I added this posting to my other subject thread dealing with just the steel mill scene, but thought for continuity I should also add it to this,... my full scale planning as well,....
I've come to the conclusion that I just can't hope to give the real steel industry ANY chance of a fair representation,...I just don't have the real estate on my small layout. So even while I have a number of the Walther's steel kits (already built and weathered by another modeler), I must make a selection of what I can use.
Here is portion of the layout we are talking about,...the freight yard scene down to the steel mill, etc
Naturally the iconic blast furnace must be included. I've located this along the inner edge of the shelf/deck just to the left of the entrance to the shed.
On the aisle side I've provided a little bit of a set back from the very edge by including 2 tracks for slag cars, bottle cars, etc. On the opposite side I've provided for two tracks to feed the blast furnace with its raw materials including coke, limestone, ore, scrape, etc. I could not get those 'feeding tracks' out of the other end of the blast furnace (my yard end), so I thought why not just load them up with a few representative loaded cars and make it look like they were fed in from the other end,...the mirrored end.
In both cases these tracks will appear to be more extensive and extend into the backdrop due to the mirror that I will place at the rear of the blast furnace. This mirror will not only make those tracks appear to be much more extensive, but will also make it appear that I have TWO blast furnace in a row. It will also conveniently hide the double mainline tracks behind it.
The double track bascule bridge across the shed's entrance, just behind my blast furnace and off to one side should also contribute to the 'industrial image' of a steel mill along a waterway.
In the end we need some product out of the steel mill. The rolling mill will be my solution. We have lots of freight cars available that are carrying rolls of steel, steel pipe, steel plate, etc, etc. I'll utilize the Walthers kit as well, likely fashioned up something like this one that appeared on the York model rr club layout I visited long ago,....
Too bad I can't make the rolling mill longer, but I need to keep the building short, and not too big, so I can get those 5 five tracks (2 around the sides, 3 inner ones) on the ends of the building to neck down to 3 of the yard tracks.
One of those tracks also feeds a 'fabricator' of steel parts,...that is represented by the 'rail rebuilder kit' from Walthers with the addition of a outdoors overhead crane out front. This structure could alternately be that Vulcan manufacturing kit from Walthers. I just happen to run across this image and thought it added to the 'industrial image' I'm trying to establish there.
Brian
My Layout Plan
Interesting new Plan Consideration
New Thoughts, Coffin Corner, Freight Yard
Another brief day today as football playoffs and grilled dinner had to be included. I had wanted to roll up this latest dwg sitting on my outdoor dwg table, so I cut get busy cutting some more metal frame work for the remaining portions of the shed. But as I uncovered it from its dew protective cover I decided to have another go at how I might lay it out,...again.
First the portion of the layout we are talking about,...the freight yard scene down to the steel mill, etc
previously posted by me.... First I drew in the two concentric mainlines in pencil. This first image would be as one was looking towards that lower corner from Balt city corner. The track along the edge (wall, right edge of photo) would be the track that is bringing the trains up from the helix/staging level. It eventually joins that outer mainline via a left hand med size Peco into a double curved Peco (30”-60”r) on the mainline (makes for pretty broad curves). Next inboard are the 2 mainlines with a Shinohara double crossover included there. This double crossover will provide for reversing trains around on the layout's mainlines. It will also provide for getting big steam engines from the roundhouse area over to head up certain trains brought up topsides from the staging tracks by diesel workhorses. (possible that many of the steamers will NOT have to drag their trains up the helix from staging, but rather will be able to join their consist topsides). There may be a spur off of that helix service track to something in that coffin corner outside of the big curves. I threw in some sample trackage, ….just in case?
previously posted by me.... First I drew in the two concentric mainlines in pencil.
This first image would be as one was looking towards that lower corner from Balt city corner. The track along the edge (wall, right edge of photo) would be the track that is bringing the trains up from the helix/staging level. It eventually joins that outer mainline via a left hand med size Peco into a double curved Peco (30”-60”r) on the mainline (makes for pretty broad curves).
Next inboard are the 2 mainlines with a Shinohara double crossover included there. This double crossover will provide for reversing trains around on the layout's mainlines. It will also provide for getting big steam engines from the roundhouse area over to head up certain trains brought up topsides from the staging tracks by diesel workhorses. (possible that many of the steamers will NOT have to drag their trains up the helix from staging, but rather will be able to join their consist topsides).
