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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by cuyama I don't see that the doubled crossovers in the lower right hand corner of the first two add anything over just one which would leave more useable track length, but I may just not be seeing what you have in mind.[/quote] Nah, that makes sense. My intention was that they would be 99% engine escape tracks (i.e. the tail only needs to handle an engine) with the option to be part of a large runaround if ever needed. Deleting the lower crossover was something I was considering already. [quote]QUOTE: The third plan is reminiscent of one of the classic small plans, Linn Westcott's "Switchman's Nightmare" [img]http://www.railimages.com/albums/byronhenderson/aaa.gif[/img] [/quote] I started off with Larry Forgard's "Railroading for City Lovers" as published in MR and reprinted in Kalmbach's "48 Top-Notch Track Plans". [IMG]http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/3373GP4NR/9356de93.jpg[/IMG] http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i301/3373GP4NR/9356de93.jpg His layout is 2 x 7 and better represents (I think) a junction than part of a branchline like I wanted to model. He may have been inspired by Westcott. [quote]QUOTE: Generally, I think most people find the "move cars at one industry to reach another industry" situation you have at G tedious in the long run. It might be better to make one wing of a switchback more of a lead to reach the industry at G ... which would look something like the Westcott plan.[/quote] I'm not certain what you are describing here, Byron: Is the problem that (G) holds four spots or is it that (F) has to be clear to switch (G)? Here is some further info that might address your concerns: >There will be one industry on G with one receiving dock (2 cars) and one shipping dock (two cars). Yes, the inner dock will need to be cleared before the outer dock can be pulled, but I have several examples of prototype situations like this (either two spots in line or a spot blocking the lead to a second spur), so I think it would be OK unless you feel it would raise the tedium to an unbearable level. >I'm going to replace the switch at 4-o-clock to the (F) marker with a crossing and put the switch on the track below. This will obviate needing to clear industry (F) to switch (G). A switchback siding is prototypical in several places on on the MBr (as are sidings with two industries and no bypass), so I could go either way so long as it would fit. Now let me take a detour and talk about switchback sidings. . . If I have this straight, the key to a switchback siding is to make each leg long enough such that either leg can be pulled without needing to empty the opposite leg. (I think you show a "negative example" of this on your site, Byron.) If I have my terminology correct, the trailing leg can be as short or long as necessary. The facing leg needs to be long enough to keep in the clear (1) the cars on that leg , plus (2) a little space , plus (3) all the cars in the opposite leg, plus (4) a connected engine. Does that sound about right? [quote]QUOTE: Of the three, I think the bottom feels more like a real railroad, but the lead at the right end, needed to serve everything on the left-hand side of the layout, might still be a little short. Some people would find the repitition of this move less fun over time.[/quote] Yes, a switcher would have to go out onto the main track to switch the left hand spurs, but it would have to venture out to use the runaround in most layouts as well, wouldn't it, so what's the distinction? In any case I can see about making the switching lead longer somehow. Ideally all switches come off a switching lead but my prototype had several spurs directly off the main track so the problem wasn't unknown in real life. Thanks for the ideas and comments, they're always appreciated, KL.
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