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Help Designing a Yard

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BDP
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 106 posts
Posted by BDP on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 10:02 AM

Guys,

Here is a pic of what I am trying to accomplish in my yard design. This is not to scale but shows what I am trying to do and with what turnouts where. If any of you have some better options I am open to those and will definitely check out those links.

Thanks

Brad

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: huizen, 15 miles from Amsterdam
  • 1,484 posts
Posted by Paulus Jas on Wednesday, January 12, 2011 2:58 AM

hi

several ladders

paul

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: western ny
  • 342 posts
Posted by wsdimenna on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 11:52 PM

You may want to look here

 

http://www.housatonicrr.com/yard_des.html

BDP
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 106 posts
Posted by BDP on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 10:57 PM

I laid it on the floor where the layout will be. I mocked up the bench work with electrical tape on the floor and laid out the track there. Trying to simulate 22" curves with flex track was impossible but I think I did a close enough job to realize I am not going to like my yard the way I have it configured now.

I will get a pic up on paper of what I want but probably not the area since the bench work isnt done yet.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 3,576 posts
Posted by Motley on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 10:36 PM

Also might want to post up a photo of the area you had laid out with your turnouts.

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

BDP
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 106 posts
Posted by BDP on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 10:34 PM

Yea I know. Gonna get one up in the morning for you guys to see what I am talking about. Not for sure if what I have down can be doable to suit my needs.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 10:24 PM

Without seeing a diagram it is hard for my tiny brain to get a handle on your situation. However  what I did to gain more yard space was to take the arrival/departure track off one side of the main loop and run them around to the ladder area on the other side where the yard is. I don't think it says anywhere that your A/D tracks can't be curved around the inside ends of the loop. 

Another way I bought more space was using curved turnouts off the mains where they curve, thus saving space for longer straight sidings. Just something to ponder.Cowboy

 

                                                                 Brent

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: On the Banks of the Great Choptank
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Posted by wm3798 on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 10:10 PM

A photo of the situation would be helpful.

Route of the Alpha Jets  www.wmrywesternlines.net

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
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Posted by Texas Zepher on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 8:57 PM

BDP
What I have on my plan now is turnouts right before the yard, the main line and then a siding into and access to the yard. I have #6 turnouts to basically starting the siding for the yards and then 3 #4 turnouts making up the yard and finishing with another #6 to end it.

Why the mix of sizes of turnouts?   Seems that would make the yard tracks at odd angles to one another without curved adjustments off of each one.

What is the purpose of the "yard" in the first place.  Knowing what it is going to be used for can be very helpful in the design.

As the prior poster noted the quickest way to save some space is to do a compound ladder.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 7:11 PM

Have you tried a compound ladder design?  Not sure how it would work, mixing frog #'s, but it might be worth a try.  I have an Atlas track planning book and with all #6's they gain 6 1/2" in length and add one more track in their example.

Don't know how a compound of all #4's would work out.  Since you have the turnouts on hand, and have a little flex track on hand, you may be able to work something out.

Good luck,

Richard 

BDP
  • Member since
    November 2009
  • 106 posts
Help Designing a Yard
Posted by BDP on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 5:58 PM

Well I laid out my turnouts for my yard and I am not to thrilled with the outcome at all. I didnt do a track plan other than on paper, dont have the patience to learn it, and not turning out how I want it to. What I have on my plan now is turnouts right before the yard, the main line and then a siding into and access to the yard. I have #6 turnouts to basically starting the siding for the yards and then 3 #4 turnouts making up the yard and finishing with another #6 to end it. When I do this my last siding in the yard is only 4' long. My layout where the yard is measures 18' and 3'.

If it is possible I would like to have my final siding, off of my #6 to be a little longer if possible. How can I achieve this if at all possible. I am open to suggestions on how to accomplish this. I will try to post a pic of what I have drawn up later on tonight.

Thanks

Brad

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