There may be a spur off of that helix service track to something in that coffin corner outside of the big curves. I threw in some sample trackage, ….just in case?
As Ken has posted previously, there could be problems reaching those locos stalled/disabled over in that service building I had proposed for the coffin corner,...
So I have moved that back to the lower portion of the freight yard.
This building will have to be readily removable (simply lift up) such that those multiple turnouts behind it are reachable in events of derailments. I don't think that is much of a problem considering its small footprint and rigid potential.
I have still maintained that additional trackage over in that coffin corner. My thoughts are that this could be a parking area for the 'dedicated diesel engines' I might employ to bring trains up from staging. I am really considering such an idea of NOT requiring my multiple number of steam engines to go down/up thru the helix to staging below. Pull the trains up via diesel, then make their hook up to steam up top there where they are entering the mainlines.
????
modifications, ...to be continued
rrinker Another way, if you have the room, is to have 2 tracks on one side - freight houses often operated with multiple parallel tracks on one side of the building, bridge plates were laid from car to car to facilitate pulling the goods out of cars on tracks futher from the building. Cars had to be spotted with care, so that their doors lined up. So that may be a way to get 2 tracks in the limited space - instead of straddling the building, put them both on the same side.
Another way, if you have the room, is to have 2 tracks on one side - freight houses often operated with multiple parallel tracks on one side of the building, bridge plates were laid from car to car to facilitate pulling the goods out of cars on tracks futher from the building. Cars had to be spotted with care, so that their doors lined up. So that may be a way to get 2 tracks in the limited space - instead of straddling the building, put them both on the same side.
That's interesting, the use of bridging plates between cars. I had not realized that.
Perhaps I could still have tracks down both sides of the building,...just make those truck loading doors on the original model be box car loading doors. Then make the truck loading ramp across the back of the building full width for several trucks.
There is no way I could use those existing truck doors (for truck loading) with the close proximity of the kilns. Of course those truck loading door openings could also be 'bridged' to the box cars.
But bottom line is that back side face of the terminal will NOT be seen at all from any operator on this layout plan, so no need to worry about the tracks down both sides. At the moment I am not to interested in changing it.
Water Street Freight Terminal is pretty much intended to be used as seen in the second picture - track on one side, trucks on the other. of course, one can always repurpose structures to use how they see fit, tracks on both sides and it could be something other than a simple freight terminal.
ANother way, if you have the room, is to have 2 tracks on one side - freight houses often operated with multiple parallel tracks on one side of the building, bridge plates were laid from car to car to facilitate pulling the goods out of cars on tracks futher from the building. Cars had to be spotted with care, so that their doors lined up. So that may be a way to get 2 tracks in the limited space - instead of straddling the building, put them both on the same side.
http://www.readingrailroad.org/gallery/vignettes1/rdg_gallery_vig1g.html
On the right side of this picture you can see rows of box cars lines up at the Reading freight terminal alongside the old Outer Station (in the center of the wye of tracks on the left).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Brick Factory Template problemKen Rice first brought up the problem with my paper template of my proposed brick factory building,.....
To the left of that scene there is the brick factory with 2 tracks down either side, then the 4 kilns with their smoke stacks. The footprint for the factory is that of the Walther's Water Street Freight Terminal.
Ken Rich wrote: Brian, that paper water street warehouse cutout you have look like there is negative clearance between it and the two tracks. It looks to me like you have the ends of the ties against the bricks of the office part of the building, leaving off the freight platforms on both sides, and with the roof overhang going over the track. The walthers pic seems to just show the roof over the freight platform that extends down the whole length of the warehouse and office? I must be missing something?
Brian responded: I think you are correct Ken. I will have to look into this possible mistake of mine. May just have to go down to only a single track on one side of the building,....bummer.
Vince added: Track on one side, truck loading/unloading on the other side.
Use Only a Single Track Suggestion: That may just be the solution. I had thought it it would be nice to have 2 so raw materials could easily reach storage tracks at rear of building,...but perhaps that is not to be.
As I said before I was unsure of the exact footprint of that building and its trackage access, and I have yet to locate my actual structure kit to look at the instructions. BUT I did manage to find a number of more helpful images via Bing search.
Had a few moments today to play around with an idea for the coffin corner there on the left...
