I got 101 track plans, but I found that it was impossible to read. I couldn't tell if the turnouts were snap or #4, what the minimum and maximum radiuses were and just what part numbers were used. I'm trying to design my own...Thanks so far, I know I'm a pain in the ***,
Spit
This web page has lots of small plans. There are a few I really like in here. Take a look and see what ya think.(They are n scale but you could make them HO. I like the ones for the doors.) http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train2.htm
Ray
Spit take a look at www.gatewaynmra.org and you will see a 4 x 8 called red wing. I am considering building this layout myself. It offers a four track stub ended yard, a little switching and of course continuous running. Nothing wrong with 4 x 8 layouts. Not everyone has space for basement filling layouts. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.
Kirk
Hey guys,
I redesigned my trackplan. The biggest change was reducing the mountain. I then changed all the switches to #4s, and added a passing siding, connected to a runaround. I know the siding isn't nessessary with the runaround, but I felt it added some origonality. I changed the positions of the industrial area, leaving for a nice "town" area. I also changed the yard entrance so that it only used one part of the mainline to switch in, and not 3 parts. I also added a small bit of N track protruding from the mountain, which will be where coal is delivered from inside the mountain. I don't have enough room for a circle, but I thought it would be cool to have a sort of power relay, where when it got to a certain point, it would go the other way. BTW, I removed the part descriptions so it's easier to see, but have left the ones for the industries, so you know which siding delivers to what. Where the black arrow is, I plan to add a 2' x 4' section for a yard and possibly engine servicing area. I might even add another one, for even more engine servicing. I have also color coded everything, so that it is easier to recognise. I believe that you should know which each one is, so I won't put the codes, as I have already described everything.
http://jarolimekrailways.tripod.com/railroad_pictures/index.album?i=0&s=1
I hope you all like it,
Todd(Spit)
I reviewed the latest track plan. I think it's a huge improvement over the previous efforts. It has a nice balance between track and scenery - at least to my eye. I see 2 things which may cause unanticpated operational difficulties:
1) I would reorient the cross-over in the bottom left to lead from the inner curved track in a counter-clockwise direction to the outer straight track. This will not affect the use of the straight portion of the passing track as a run-around, but will allow a train running continuously to use the left end passing track without interfering with a train servicing the spurs.
2) If I read the diagram correctly, the switchback tail leading to the mine is only 18" long. At best, this a locomotive and 2 cars - not very many for a mine with 2 tipples and spurs. And if you are using longer locomotives or hoppers, it may only be one hopper and engine. Furthermore, the tail track also serves an industry, which means a car will often be spotted there when you go to access the mine tracks. Meanwhile the parallel spur beside the switchback tail serves no useful purpose other than to store cars. The situation has all the makings of a classic switching puzzle, which is fine if that is your intention. However, it's an unlikely prototype situation, and will be a time consuming operations hurdle if you don't like puzzles.
for spacemouse: I know you like to tout Armstrong's plan for a good 4x8 design for operations. But the more I look at it, the more I see the impossibility of implementing it in 4x8 with any available commercial turnouts. And even if one cuts the turnouts back enough to make it fit a 4x8, the capacity of the spurs and sidings is going to be very, very small. Making it look respectable scenically would be nearly impossible. About the best 4x8 I've seen actually built so far is Harold's Pacific Coast Air Line Railway, (http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/) and I'm not sure that would work at all for more modern and bigger equipment.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
Allright, Thanks.
Okay, I think I understand your reasoning on the runaround. I redid that and the Mining Industry. For the record, Both spurs were at least 27", one was 30". I redid it, but the maximum length I could get on it was 18". It has more spurs, and it's in a better position, it's just not very long. I could always back into one spur, unload some cars, back into the other and unload some, and back into another and unload some. Just tell me what you think.
http://jarolimekrailways.tripod.com/railroad_pictures/index.album?i=1&s=1
Thanks,Spit
I redid it again, allowing more town space and mine space. Using Wye Turnouts, I was able to get a total of 72" of rolling stock area.
http://jarolimekrailways.tripod.com/railroad_pictures/index.album?i=3&s=1
I came up with a brand new track plan. It utilizes the rural/industrial thing I wanted, while adding a mountain and a backdrop down the "middle". On the "indurtrial" area, There are 3 idustries(Warehouse, PowerPlant, Cement) and a passenger station, along with a watertank in the back. On the "rural" side, there is only one, along with a "desert" sort of mountain. THe kit will sit on the moutain, having it cut out.The switch on the rural goes to an east departure and possibly an addition. On the indurtrial, I'm going to have a switch from the curve, and go west.
http://jarolimekrailways.tripod.com/railroad_pictures/index.album?i=4&s=1
BTW, depending upon the rules in the new layout contest, I might enter this, just for the hell of it.
THanks,Spit
SpaceMouse wrote:Here's my favorite 4 x8 (other than my own): And here is a discussion by Byron Henderson on how to operate it. http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id39.html The plan is by John Armstrong and is quite sophisticated. You can go a long way without outgrowing it. And it has a mountain and tunnel. If you want someone to design a layout for you you can't get better than this one from the master.
SpitFireV12RR wrote:I am so deprived for space that my 4x8 is outside...thanks for the concern, but thats all I can make. Believe me, If I could do around the walls layout, I would.
Hoople wrote: Hey! Thats the layout I'm building! It was just perfect for me. Scenic and switching.
which one are you talking about? There are so many on here it's not funny!!!
SpitFireV12RR wrote: which one are you talking about? There are so many on here it's not funny!!!
Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.
SpaceMouse wrote:Is this clear enough? See that turnout under the second level on the right. While working on the layout or during a climate change or something it started derailing an engine about once every ten laps. It worked perfectly before I covered it. It is hard to work on and impossible to see why it is derailing. Again--you've been warned. As for me--never again.
nice over all layout, can i see a track plan?
It started as a Hogwart's layout.
See more at Hogwart's Layout
It morphed into the Rock Ridge and Train City. Keep an eye out, I'm building a tribute to the layout and it will be announced in a couple days.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.