Tracklaying Saga

[Anonymous]

Just thought I'd share, because I can't do anything but laugh or I'd cry...

So it's time for tracklaying to commence on the new layout. Yay!

After much advice and consideration, I decided to start with the logging line. It's elevated and toward the rear of my shelves, so get it in place before I start the "in front" mainline, yards, etc.

The critical area of the logging line that will determine the rest is the "mountain" area where the logging camp as well as a coal mine sit. So we start there.

But, since one part of the logging line sits above the mainline (where it goes through a tunnel), I really had to lay that section of mainline first, so I wasn't trying to do trackwork underneath a 10" high platform.

Fair enough. But one issue...

The critical placement piece for that section of mainline is a turnout where my staging yard enters. That turnout isn't under the logging line, it's a few feet away. But it's placement is critical to the rest of the section that IS under the logging line.

So I have to start with that turnout, then the mainline under the logging line keyed off it, then the logging line.

Okay. Can do. But...

The entrance from staging must work around supports for the section of the logging line that goes through the staging area behind the backdrop. That section of the logging line must be carefully placed in relation to the spot where it pierces the backdrop to go back out front and become visible again.

So I have to start with one section of the logging line through staging, to position the turnout out of staging to lay the mainline under the logging line to lay that section of the logging line.

No big deal. We can do that. Except for one thing...

That cut through the backdrop for the logging line must be very precisely placed and is on a curve. This must be so because the logging line passes behind the passenger yard after it emerges, and a miscalculation won't leave enough space between the yard and the logging line to scenic it nicely. I don't want a 4" horizontal separation of a 8" vertical separation and have to build a ridiculous looking 10-foot-long retaining wall...

So I have to place the car yard to position the opening through the backgdrop to position the turnout out of staging to lay the mainline under the logging line so I can lay that part of the logging line.

Okay, so I have to start with the car yard. I don't even have to lay the tracks for that one, just mark it out. Fair enough. But wait...

The passenger yard placement is dependent on tracks connecting it to the passenger terminal which sits on a peninsula. The two are connected, as is common with passenger terminals, with a complex series of tracks including double-slips, etc. This calls for some careful, precision tracklaying, not just marking it out, and certainly not a "quickie"job.

So I have to place the passenger terminal to position the car yard to position the backdrop opening to position the turnout from staging to lay the mainline section that sits under the logging section to lay that part of the logging line.

Okay. We start with the passenger terminal. My operations are passenger focused, the layout's designed around the passenger terminal, so that makes sense. But...

The passenger terminal sits on a peninsula that also includes the loco service facility which includes a turntable. The turntable must be carefully positioned as spacing is rather tight here. If it's too close to the edge, I won't have space for tracks long enough to hold my articulated steam. If it's too far from the edge, there won't be room to bring the loco entry track past the passenger terminal with sufficient clearance.

So I have to position the turntable to position the passenger terminal to position the car yard to position the backdrop opening to position the turnout from staging to position the mainline that sits under the logging line to lay that part of the logging line.

Fine. We start with the turntable. But...

Oddly enough, the most critical placement in the loco service area is the utility track - the track where hoppers deliver coal, remove ash from the ashpit, etc. The placement of that is critical because it connects, via a crossover and turnout, to a track that runs all the way around the layout to the other side where the coal mine sits. Coal from the mine, coal for the locos, makes sense right?

So I have to position the utility track so I can position the turntable so I can place the passenger terminal so I can position the car yard so I can position the backdrop opening to position the turnout from staging to position the mainline that sits under the logging line to lay that part of the logging line.

One problem. That track that goes to the mine has another name. I usually call it... The logging line.

So I need to start with the logging line. Okay, except...

There's this part of the mainline that goes under the logging line...

BLAAAAAH!

[Don Z]

Okay, I'm sitting here trying to figure out if this is the world's longest sarcastic post, or if you're really stuck.....

Have you considered drawing out the track centerline in a 1:1 scale, or printing out your layout at the 1:1 scale and using the printout for a template for track placement? I think that if you're trying to build and lay track 'on the fly' that you'd be asking for a lot of potential headaches.

Just my 2 cents.

Don Z.

[Anonymous]

World's longest sarcastic post. But it is the actual sequence I ran through in trying to figure the best place to start.

The reality is, I'll start with the section of mainline that goes through the tunnel, and go from there. I do have the whole thing laid out in CAD very precisely, so it's not nearly the hassle it sounds like.

1:1 would be one heck of an undertaking - the layout is 30' by 30'

[selector]

Conundrums, conundrums! I still think you need to tackle the least accessible part first, and then work out in concentric circles until you can situate the passenger terminal and other items nearer the reachable areas and edges. At some point you will have to do an adjustment with a section of track, so don't glue anything down until it is all connected, powered, and traversed by a big loco. When it all miraculously seems to work, then you take up a section, gix it permanently, and so on.

[Texas Zepher]

Sounds like there are too many critical spots, tight placements, close clearances, and precision tracklaying required for this layout. Throw out the whole plan and start over with a more forgiving concept [:o)].[:-^]

[Anonymous]

Just to clarify... I'm exaggerating by something like 500%... taking to an extreme the sort of hysteria I sometimes see about tracklaying...

For the record, the track plan doesn't have overly tight clearances, critical spots or tight placements. I'm not stuck, I've started, and am well underway. Thanks for all the advice and concern, but please reserve it for the folks here who have real questions and problems...

Speaking of which, I wouldn't object if anyone went over and answered my real question about spectrum coupler replacement...

Best,

Casey

[jim22]

Uhhhh, I bet this happens IRL too. That's why there are all those cool tools for cutting flextrack [:)]

[tomikawaTT]

My layout resembles that!

The only possible answer is build it like any other sandwich. Start at the bottom and work up.

[Sure! The bottom slice of bread is in and pretty well buttered with trackage (some of which will be raised on grades, which has already been provided for.) The top slice of bread (the one visible station) is pretty well established, track planned, subroadbed cut, electrical circuits provided for... The meat level, passenger staging, hasn't even been designed yet - and passenger movements will account for well over 3/4 of the train movements on the schedule I intend to operate!]

What, me worry?