As mentioned before I was able to fit the Madusa cement structure into the very corner on the right hand side. I've been wondering what I might fit into that left hand corner? There are a few pencil scribbles on that tracing paper for one idea I might consider,...a diesel engine maintenance building (likely just cut off front half of the structure), and several tracks for parked diesels waiting for service. This corner might also have some mirrors behind it to make this building and the number of locos look more massive.
Perhaps locate it over in the freight yard area, rather than that back corner?
Now over to the steel mill portion of that corner of the layout. I really don't know what I will finally do here, but here is my newest idea. I will NOT utilize the electric furnace, but basically stick with the blast furnace and rolling mill, and rearranged thusly.
Here is how I quickly laid out the track there.
My basic condensed version assumes the Rolling Mill assumes two roles,...accepts molten metal from the blast furnace, and turns it into basic shapes it ships out on the other end??
NOTE: I think that mirror I show at the end of the blast furnace should make that scene appear much deeper,...and hide the dble mainline behind it.??
Left Hand Corner Mock Up
Today I only had a very short time to play around with the full scale planning. I chose to look at the track plan of the lower left corner of the shed,....down from the freight yard, and containing the steel mill.
First I drew in the two concentric mainlines in pencil. They are slightly different than the right hand corner, so I couldn't use my mirror image tracing idea. They are the same 30” outer radius, 29” inner radius as the other side, but they are connected to the 2 mainlines that are closer together than the other side (2" CL vs 2.5"CL).
Next inboard are the 2 mainlines with a Shinohara double crossover included there. This double crossover will provide for reversing trains around on the layout's mainlines. It will also provide for getting big steam engines from the roundtable area over to head up certain trains brought up topsides from the staging tracks by diesel workhorses. (possible that many of the steamers will NOT have to drag their trains up the helix from staging, but rather will be able to join their consist topsides).
There is another Peco double curve on the inner mainline that allows diesel engines that have refueled/serviced on those 2 inner freight yard tracks to enter back into the mainlines.
railandsail riogrande5761 It looks like you aren't in any hurry to get a layout up and running . But some have more fun in the design and construction process - that appears to be your thing. I was able to mock things up as I built and laid track last time and it seemed to work well and getting the track down took less time. Actually I'm a little disappointed in my 'construction speed' as well. I was beginning to get discouraged with my multiple alterations and scale dwgs of same. Laying it out full scale has been a big help to help me visualize what might really be possible. Plus as of late I think I have committed to certain locations getting certain 'scenes',...now its just refineing them.Like you were able to mock it up as you bulit it, I am trying to mock it up on full size paper that I hope to help make laying the track that much faster and less demanding to rearrange.I'll already run into 2 problems that might have been avoided by proper planning,...both involved locations of electrical outlets on the walls. I hope NOT to cut the plywood decks of my layout incorrectly. I have already discovered I can cut the depth of my freight yard deck by 1.5 inches and make that aisle a little bit wider......Planning
riogrande5761 It looks like you aren't in any hurry to get a layout up and running . But some have more fun in the design and construction process - that appears to be your thing. I was able to mock things up as I built and laid track last time and it seemed to work well and getting the track down took less time.
It looks like you aren't in any hurry to get a layout up and running . But some have more fun in the design and construction process - that appears to be your thing.
I was able to mock things up as I built and laid track last time and it seemed to work well and getting the track down took less time.
Actually I'm a little disappointed in my 'construction speed' as well. I was beginning to get discouraged with my multiple alterations and scale dwgs of same.
Laying it out full scale has been a big help to help me visualize what might really be possible. Plus as of late I think I have committed to certain locations getting certain 'scenes',...now its just refineing them.Like you were able to mock it up as you bulit it, I am trying to mock it up on full size paper that I hope to help make laying the track that much faster and less demanding to rearrange.I'll already run into 2 problems that might have been avoided by proper planning,...both involved locations of electrical outlets on the walls. I hope NOT to cut the plywood decks of my layout incorrectly. I have already discovered I can cut the depth of my freight yard deck by 1.5 inches and make that aisle a little bit wider......Planning
Visualizing things in real scale certainly helps to see how things will look and fit, and that can certainly be comforting. I don't know how much time it will save since fitting and adjusting things requires rearranging track no matter if its a paper template or real track laying. You might add time if those paper templates are laid with slight kinks from piece to piece.
