Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Yard layout only

4607 views
14 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 4,115 posts
Yard layout only
Posted by tatans on Thursday, July 18, 2013 12:50 PM

does anyone have a layout of a freight yard, or switching yard that makes up freight trains as the main feature of their layout, switchers only, plenty of cars, plenty of tracks and plenty of switches, maybe only one small main line zooming off to somewhere, would be interesting to see.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • 1,511 posts
Posted by pastorbob on Thursday, July 18, 2013 1:54 PM

My personal observation, but I have a three deck layout with several switching yards but also mainline trackage along with industrial yards.  I wouldn't go any other way.  However, if your need is for a layout to fit a small space, you may have a problem finding a good plan.

Bob Miller

Bob Miller http://www.atsfmodelrailroads.com/
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Southwest US
  • 12,914 posts
Posted by tomikawaTT on Thursday, July 18, 2013 3:16 PM

I recall there being one such in MR.  It might be in the track plan data base.

The main problem with a big model yard is the same problem our full-size friends have with big yards in 1:1 scale - labor.  It takes a big, competent staff to keep everything flowing if you are modeling an operation that actually needs a large classification yard.  Not my cup of o-cha.  I prefer the dispatcher - trainwatcher role.

EDIT:  In a quick search of the data base I found The Argentine Industrial District, 110 feet of shelves comprising a large yard, a couple of smaller yards, industries to switch, no main line (just a thoroughfare track.)  Might be worth a look.  It isn't the one I remember.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Thursday, July 18, 2013 4:45 PM

I have built several yard switching layouts that was a satellite yard for industries.Here is one such layout in the construction phase.

 

May not look like much but,it gave me hours of enjoyment and I will boldly add that beats having no layout.

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,280 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, July 18, 2013 5:29 PM

Take a look at this 5-year old thread.

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/141397/1575680.aspx

Scroll down to the photo of Wedudler's layout.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, July 18, 2013 6:07 PM

It's sure nice to see Wolfgang's website is still up and running. I learned a lot from him. The one thing that was ingrained into me from the time he mentioned it, was to have the main(s) at the back of the bench behind the ladder. If I ever get a room with lots of wall space I would like to do something similar.

Personally, because of the room I have I have decided not to have a large yard because I just couldn't get it to work to my satisfaction on my middle of the room table. So I decided a Rocky Mountain pusher station will be the centre of attention on this layout.

There are two 180 degree A/D tracks at the top. A small ladder for MOW, snowplows etc. Hopefully quite a few engines to keep on the move, in and out.

Here you can see where the roundhouse and turntable will go. A ballon track goes around the two. Now for a fleet of CPR Mikados and Selkirks to give it that lived in look.Laugh

Hope to see lots of photo's. A good idea for a thread.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 4,115 posts
Posted by tatans on Thursday, July 18, 2013 6:26 PM

I guess Wolfgang answered my question, also brakie and batman, it's possible and looks very exciting, if Wolfgang (wedudler) is watching, are you related to Almdudler? ? )

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 2,505 posts
Posted by caldreamer on Thursday, July 18, 2013 6:51 PM

My N scale layout has an operating hump yard with three arrival, three departure and ten classification tracks.   There are also auxiliary tracks such as the no hump, run through and caboosetrack.

     Ira.

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Saskatchewan
  • 2,201 posts
Posted by last mountain & eastern hogger on Thursday, July 18, 2013 7:33 PM

tatans

I guess Wolfgang answered my question, also brakie and batman, it's possible and looks very exciting, if Wolfgang (wedudler) is watching, are you related to Almdudler? ? )

Whistling    Hey Tatans,

You do know, do you not, that Wolfgang Passed away last year, both he and Stein.

Johnboy out....................

from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North.. 

We have met the enemy,  and he is us............ (Pogo)

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 4,115 posts
Posted by tatans on Friday, July 19, 2013 1:20 PM

last mountain & eastern hogger

tatans

I guess Wolfgang answered my question, also brakie and batman, it's possible and looks very exciting, if Wolfgang (wedudler) is watching, are you related to Almdudler? ? )

Whistling    Hey Tatans,

You do know, do you not, that Wolfgang Passed away last year, both he and Stein.

Johnboy out....................

Sorry, did not know, sure had a talent for MR, his layout is magnificent.

Geographically, Saskabush is in the Great White South of Canadaland. The Jaw is only 90 miles from the U.S. border.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Memphis
  • 931 posts
Posted by PASMITH on Saturday, July 20, 2013 5:56 PM

Although this is my staging yard, it will have some scenery especially at the bottom half of the picture. The tracks to the left side of the yard stage eastbound and westbound trains to and from Klamath Falls on the Klamath Falls Oregon branch of the SP about 1910.

The tracks to  to the right side stage east and west bound trains to and from Weed CA about 80 miles south of Klamath Falls.

I can use actual time tables to run trains between these two locations by using hidden staging between these locations.

Peter Smith, Memphis 

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Edmonton, Alberta
  • 12 posts
Posted by HO novice on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 7:43 PM

This is just what I have been looking for as I have 2 - 3 way Peco switches that I want to use in my yard.

 How wide is this shelf (?)  as I only have 11.25 inches. I want to link this yard via a bridge over to my main 5 X 10 foot layout.

 Any thoughts how I might use both 3 ways on my 5 goot shelf ??

thanks in advance

Eldon

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,565 posts
Posted by cowman on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 8:10 PM

HO novice,

 Some thoughts for using two 3-way turnouts.

For double ended tracks, place at each end of the yard with a tail long enough for your locomotive to escape on the center track.

For a six track stub ended yard place the two in succession and spread the two tracks off the first one to the outside of the inner turnout.  This may crowd your space, not sure.

Another stub ended yard with five tracks attach one to the side leg of the other.  Would give you one track to one side of the main entrance track and three on the other.

If you had a slightly wider space using a wye to feed the two 3-ways would give you a nice six track stub yard.  Sigh!

Good luck,

Richard

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 3:15 PM

My 2 CentsMy thoughts are just a yard and main line would get boring. I would add some industrial switching near the yard for additional interest

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Memphis
  • 931 posts
Posted by PASMITH on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 5:11 PM

My shelf is 14 inches. At the end of the shelf I am using a manual On30 turntable.

Below is the shelf looking in the oposite direction. The way I would lay out the turnouts is by trial and error on top of the shelf.

To the left  and up the hill is north and south bound to and from Klamath Falls OR.  Strait ahead is to and from Weed CA. 

Peter Smith, Memphis

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!