Yards and easyDCC

[Anonymous]

I am wanting to know where I can find aerial photos or diagrams of prototype yards. I would like to build a large service and classification yard as the center of my new layout. Also, I would like to hear opinions on EasyDCC. Good or bad will both be appreciated. thanks

[Anonymous]

I am wanting to know where I can find aerial photos or diagrams of prototype yards. I would like to build a large service and classification yard as the center of my new layout. Also, I would like to hear opinions on EasyDCC. Good or bad will both be appreciated. thanks

[Anonymous]

Prototype yard photos would be a hinderance as there is no way to build them in scale in the space allotted. You would need 100 feet + for even a small "scale" yard. Look at past issuses of MR for lots of scale compressed yard ideas on others layouts. If you want real pictures Barnes and Nobles and Walden books stock nice coffee table books that have nice rail photos in them. I purchased one 3 weeks ago that was on sale for 9 bucks that had lots of good pics of yards, equipment, and locos.

[Anonymous]

Prototype yard photos would be a hinderance as there is no way to build them in scale in the space allotted. You would need 100 feet + for even a small "scale" yard. Look at past issuses of MR for lots of scale compressed yard ideas on others layouts. If you want real pictures Barnes and Nobles and Walden books stock nice coffee table books that have nice rail photos in them. I purchased one 3 weeks ago that was on sale for 9 bucks that had lots of good pics of yards, equipment, and locos.

[Anonymous]

All of the yards I've seen are small. They are just like you see on layouts.

[Anonymous]

All of the yards I've seen are small. They are just like you see on layouts.

[Anonymous]

Most of the yards I seen are at least a 1 mile long. How long is a mile in HO? About 70 feet? Most yards I seen are at least 10 tracks wide. I have seen double and triple track sidings that some call yards, but they are sidings. Yards are used for parking, building, and arranging trains. Most have fuel, sanding, and maintance facilities that will house several locos. The local yard has 8 tracks going into the maintance shed alone, and will hold maybe 4 or 5 SD70MACs on each of the tracks. And that's just under the maintance shed roof. But if you really want real pictures try google search for train yards. I found lots of pictures. As I say once again, look at model Railroader magazine to get scale yard plans and ideas.

[Anonymous]

Most of the yards I seen are at least a 1 mile long. How long is a mile in HO? About 70 feet? Most yards I seen are at least 10 tracks wide. I have seen double and triple track sidings that some call yards, but they are sidings. Yards are used for parking, building, and arranging trains. Most have fuel, sanding, and maintance facilities that will house several locos. The local yard has 8 tracks going into the maintance shed alone, and will hold maybe 4 or 5 SD70MACs on each of the tracks. And that's just under the maintance shed roof. But if you really want real pictures try google search for train yards. I found lots of pictures. As I say once again, look at model Railroader magazine to get scale yard plans and ideas.

[ronsmith]

The people are correct in stating that yards take up a lot of space; best thing to do is find one you like and build it in the space you have to look as close to the real yard as
possible. I also have located yards with Yahoo Maps and printed them out; like to one
across the Mississippi River from St Louis. Yard is probably several miles long with
loops on each end.
EasyDCC is a great system we use on our club layout and probably a dozen local home layouts. It really lives up to its name in being easy to use and set up locomotives. Do not over look this system, it may not have some of the bells and whistles others have but I have not found anyone that uses them all because of the time required to preform some functions during train operations.
Remember THE MAIN PURPOSE IS TO HAVE FUN, FUN.

[ronsmith]

The people are correct in stating that yards take up a lot of space; best thing to do is find one you like and build it in the space you have to look as close to the real yard as
possible. I also have located yards with Yahoo Maps and printed them out; like to one
across the Mississippi River from St Louis. Yard is probably several miles long with
loops on each end.
EasyDCC is a great system we use on our club layout and probably a dozen local home layouts. It really lives up to its name in being easy to use and set up locomotives. Do not over look this system, it may not have some of the bells and whistles others have but I have not found anyone that uses them all because of the time required to preform some functions during train operations.
Remember THE MAIN PURPOSE IS TO HAVE FUN, FUN.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response. I do not want to try to model a prototype yard foot by foot. What I am looking for is ideas to help plan the layout and flow. I will check out your suggestions. And to flee307, could I get the name of that book? thanks again

