SpartanCook1. The train would cross the turnout on the bottom left of the diagram onto the double ended track. 2. It would pull the train fully into this siding. Then the Loco would detach from the cars. 3. That loco would do a run around on the mainline and grab the cars from the opposite side. Then push them into their respective storage tracks?
That would be the "classic" way, yes. The train could arrive from either direction, same process, only difference whether the engine needs to runaround. Somewhere in there, they might stash the caboose somewhere out of the way (if there is one).
Or they can just work from the main if there is no other traffic and they don't need to duck into the siding to let the another train pass.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Basic yard operation is as follows:
At least 4 classification tracks is ideal. That way you have one for through and local for each direction.
Another scenario for a smaller yard that serves local traffic but doesn't have trains originate or terminate there:
This is very basic, but I think it represents the general idea.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
For only one operator and one train, I'm not sure that a separate switcher is required in the Original Poster's concept.
But a switcher could be used, in which case a pocket where the switcher could duck out of the way would be a helpful addition.
AW come on Byron! You gotta have switchers! I love switchers!!
Sorry Kyle - now back to intelligent discussion.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
cuyamaI'm not sure that a separate switcher is required in the Original Poster's concept.
I'm sure it's not, but I tend to assume that everyone thinks like me and wouldn't pass up an excuse for an extra locomotive.
Isn't Spartan modeling the Alaska railroad? From what I've watched on the history channel the road crews make up their own trains, but they always walk away after arrival and leave the breakdown for somebody else (that they never show).
hon30critterAW come on Byron! You gotta have switchers! I love switchers!!
I'm building a layout populated exclusively by switchers, so it's nothing against them!
In a yard with a limited number of tracks (as Kyle is considering), a separate switcher pocket helps keep things from clogging up.
I am modeling alaska and they do not have switchers. But its my railroad so i may have to repaint the one i have My railroad will also connect to Canadian national so i have more variety than SD70MAC locos anyways so i am open to switchers. But i will not be using cabooses. I may get one to sit at the end of one of the yard tracks but I dont like to use them.
I just threw everything together besides the yard. It looks cluttered to me i may need to fix a few things, but would this yard work to service the 4-5 industrys.
I need to make a passing siding for the towns for a passanger train.
Kyle:
OK, now that looks like something is happening!
As far as the yard, you have nice long yard tracks. In fact, I think they might be longer then you need given the length of your spurs. My suggestion would be to add a run-around track parallel to the yard ladder. That will shorten the yard tracks a bit but I think you would find the yard more flexible with the run-around. It would also reduce the 'S' curve that you currently have going into the yard ladder by adding a straight section (i.e. the through route of the turnout that feeds the run-around) before you get to the ladder. That might be helpful when you are backing trains into the yard.
Don't quote me on that however. I have been wrong before, maybe more times than I have been right! Hopefully Byron will offer his opinion.
You are on a roll! Keep it up!
I think the yard is an improvement, for sure. As Dave noted, there is an S-curve leading into the yard that could prove problematic. Adding a length of straight track is the most straightforward solution, but makes the yard shorter. Another is flipping the initial turnout as shown below.
This routes the mainline through the diverging path of the turnout, which is rare on real-life railroads. But if you use a #6 or larger turnout there, it wouldn’t be a problem given your minimum radius.
For a single operator, no separate switchers, and no cabooses, I'm not sure that the added runaround Dave mentions is worth the amount that it would shorten the yard. But it’s often a good idea under other circumstances.
Good luck with your layout.
cuyamaflipping the initial turnout
Well Duh! Byron, you have to stop embarrassing us with these simple and obvious solutions.
Seriously, I would have thought of that....eventually....maybe five or ten years from now.
cuyamaFor a single operator, no separate switchers, and no cabooses, I'm not sure that the added runaround Dave mentions is worth the amount that it would shorten the yard.
What came to mind was a way to accomplish two things at once. First, put a straight section into the middle of the 'S' curve, and secondly to add some flexibility to the yard. However, I was forgetting the objective of keeping the yard operation as simple as possible. Flipping the turnout is a much better solution.
Hello All,
I have been MIA for awhile and not able to work on my trackplan with the birth of my first child. Now that mom and baby are settled into a routine I had the oppurtunity to lower my benchwork in tewo sections and am working on cutting 2 inch foam to make it flush with the other benchwork. This is where i will eventually cut my rivers out of, but until i get the bridges built it will just be a foam bridge.
