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3.5 x 5 HO layout...Operation?

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  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Monday, October 25, 2021 9:02 AM

Hi there. I would have an industrial site in the South, using the South West area to store a few locos. I would put a "feeder" industry in the North, something like a coal mine. Hoppers could move from the mine to the industry site. Could also be a grain distributor providing wheat to a flour factory. A tiny passenger platform could fit in the North East to justify a mixed train.

Simon

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, October 25, 2021 8:49 AM

custom1106

how would you guys operate this setup? 

It is an interesting use of space. Understandably, because of the small size of the layout, there is no room to turn trains around in the opposite direction, so you can only run trains in one direction at a time.

My guess is that you are operating trains counterclockwise. If so, you are able to place rolling stock on those upper two tracks without trapping your locomotive. The same would apply to those three inner tracks toward the bottom of the layout. However, that lead track into the other two inner tracks is quite short, Could it be extended to allow a few more pieces of rolling stock for spotting purposes?

I am not sure of the purpose of the crossover track at the bottom of the layout. Is that an escape track for whatever the purpose? 

In your earlier thread, speedybee offered an alternative track plan.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/289471/3363617.aspx#3363617

In some respects, it seems superior to your chosen track plan. Would you reconsider your current track plan?

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2002
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Posted by ndbprr on Monday, October 25, 2021 8:11 AM

Well you are obviously from the plan going to need a small engine like a switcher or industrial engine and probably limited to 40' cars. I would make a large factory in the center with receiving cars at one yard and shipping cars at the other with various loading platforms on the sidings.. maybe in the future you could extend one of the yard tracks to a bigger yard or even a bigger railroad

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, October 25, 2021 3:45 AM

custom1106
I've been running trains on this for a couple of weeks...how would you guys operate this setup?

First, we are missing some basic information.

1) What railroad are you modeling (or would want to model?) Central Pacific, Western Pacific, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific?

2) What era are you modeling? 1890's, 1923, 1955, 1990?

3) Where is your model railroad located? What part of the country/world? Peru, Great Britain, India, California?  

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 21 posts
3.5 x 5 HO layout...Operation?
Posted by custom1106 on Sunday, October 24, 2021 10:31 PM

A month or so ago I posted about figuring out a track plan for a 3.5 x 5 space in HO. With input from this forum and a few minor changes the track has been put together and things run pretty smooth. The turnouts in the top of the picture will have their switch machines removed like the other turnouts.

The thing I'm wondering about is operations. I've been running trains on this for a couple of weeks...how would you guys operate this setup? What kinds of industries? What track would work best as an interchange...etc?

 

 

Thanks for any info Thumbs Up

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