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your response. I do not want to try to model a prototype yard foot by foot. What I am looking for is ideas to help plan the layout and flow. I will check out your suggestions. And to flee307, could I get the name of that book? thanks again

[Anonymous]

Railroads Across America from Walden Books. Was 7.92 + tx

[Anonymous]

Railroads Across America from Walden Books. Was 7.92 + tx

[Anonymous]

I use Easy DCC on my home layout, and it is easy. I also like that the control panel comes with 2 throttles. Most only have 1, so you have to keep calling up other address to run multiple trains. I can control 2 locos at the same time, which is nice for me. Give them a try, I think you will enjoy!!

PJ

[Anonymous]

I use Easy DCC on my home layout, and it is easy. I also like that the control panel comes with 2 throttles. Most only have 1, so you have to keep calling up other address to run multiple trains. I can control 2 locos at the same time, which is nice for me. Give them a try, I think you will enjoy!!

PJ

[Anonymous]

I have used easy DCC in lots of operating sessions and several of my freinds have installed it on their layouts. In my experience, It works quite well and I highly reccomend it. I will be buying a system for my new layout sometime in the next year.

[Anonymous]

I have used easy DCC in lots of operating sessions and several of my freinds have installed it on their layouts. In my experience, It works quite well and I highly reccomend it. I will be buying a system for my new layout sometime in the next year.

[der5997]

As I'm considering DCC, and have so far concluded that "all the bells and whistles" are more than I need, I'm interested in finding out more about this Easy DCC. Would one of you please post a URL for it? thanks.

[der5997]

As I'm considering DCC, and have so far concluded that "all the bells and whistles" are more than I need, I'm interested in finding out more about this Easy DCC. Would one of you please post a URL for it? thanks.

[ClinchValleySD40]

First thing to do is get Armstrong's book "Track Planning for Realistic Operation". There is an excellent chapter devoted to yards with some great designs. This book is an absolute MUST HAVE for anyone planning a layout.

[ClinchValleySD40]

First thing to do is get Armstrong's book "Track Planning for Realistic Operation". There is an excellent chapter devoted to yards with some great designs. This book is an absolute MUST HAVE for anyone planning a layout.

[Anonymous]

I'll have to agree with clinchvalley "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" Has the answers you are looking for. As for DCC I'm reasearching it for my layout now and so-far I think Digitrax has the most to offer. The support from my local dealer is very important to me! I'm sleeping better now! The one time invesment dosn't seem so risky now that I'm not alone. Good Luck

[Anonymous]

I'll have to agree with clinchvalley "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" Has the answers you are looking for. As for DCC I'm reasearching it for my layout now and so-far I think Digitrax has the most to offer. The support from my local dealer is very important to me! I'm sleeping better now! The one time invesment dosn't seem so risky now that I'm not alone. Good Luck

[Anonymous]

der5997, log on to www.cvpusa.com there you will find all the info you need on this Easy DCC product. You can even down load the manuals.

[Anonymous]

der5997, log on to www.cvpusa.com there you will find all the info you need on this Easy DCC product. You can even down load the manuals.

[Anonymous]

Clinchvalley is correct about John Armstrongs' book - it should be a must read.
If you're looking for airial photography, thry this webiste
www.pixxures.ca
or check out the NTGS in the US (don't know the web site)
Tim

[Anonymous]

Clinchvalley is correct about John Armstrongs' book - it should be a must read.
If you're looking for airial photography, thry this webiste
www.pixxures.ca
or check out the NTGS in the US (don't know the web site)
Tim

[der5997]

raderholt: Thanks for t he Easy DCC URL. I'll take a look when I've got some more time.
Just want to endorse the "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" book. I've found it a great help, even if I've not had t he space (even in N) to do all that Armstrong suggests. The basic stuff is there, and that's what I need, as I know squat about railroads.

[der5997]

raderholt: Thanks for t he Easy DCC URL. I'll take a look when I've got some more time.
Just want to endorse the "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" book. I've found it a great help, even if I've not had t he space (even in N) to do all that Armstrong suggests. The basic stuff is there, and that's what I need, as I know squat about railroads.