I think i am getting very close to my end goal. You all have been so helpful in the past please let me know if you see anything wrong i didnt notice. All curves are 26+ in. The one thing i thought was weird is the town in the lower right has one spur that i would like to use as both a passanger station and a spot to unload boxcars. Is this doable?
Thanks
SpartanCook The one thing i thought was weird is the town in the lower right has one spur that i would like to use as both a passanger station and a spot to unload boxcars.
That wouldn't be typical for any real railroad that I know of. More likely the passenger trains would just stop on the mainline or siding -- and that is where the passenger station would be located.
Yeah that's what I thought, are there any railroads were they have stations on curves like the situation I am in? I guess it wouldn't be too odd, as this town is supposed to be roughly talkeetna and they don't have a platform at all you just step down on to the pavement
SpartanCookare there any railroads were they have stations on curves like the situation I am in?
Yes, quite a few. I have an upcoming article in MRP on a layout that includes Harpers Ferry, where the Amtak and MARC trains stop at a (gently) curved platform.
Well it makes me feel a little better that there are other instances where passanger trains stop on curved platforms. On my next layout in around 10 years I will have more room to model these acurately. But then I will run into the issue of trying to model the Alaskan Railroad and Canadian National all the way into the US. It is going to be quite large. But that is a dream for another day.
Thanks everyone for the help on the layout design. My next few posts should be photos of completing sections of the track laying!
Well i have had some time in the mornings before i leave for work that i have invested down in the train room. I have two sections where a river will cross the layout that i dropped down 2 inches and then brought back flush with the benchwork. This way i can lay my mainline down and get to start running trains again before i have to make and install the bridges. I will just cut my rivers down into the foam when the bridges are ready. Below are the photos of the foam sections and one close up of the edge of one area of foam butting up with my benchwork that is off.
Any Ideas to fix this? my mainline is going to have to run over this area and i need to level it out into a small grade. The bottom picture shows the area. The lip is 1/4 in at the worst spot, so i will have to put in a one foot grading area to smooth it out? whats the best way to do this? Anyone have experience fixing an issue like this before?
Spartan
Well it's been a long time since I posted on this layout construction topic. To give an update I have completed the mainline and most of the yard. I need to still finish the engine servicing area then it will be on to putting in scenery around the yard.
I have one question for you all? When putting in scenery what order do you go in? My idea was to paint the plywood, sprinkle on turf as I go. Then ballast the yard, then put in ground cover for bushes and weeds.
is this a good order?
Here is an update with some photos of the yard. I currently have the yard and the first loop of the mainline completed.
Here is a shot from the first turnout of the yard. I am still waiting on turnouts and flex to finish the engine servicing area that will come off the roadbed
Here is a shot from the other side where you can see the engine house i picked up from Menards
Here is the menards building up close. I will need to blend in the grass with the scenary i put down around the yard but I like the way it looks.
The last thing i have worked on was picking up some walthers track bumpers from my LHS along with a rust colored paint to place at the end of my yard tracks.
The last track i have to install on the yard i was waiting on getting some insulated rail joiners. I am going to but my lighted proto passanger cars on this track and dont want them lighted all the time, so i will set this track up with a switch to turn track power on and off.
And upon looking at these pictures i have fixed the two tracks in the yard that were not straight. Its always helpful to look at these pics to review my work.
Next i will paint in between the yard tracks gray and work on ballasting and other scenary in this area.
Lookin' good dude!
I wasn't going to comment on the slightly wiggly track. I figured you would see that yourself pretty quickly, which you did.
Well it has been awhile without an update so i figured i would try to start posting some again.
I added a 3D printed bridge that my Co-OP at work printed for me and cut out the area for the creek to flow under.
Continuing on the mainline we come to the most recently added track section. 2 Peco large radius turnouts are used in the passing siding to allow access to the branchline.
After i get some hills installed by the bridge i will be raising the coal mine up around 5 inches to be on a hill in the corner of the layout. The Oil tanks will stay at the current height and will have an oil loadout platform. These were 3D printed as well.
From here we head around the curve into the yard. I have installed the risers of the branchline that lead up to the coal mine. This will turn into a mountain to try to hide the sump and radon pipes
In the background you can find the inclines that lead up and down from the mountains.
Here is the 2 inch high area that is above the cutout that will turn into the small town
The mainline curves 180 degrees back to the 3D bridge that started. I will be doing plaster cloth hills this weekend and i will post more when they are complete
I finished up some scenary around the bridge. Added plaster cloth to make the hills.
This is on the other side of the bridge
Now i am working on laying the track that will go under the coal mine. There will be access to this from removeable fascia.