When you get to track laying, another thing to consider is how evenly you trim track. Its easy to get one rail slightly shorter than the other. That small gap can create small kinks if closed, or may take several trims, or soldering the gap. So your final lay will hardly ever be precisely on center the first time, unless you're a wizard at track trimming. You certainly don't want to trim a curved turnout or piece of specialty track too short.
With the final arrangement, you might have more room for error if there was one less yard and/or staging tracks, if it doesn't mess up your operating plan.
Waste is always bad, but cutting plywood incorrectly means simply getting another piece of plywood and having the original piece available for some other project. Also, you can always add a 1 x board on the edge if you need a bit more width along a straight edge.
- Douglas
Today I made the tracing of the staging tracks in that corner of the room to the right of the entrance to the shed. As mentioned before I now have 6 staging tracks down each side. When they arrive at the entrance to the shed I have decided to only have the 3 outer tracks pass over a bridge to make an entire loop of the room. The next 2 tracks inboard will make the turn at this end, but end just prior to the 36 wide entrance. The most inner track will end in a straight manner.
That staging yard tracing can be flipped over and used as a pattern for the other opposite corner on the left hand side.
A word about my bridge across the entrance might be in order here. The 'bridge' will be a rectangular framed structure that will be hinged around a bar across its upper edge that's mounted to the inner shed wall above the door. This rectangular frame will pivot about that bar such as to swing up towards the ceiling and get hooked there for clearing the doorway. All three bridges, upper level, main level, and staging level will be built into this rectangular frame. Of course the upper 2 are 'fake bridges', of different style and set against their own individual backdrops. Its all mounted on one frame that pivots up to the ceiling with entering and leaving the train shed. Both of the upper bridges are double tracked for their 2 mainlines. The staging track bridge will be 3 tracks wide and camouflaged somehow
It's what you feel comfortable with. Sometimes paralysis of analysis can set in and definitely slow things down. In your case you've got a small space and are trying to squeeze in every drop of operation and storage that can possibly be done; that does make it a challenge.
I've been disappointed with how long it's been taking to get my basement finished so I can start layout construction. Unfortunately there have been a lot of time consuming projects during this calendar year and expect they will continue but wife has made it a priority now to get the basement finishing moving along now.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Tracing Copies of Tracks
As I mentioned before this full size dwg has BOTH the track plans for the main deck and the staging deck drawn on it ( I didn't feel that I needed two separate 'originals' for this corner).
Now I wish to make the separate copies I'd like to have to actually utilize to lay the track. I decided to use 'tracing paper' to make these copies. The first images shown here are tracings of the 2 mainline curves and the turnout leading off to that siding along the sidewall.
This dwg can then be flipped over to provide a pattern for the same curves that will appear on the opposite corner across the entrance. Over in that corner (down from the freight yard and behind the steel mill), there will be the same 2 mainline curves, with an identical 'siding' along the wall being the track that leads to the helix, and subsequently down to staging. Nice that these 2 sides became mirror images.
Prior to my full scale drawings project I likely would not have considered this scene as possible. That's part of the reason I find this exercise so much fun. I actually feel like I am advancing with my overall layout plan, rather than stalled in the scale dwg mode.
Next I will be making tracings of the underlying staging tracks in that corner, and I will be able to flip that dwg over and use it as a track laying pattern for the opposite side staging deck as well.
It looks like you aren't in any hurry to get a layout up and running . But some have more fun in the design and construction process - that appears to be your thing. Me, I've been in situations most of my life where I never got a layout actually up and scenic'd so I don't think Ican be bothered with a full sized mock-up on paper. I was able to mock things up as I built and laid track last time and it seemed to work well and getting the track down took less time. Different strokes for different folks. Some here are probably learning from the extended dog and pony show!
Brian,
Nice work on the paper templates. They seem to continue helping you. Other forms of assistance you might consider are using either the Atlas or other free software tools to make your layout. There is a learning curve, but by following the tutorials, you should be fine.
Big Paper Plans/Dwgs
Some have voiced concerns with handling BIG paper templates. well yes if you were trying to template the entire layout in one shot. But I am working with sections and spec corners, scenes, etc.
So here are a few shots of some of my full size templates rolled up to get them off of the 4x8 foot 'drawing table' in my carport.
