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New Layout Need Input

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  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 89 posts
Posted by damigg on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 5:50 PM

I am at a loss. Does anyone make house calls?  Geeked. I have been trying things and it seems for every step I take forword I take 4 back. I just want to get it right the first time. And yes I was planing on a duck under at the lower left of the layout. But I am open to some redesign.

You guys are fantastic thsnks for the great input.

Duane

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 7,486 posts
Posted by ndbprr on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:48 PM
Where is the room entrance and how do you forsee getting to the center? Duck unders get old as we do.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:39 PM

rrebell

Take out the blob, you do not have enough walkway, need at least 30".

 

I agree. It doesn't add anything and looks almost like an afterthought. With a little finagling you can incorporate the siding into the straightened space.

Joe 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:18 PM

Take out the blob, you do not have enough walkway, need at least 30".

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:02 PM

Duane,

First, is this the layout plan?

BT&W HO Railroad photo BTampW.jpg

Here are some ideas:

Yes, I know the drawings are rudimentary, at best, but that's the best I could do using Paint. I agree with an earlier post to make the area to the right of the yard into a passenger area--depot, house track, coach yard, etc. I did not try to draw anything there.

The green line in the upper right hand corder re-routes the main line to connect wth the sixth track from the left. You could even move it one more track to the right giving you a bit less space for the passenger stuff but more switching/classification yard.

The long blue line at the top lengthens the yard's North (?) drill track. The long blue line at the bottom extends the South (?) yard drill track. Its connection to the main is moved left.

As for the bulb in the middle it seems to me it has little purpose or ointerest. I suggest making it more rectangular with a few stub tracks that could either lead to industries (ie an industrial park) or be made into another yard. In corporating a wye into that provides some operational interest by turning trains.

Good luck! Let us know what you come up with.

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 89 posts
Posted by damigg on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:44 AM

Thank you all for the quick ideas! I will give all the changes a go I work better with pictures but I do understand. I get the idea about a station at the yard but can't seem to get it. As I make changes I will re post.

Again Thanks for all the cool ideas I need them

Duane

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
  • 2,217 posts
Posted by John Busby on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 4:08 AM

Hi Duane

Get rid of the line cutting across the yard to loco it wil be a @$#%^&^%$*&^$#@!!!! and badly interfere with yard operations.

Realign and conect the lower left siding into the yard throat so it forms a sort of loop rotate loco and conect it into the newly created loop like arangement.

If you can rearange the whole left hand lower corner there apears to be a lot of wasted space that would be better used to create a rail served industrial area that could provide a lot of extra operational interest.

Looks to me like you can have another passenger stop at the top of the layout at least I asume thats what the building at middle bottom is.

I know it's a bit more than you asked for

but its my thought's on your plan.

regards John

 

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 12:33 AM

I would not have the turntable lead cutting across the yard.  You have to keep all the crossovers clear to get to the turntable and back.  This will interfere with yard switching.

Your mainline runs right through the middle of the yard.

I suggest you change the yard tracks on the right half to a passenger station with a passing track.

I also suggest you extend the tail track on the upper left under the bridge and connect to your mainline so it can be a switching lead.

Add a turnout to the ladder on the upper left to access the turntable.

I highly recommend you get a copy of John Armstrong's book Track Planning for Realistic Operation .  This is the best book to read before track planning.

Good luck

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    August 2014
  • From: CO
  • 265 posts
Posted by pt714 on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 11:07 PM

How are you planning to get in/out of the middle?

 

P

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 7:36 PM

Our large HO scale layout does not have a single nail in it anywhere -- drywall screws are the modern way to go.

If you change your mind about any aspect of the layout and want to change it, drywall screws are much easier to remove than nails.

 

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 89 posts
New Layout Need Input
Posted by damigg on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 5:24 PM

Hi All

After dealing with my wife's health issues I am able to get back to trains again. I have most of this layed out and ready to star gluing and nailing things down. The only thing i havent got quite figured out is the yard and locomotive area. I just want to make sure that I am going in the right direction. Before I glue it down.

Thanks tons again for all the wonderfull help.

Duane

BT&W RR

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