Yard Plan, Suggestions and Comments Welcome

[gandydancer19]

Use the 12 degree crossing to simulate the DS in the RTS program if you are using #4 turnouts.  Peco makes a nice DS.  Whatever DS you get, get most of the turnouts for the yard throat and leads so you can lay it out full size before you comit to fastening things down.  The DS also has to match the turnouts.  If you use #6 TOs, use a #6 DS.  Same with #4s.  I am using the Peco 12 degree DS which matches up to #4 TOs.

[OKrlroads]

Thanks for the replys!

Mark, great ideas, appreciate the help and suggestions. Wasn't shure about the double slip working. Using RTS for the track plan and its not in Atlas's track products. May be a good reason to try building own trackwork. Never stop learning new things in this hobby do you! LOL

Thanks again.

[markpierce]

While waiting for several books on yard design and operations to come in the mail, worked up a plan fitting into the space I have coming available soon. So here it is for everbody to look over. Welcome suggestions, ideas, pointing out errors, ect.

 

A very workable plan.  Here are suggestions for "improvement."

1.  Simplify the trackage where the yard lead and A/D tracks meet.  The ladder track should have a "straight" shot toward the main.  Eliminate the cross-over joining the two A/D tracks and join them with a single, right-handed turnout from the inside (from the perspective of the operator/aisle space) A/D track.  Use a double-slip switch where the inside A/D track meets the ladder track.  Keep the locomotive pocket.

2.  Have service tracks for the engines.  Get rid of the large three-track locomotive-shop building (not an effective use of space) and model a two-track, engine-service area there (fuel, sand, etc.)  Locos can also be stored there between use.  Move the inside third track a little further away from the other two tracks and place an open-sided structure over it for making minor locomotive repairs.

3.  Add some yard-related facilities that will mostly be universal "industries."  (A.)  Add a spur for delivering products needed for locomotive servicing and repair.  (B.) Make one of the two double-ended spurs you designated for caboose and locomotive storage (you won't need locomotive storage there if you follow suggestion 2) into a weight-scale track.  (C.)  Add a couple of spurs at the left end of the yard for (i) car cleaning and (ii) car repair. 

Mark

 

[tomikawaTT]

I don't think you need those books on yard design!

I especially like the switcher pocket, and the extra crossover so the switcher can get at a newly-arrived (or about to depart) train on the A/D track closest to the classification stubs without a switchback move.

The extra length of the bottommost track is the logical place to park stored engines.  That way, you can have two 'first in/first out' caboose tracks.

All in all, a very operable plan.  I hope I can do as well in about the same amount of space but with a busy passenger station included.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[Autobus Prime]

O:

It looks like a great yard, actually.  You seem to have thought of everything, although somebody with more skill than I have might point stuff out.  But it looks like you have everything there.  What's that short stub track at upper right, though? Switcher pocket? Place to store MW equipment?

[gandydancer19]

It looks like you have a good start there.  I am not a prototype modeler so I would have to check the books to be sure also, but like I said, it looks good to me from what I remember being in the reference material I have.

[OKrlroads]

While waiting for several books on yard design and operations to come in the mail, worked up a plan fitting into the space I have coming available soon. So here it is for everbody to look over. Welcome suggestions, ideas, pointing out errors, ect.

Area available along wall is 19', planned benchwork to be 24" to 30" deep. Room is 8' across.

 

Thanks for looking!