Then just roll it out on the board,...fast and easy...4' wide roll, approx 8' foot long, or shorter if desired.... (my 'table' sits on an old workbench, with casters, I acquired from a garage sale of a remodeling contractor)
Brian said he isn't using cork in a lot of places, only the main line.
So there isn't much need to draw a center line, IMO, unless he wants to also mark a center line on the top of the track to ensure both lines align within the few millimeters he appears to be concerned about.
I could be wrong, but I always thought centerlines were for strictly aligning two haves of roadbed since they must be split to form a curve. Since the first step would be to lay roadbed, if you're going to use it, the center line puts the roadbed on the spot where the track will eventually go.
As a spin off from the pin wheel comment earlier, you could use the pinwheel to mark a location then pull up the paper before laying cork.
In an older layout I built, I drew up my track centerline (pencil on plywood) then used that line as my guide to lay down the cork (split on centerline). In your case, you could use the pin wheel to mark your centerline onto your base material then pull up the paper then lay your cork according to the pattern created by the pin wheel.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
Waterfront, Brick Factory, Cement Silo
This mockup works on the lower right hand corner of the train shed (just to the right of the entrance way). My waterfront scene had already been chosen to be located here, and is designated by the big irregular shaped black marker pen lines on the right of this photo (and there is a small size print out of the scene taped in the middle of that blob)
Viewed from the opposite end, you will see that I have managed to put a 'Medusa Cement' structure on its own siding in the very corner of the shed.
The two heavy black lines are the twin mainlines making the curve thru the corner of the main deck. They are 29" and 30" radius curves.
More difficult to see are the penciled in lines that define the tracks of the staging level that is just below this main deck. I have actually mapped out both the main deck tracks & the staging level tracks in this corner of the shed, .....all on one piece of paper. I will make additional tracings of these mainlines & staging tracks that will translate over to the other corner (left hand side) of the shed. BTW, only the 'outer 3 of the staging tracks will be rigged to cross the bridge across the entrance way. The other 3 staging tracks end on either side of the layout.
What I found interesting when I was drawing these curves is I did not have to use the same common point of radius generation, and thus was able to utilize a few larger radius curves than originally contemplated, yet still have generous clearance between the tracks of the curves. No radius in this area is less than xxx inches.
The track on the very left of this photo feeds a long siding that eventually curves around into the peninsula, ...(and of course it feeds Madusa cement). The next two tracks in are the mainlines which will then start to rise towards the end of the shed to clear that siding track that ducks back under the mainlines to go into the peninsula area.
The Y switch over on the right might be changed to something else. Right now it serves to provide a coal car for the loading/unloading of the coal barge in the harbor. Its other leg goes down the one side of the brick factory, and will likely be sort of 'road flush' so trucks can drive over it.
The brick factory came along after the waterfront community had been in existence for awhile, and they bought up that big empty field to put their factory up. But both of these aged communities existed in somewhat the same time period.
Probably going to need a few more silos for raw materials to make those bricks, and some stacks of bricks outdoors? Suggestions anyone??
For reference,...overview trackplan of maindeck
Hey Brian!
railandsailCompliment on another forum
That's really neat. You are helping to inspire young people to learn. Congratulations.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Compliment on another forum
Great Post I am actually having FUN creating these full size plans, and I am learning somethings about planning concentric curves, fitting in structures, tight tolerances etc, etc. Brian What a delightful post Brian! I've been exploiting that fun factor to turn my students on to geometry and algebra. You've demonstrated that the experience is nearly universal! I've found that the full size paper planning extends to over-the-road planning very nicely when using masonite splines to effortlessly lay out long cubic spiral transitions without the fuss and bother of doing any symbolic manipulations - direct, hands-on math that literally feels good and is viscerally productive. Jeff Allen
I am actually having FUN creating these full size plans, and I am learning somethings about planning concentric curves, fitting in structures, tight tolerances etc, etc. Brian
What a delightful post Brian! I've been exploiting that fun factor to turn my students on to geometry and algebra. You've demonstrated that the experience is nearly universal!
I've found that the full size paper planning extends to over-the-road planning very nicely when using masonite splines to effortlessly lay out long cubic spiral transitions without the fuss and bother of doing any symbolic manipulations - direct, hands-on math that literally feels good and is viscerally productive.
Jeff Allen
Paper Trapped Under Cork
There are quite a number of places where I will not have cork under the track, at least that is the way I am considering it now.
