Hi
Using Atlas Right Track (finally getting the hang of it, annoying) I worked at a preliminary version of an HO module capturing the essence of Union Station in Springfield Mass. [link to background web page]
Track spacing is either 2 inches or station platform (more like 3"); I used Atlas No.6 Custom-Line switches with flex track to connect adjacent track. Minimum radius works out above 26 inches everywhere. It's planned for flush doors (either 24x80 or 30x80) and I've tried to keep the breaks in decent places except for the double track curve to the south (or bottom); hoping that isn't a problem with the flex track (will lay it across the gap and cut it if I ever have to move). I saved a PDF of the Right Track diagram [here] (also on background web page).
I would appreciate some comments, especially looking for trouble points with all the curves and S-curves and adjacent cross-overs.
Thanks in advance
Doc
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
Looks good but maybe gain more room in front of the platforms if you make a yard ladder on the right hand side. Are you in a module club? Is there going to be a main line around the station and freight house?
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
"Are you in a module club? "
No, I'm not affiliated with a club; I call it a module since that is the approach I'm using to design then build the model RR. Everything will be on (large, door sized) modules including the corners as needed.
"Is there going to be a main line around the station and freight house?"
I'm trying to keep with the original prototype, the main line is the upper most track with a passing track just below it. The bottom four tracks come off a station lead. Amtrak uses the bottom three, while CSX and regionals use the top two. Amtrak sometime uses number 4 (Union Station IS the regional Amtrak station).
hi doc
Basicaly you have to give far more information. May be you could draw a schematic were all the tracks are going to. And tell us about the way trains are using the station. Which trains are terminating in Sfd, which are going through, etc.
Your platforms are pretty short, one is only three feet, enough for three coaches; but call it a train? Again lack of information.
And no service tracks for a freighthouse, LCL, postoffice or diners. Nor engine pockets or a coachyard.
I am more accustomed to Europian stations; using double-slip-switches in stead of double and even tripple S-curves can be an option. At the same time they are space savers and can make your tracks in the station longer.
And you still have to explain about the overall operational plan you'll have. How many trains? At which times? And in which era? Where are they going to?
Have fun and keep smiling
Paul
The layout is to be fairly contemporary, in the post Conrail era. My current thinking is that the mainline and adjacent track (top of picture) will loop around to the other side of the partition and form part of an oval connecting with the "non-functional track. This is where I plan to have some staging, town and a few industries. A set of cross-overs will allow me for some continuous run (not an operations person, per se). The left (west end) will lead to additional layout for Enfield and Windsor.
The station plan is limited by the room length that I have (18.5 feet) with accommodation for access aisles. It would be a lot easier in N-scale, but I have too much committed to HO scale at this point. If I lengthen the station platforms, the curves between adjacent tracks drop below 20 inch radius.
Is there a way to shorten things up by not using conventional switches? (someone mentioned slip switches???)
Well, slip switches are nice if you can manage to get them to work correctly. Also, are you using code 100 or code 83? There is the matter of cost. The Walthers code 83 slip switch is $85 list. The Shinohara code 100 slip switch is a little less expensive, I think around $65. And if you're trying to emulate the Springfield track layout, I don't think I saw any slip switches anyway.
As far as track length, I believe that most of the contemporary traffic through Springfield these days are those commuters to Hartford. They're not much longer than 3 cars anyway, are they?
Looking at your track plan, the one thing I might be inclined to change would be to reverse the crossovers that connect the two tracks across the top of the plan. As it stands right now, a train entering from the top right cannot access the platform on the second track. Also, a train entering from the (non-functioning) upper left can also only access the first track platform. So if you had, for example, a set of RDCs waiting with passengers on the first track for a meet with a train from upper right or upper left, you would have to move the RDCs before allowing the other train to enter the station.
You have no tail room on the right side to make the double ended tracks effective. Without tail room, you might as well make the tracks stub ended.
Numbering the tracks from top to bottom 1 to 6, put the right switch of track 4 on the lead on the right side.
Put a crossover between track 4 and 5 on the left side (so you go straight into track 4).
Put a switch to track 5 on the left lead.
Move the crossover to the stup track to the extreme right end of track 6.
That will maximize the platform sizes.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
maxmanAs far as track length, I believe that most of the contemporary traffic through Springfield these days are those commuters to Hartford. They're not much longer than 3 cars anyway, are they?
The ones I saw on the train to Boston (via Palmer) the day I took my photos were 5 or 6 cars, but I only have Amtrak cars, so kind of moot.
"Looking at your track plan, the one thing I might be inclined to change would be to reverse the crossovers that connect the two tracks across the top of the plan. "
As far as operations are concerned, west bound freight goes either across the CT River (to the major yard in West Springfield) or south into Connecticut.
Amtrak east bound trains use the bottom track (6); west/southbound trains use tracks 3 or 4. Track 5 is occupied with a "semi-permanent set of two passenger cars). I assume tracks 5 or 6 can accommodate Amtrak trains heading west to Albany.
Selective compression, trying to stay true to prototype and lack of space has it's price. I have considered dropping the lowest platform and it's adjacent track to allow slicing 8 inches or so off of the width of the "module" and simplifying the track plan a bit.