expand and add more stuff,
Thanks
Ron
OK, that makes sense. Looks like you've got things in hand.
As to making the pics bigger,.....you have to save them bigger to start with, then when you upload then and post on this site it shrinks them automatically. But if you click on it, it gets bigger.
To make the original bigger just bump the number by the word "Zoom" in the top left corner of the RTS program down (smaller numbers = a bigger pic) and it will be bigger. Then just do a "save as" to my pictures as a bitmap file and then upload and post.
If you do this right you'll get something like this (this is one of the levels of the layout I'm about to start):
That is a great looking layout, a full 10x17, second level. wow. If its not a problem I would like to see the other levels. I followed your instructions and edited my post adding the new image views. They now expand to a viewable size.