No cork under freight yard, steel scene, peininsula, and of staging yard ladder and stowage tracks. Cork only under the main lines. At least thats the way I see it at the moment.
railandsail Anyone want to chime in as to why I should just forget removing the paper pattern?I had thought that it might interfere with other adhesive efforts around the track,...such as ballasting or other scenic materials....
Anyone want to chime in as to why I should just forget removing the paper pattern?I had thought that it might interfere with other adhesive efforts around the track,...such as ballasting or other scenic materials....
I'll re-chime.
I'm assuming that you would use your templates to position cork roadbed--that you would tack down the cork right on top of the templates. And lay the track on that.
That would leave the paper "trapped" under the cork. If you slice of the paper with a razor blade, or just tear it, most of it will be gone. The part under the cork will likely get glued up by your ballast glue, and become a permanent track element. But I don't see a reason to make a huge effort to remove it.
Leaving ALL the paper there might cause a problem with scenery goop, as it has a lot less glue in it than ballast goop.
Ed
I find all of this tedious pre planning, then planning, then planning again, stuff very interesting.
Since I have a small space to work with, I build my benchwork to the smallest ailse space tolerance that I can stand, then design a plan from there. I find it easier to design a plan to fit the benchwork than it is to build benchwork to fit a plan.
I look at it as designing the aisle space first, then the rest of the space gets filled in with benchwork.
I make a general sketch on paper, then lay the track on the table top as I go and change it to how I like it or how it will fit if I have to, keeping sight of my givens and druthers.
What ever works for you Brian. I don't see how it would be a problem to slip the paper templates out from under the track, as you go. The final ajustments you will make as you go along with the track laying process, regardless of the paper templates. I kind of think this whole process your going through, and all the threads you have started, is a bit over the top, to me. It sorta seams like what a member in here called "paralyse analyse".
I built mine the Dr. Wayne method. I knew the space I had, and I did a "almost to scale" sketch, and started laying track. Yea, and I have plenty of track "on the edge", with no problems.
Like I said, what ever works.
Mike.
My You Tube
richhotrain Using full size turnouts on 4x8 sheets of paper seems a bit unmanageable to me. I use quadrille paper to design my layouts, and it works just fine. Each sheet is 11" x 17" and consists of 1/4" squares. I simply use Scotch brand tape to tape multiple quadrille sheets together for larger layout designs. As expected the actual layout closely matches the quadrille paper design. Rich
Using full size turnouts on 4x8 sheets of paper seems a bit unmanageable to me.
I use quadrille paper to design my layouts, and it works just fine. Each sheet is 11" x 17" and consists of 1/4" squares.
I simply use Scotch brand tape to tape multiple quadrille sheets together for larger layout designs. As expected the actual layout closely matches the quadrille paper design.
Rich
I did consider using smaller size paper sheets. In fact I had some nice white 2'x3' size sheets (probably utilized in architecture dwgs).But then I thought about their fragile nature when taped together in a larger size, and figured I might as well go with the bigger sheets that could be just rolled up into a 4' long tube of about 6" diameter.
I use quadrille paper to design my layouts, and it works just fine. Each sheet is 11" x 17" and consists of 1/4" squares. For my purposes, each 1/4" square represents a 2" x 2" square in HO scale.
Since I already have turnouts on hand, I know the exact dimensions and angles of the turnouts and the exact space required for cross overs. Same for wyes, 3-ways, curved turnouts, etc. I simply use Scotch brand tape to tape multiple quadrille sheets together for larger layout designs. As expected the actual layout closely matches the quadrille paper design.
Alton Junction
7j43k railandsail The trick is going to be how to get the paper pattern out from under the track after all things have been located. Why do you think you should remove the pattern? I see no reason.... Ed
railandsail The trick is going to be how to get the paper pattern out from under the track after all things have been located.
The trick is going to be how to get the paper pattern out from under the track after all things have been located.
Why do you think you should remove the pattern? I see no reason....
A one-to-one full size paper plan works great. That's what I did on Railroad board taped together. Two years in the planning because of elevation issues. I just didn't have the patience to unravel it all tonight. But I dug it out and unfolded it one fold. It's a cookie cutter cut out now. That's how I used it last and have kept it for reference. You're on the right track with this plan because you know exactly where your tracks go. Maybe I could un-ravel this thing for you when I'm not so tired
You're on the right track.
Respectfully TF