I see that you took your original scenery vision of the mountains and saw the potential to make it better. In your case you were building on an already solid scenery design. Unfortunately my old layout design had a human logistics flaw with regard to the foreground scenery and yard placement. Problem solved!:tb-cool: Jerry
In keeping with my "big industry" theme I decided to drop the soap industry to allow more room for an expanded flour mill. I did not like the crowded parking lot appearance. I also have the option to add a view block between the intermodal yard and the now expanded flour mill. Two spurs on the lower level industries were removed to make way for a siding that will allow cars to be spotted at the desired locations. This should make operations more interesting by providing run around movements. The old layout is now fully dismantled and reworking of the existing bench work is underway. Bench work depth will increase from 20 inches to 26 inches on the yard and lower industries walls. I just need to finalize the track / scenery plans.:tb-wink: Jerry
Hidden Staging I see a possibility for two 10 foot tracks of hidden staging as indicated by the dashed lines of track. Tunnel portals on the left and right side would provide the escape to staging. Block occupancy detection would be used to monitor staged trains. Access clearance would be 2 inches above trains and 4 inches minimum to one side of the trains. I think it just might work.:tb-cool: Jerry
Jerry, I presume you would drop these two tracks down below the current bench level. Would you have enough room for the necessary grade to clear the yard? I guess, if you have your entire yard area and upper west-side turnaround higher than the double-main running along the creek... hmmm. At that point, why stop at only 2 tracks :mbiggrin:?
Rick: Just to clarify, the staging tracks are taking off from the lowest point of each downhill grade and would continue to drop another inch to top of bench work grid. The tracks just behind the lower level industries are 4 inches above the bench work grid and the scenery extends to the wall at that same level. The staging tracks would be just under this area to the point that it meets up with the yard. The west side turn around area is part of the grade and so is not high enough to clear any staged trains unless you would drop down below the bench work grid; approximately 6 more inches. Bottom line is I saw an easy way to pack in a couple of staging tracks without too much trouble, fairly easy access and a minimal amount of disruption to the scenery design. My true needs for an op session are for a couple of staged trains, say one in each direction coming into the layout and then later leaving. More staging lanes would be nice; however it would not allow enough room at the present location to fix a derail if that was ever to happen. I will keep all your suggestions in mind as I am still working on making design improvements.:tb-wink: Thanks, Jerry
Visiting Chicago sparks new ideas Vacation and work have been a temporary disruption to layout design and bench work construction. The break however gave me a new perspective and some ideas for improvement. I have also been studying Google satellite maps of the Chicago land area for scenic inspiration. The purpose of the layout is for modern day switching operations. The perspective I would like to achieve is a rail side view of a big city. I saw the need to downsize my large industries on the front wall and make room for an additional industry. It also worked out to add a plywood manufacturer and spur as part of the factory back drop buildings. Squeezing in more residential homes as part of the back drop scenery was also desirable. The track plan and scenery are nearing the final stages of design and layout construction has finally begun. Jerry
