Decision Time

[Greg Elems]

The time has come for some of my layout wants and desires to be addressed. I did a few track plans and found that what I had wanted and designed earlier might not be feasible. Also, the questions about turnouts reared its ugly head. My planned use of Shinohara turnouts will be fine for straight # 6’s. But I’m finding some # 5’s will be handy and that leaves me to scratch building. A friend of mine makes excellent turnouts, but they lean to the function over form for looks. He will give me a tutorial on building them. Since I’m not into contest building, that suites me fine. It seems that if I’m to build # 5’s then I should build the # 6’s too.

Now for my track plan, I had wanted a folded dog bone, U shaped, for continuous running. Now I’m thinking about maybe a helix for connecting an upper level with a lower level foe continuous running and point to point for operationing sessions. I’m wondering if a single end staging yard would work. The idea being, trains come out of staging and return. Turning the whole train between operating sessions wouldn’t be a chore, since I could use that as railfan time.

If you’re wondering, I plan on industries that are frequently seen out West. Lumber, cement and perishables with a grain silo thrown in for the dairies. Agriculture needs could be added, such as fertilizer and pesticides. I guess what I’m planning on staying away from would be the auto industry in particular and the steel industry.

Thoughts, questions and idea’s welcome.

Greg

[BoxcabE50]

Greg-

Can you lead into the staging yard via a wye? If so, turning the train would be greatly simplified.

I recently had a bookmark that could be of interest. But cannot find it! :mad: An outfit that makes jigs for building switches. They looked good. In any scale, and any rail size.

:D

Boxcab E50

[Greg Elems]

Ken,

A wye is a good idea. When I get to the point where I'm locating the staging yard, I will try and include it. Thanks for the idea.

I think I know the outfit you are talking about. I am tempeted to try them, but I too can't find the bookmark. I will have to do some searches and see what I find. If you do find it, post it.

On another subject, and since I'm in a hurry, I will include it here. I saw a frameless tank car today with the build date of 1964 and a couple with 1967.

Greg

[BoxcabE50]

Greg-

I searched through my bookmarks again. Still no luck. Have a weak idea of another place to look. I'd swear I saved that one!

So that style of tank car does fit my era. I was thinking it would be borderline for a date. But sounds as though it fits comfortably.

:D

Boxcab E50

[Greg Elems]

I may find it on the On30 list, at least a mention of it. I have some code 100 NS rail, and really should try hand laying at least one switch.

I would think that there would be more of the tank cars with frames still running, but by 1970 a 50 50 mix probably would be appropriat. I saw a couple of 1968 build dates today and a big tank with a frame, made in 1969. I may have a shot of it, will have to search my jpeg files and see.

Greg

[BoxcabE50]

I found the link!!! Try this:

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/

Hope it's helpful!

:D

Boxcab E50

[texasdon]

Greg,

It sounds like you are solidifying your plans. I am also starting to think seriously about my layout design. I will probably go with single ended staging yard as well. Creating a double ended yard requires a lot of space, which can probably better be used for other things such as car capacity.

[Greg Elems]

Ken that is the link. Sure glad you found it; I've bookmarked it for sure this time.

Don, good to see you back here on the board. Refresh my memory, were you going to do around the wall type layout or what?

I'm thinking about an E shaped layout with main portion against a wall and the center peninsula double decked for a staging yard under an industrial area. Not sure exactly how I want to tackle it. I have lots of paper and pencils that I can work this out on. :D

Greg