I got such a warm welcome from y'all that I thought I'd post a sketch of my future layout to get some feedback. Remember this is only a sketch... things will change. minimum mainline radius is 15"... 12" hidden each square on the graph paper equals 6" staging will be below table level. Hey... look at that... it worked!!! Let me know what you think! D6 [This message has been edited by Deep Sixx (edited 28 November 2000).]
That looks pretty nice!! I like the way it would wrap around the controller!! Way cool! ------------------ Craig Martyn Best Looking Models Around Custom detailing AND N scale detail parts. BLMA N Scale Detail Parts BLMAinfo@aol.com
I am the "OFFICIAL ISLE GAUGE" for my N-Trak Club. I'm telling you right now, 2 1/2 feet is not wide enough for your pit. You'll need to add AT LEAST one more foot clearance. Now, don't let your "House Forman" know this, but it will also add more mainline. Yep, you better negotiate for more easement on your Right-of-way. ------------------ Brent Tidaback, Member #234 BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot! Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners! The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF [This message has been edited by Maxwell Plant (edited 29 November 2000).]
Looks good! I would recommend curves as wide as you can go. 15" is not bad, but even wider is better. 6 axle locos, larger steam locos (watever your running) and longer rolling stock may struggle some on those curves, especially the 12" hidden ones. The return loop on the top left could be much wider if you were to have it pass over or beneath the mainline just below it on the graph, plus elevation changes add to a layout visually as well . Russ
Thanks guys for the quick replies. Maxwell: Unfortunately that's all the room there is... and I'm REALLY pushing it right now . The narrow isle doesn't really bother me as the layout will be accessible from all sides except the 15' rear. If nothing else, I can sit in there and pop my head up to watch the trains run. Russ: that return loop is giving me the most problems. All that track back there (the blue and red) is elevated above the rest of the layout. It's the mountain and the tunnels go to and from the "rest of the world"... I can hide trains in the tunnel. I don't like that 12" curve either... I can maybe push it to 15". All of the other curves are 18-19" except the yard entrance & exit which are 15". I can probably open that return loop up to 15" if I get creative. The green track will be in the steel mill with 9 3/4" curves... off limits to the big mainline locomotives. The long trains (ore/coke/etc) will be dropped in the yard and taken into the mill by switchers and 4 axle engines. Loads of steel will be brought out and arranged in the yard to be sent away. My wife insists that the steel mill be either Stelco or Dofasco. We lived in Hamilton for 3 years while we were engaged so they have a place in our hearts. Besides... blast furnaces are COOL! Gotta love anything that puts out a 200 foot high exhaust flame Thanks guys for the suggestions... anyone else forsee any problems? D6
D6 your layout is looking good actually it reminds me of my layout as I have a single loop that dogbones over itself. One comment though is storage, storage, storage, you need as much storage yards as possible. I would also suggest the grade is kept to a maximum of 2%. Will you have access to the hidden staging yard? It can be quite difficult having hidden staging yards to operate. The yard at the front will it have more than one siding? It can be an advantage to have open storage as this is what happens in prototype. Well enough of my negative comments the idea of a continous loop with the added advantage of being able to enter and leave through staging is an excellent idea. One other operational point is to consider havning an area where you can switch industry or the yard while you run the loop? By doing this adds interest rather than watching a train go round and round. Having a closer look at your plan I would have the "from staging" exit continue into the yard without connecting to the mainline otherwise you will need to stop trains on the mainline to allow a train from the staging yard into the yard/industry. The train could enter the mainline on the exit of the yard by doing this would enable you to switch the industry and yard to the staging yard without effecting the mainline Good luck ------------------ Regards Paul Cassar-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000 [This message has been edited by Colonel (edited 29 November 2000).]
Maybe i should have remembered what you said in your other thread! I forgot you were modeling CP... [This message has been edited by tunnel88 (edited 29 November 2000).]
I might suggest something to think about. Where you have tracks that are elevated above grade like on the mountain, you then must have the staging yard at grade below. You can raise and lower an access panel that looks like the side of the mountain to reach under to re-rail a car or whatever. Then raise the mountain side back up. This was done at a show and worked well. They mounted the almost vertical panel on long arms under the table, and pulled a fishing cord to raise the pannel. It was counter balanced. Another thing they did, was use the black Gardener's mesh,(like plastic screen wire but smaller net) to cover the panel. The panel was like a picture frame, so light weight. Trees bushes and light spray paint colored the panel. In under the mountain you would mount some lights. With the lights on, you could see through the mesh, with lites off you could not. If needed, you could lower the panel, but most time all you wanted, was to know if a train was in there or not. Flip the lite and find out. Enjoy!! ------------------ Watash
D6, first, how did you get the image to be on the forum?? I would like to the same thing with mine!! Second, your layout and mine will be sisters !! The wide island on the left side will actually be in the middle of mine making it an E shape. I too will have some curve trouble (radius at the run around track is 11") , but when that is all the real estate you have... Good luck and Happy Modeling!! John ------------------ The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!!
Thanks Guys for the comments... I appreciated it. Colonel: Good idea... I'll split that interchange and allow the main to run free of the yard, but have a crossover to allow it to enter if needed. Watash: The staging tracks will be below table level, so all I have to do is reach under the table to get at them... good idea about the light though. I honestly hadn't thought of that.... I like the see-through mountain idea, great idea for the mountain track. Watash: I have a website, to which I uploaded the picture. Then type: If you don't have a website or a server, e-mail me a pic and I'll upload it to my server and e-mail you the URL to post it. D6
Control will be DCC once I get a few locomotives going... and finish Christmas shopping. For now I will use normal DC control... no blocks, just 1 control and 1 locomotive. This will be basically to test the trackwork. I'm looking at the Atlas Master DCC system for control. It seems to be the best value for a layout this size and it's compatible with most Digitrax and Lenz decoders. D6
Good luck with the layout, D6. The planning stage is always exciting, as ideas are formulated I wish I had gone for DCC at the outset. Now I have to spend lots of cash on retro fitting all my locomotives with decoders ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
If I understand your layout, and I may not, then the 12 inch curve is elevated, or could be elevated. You could easily make it 15 0r 16 inches if you make a small tunnel of some sort under neath for other loop (where the top loop would overlap the bottom loop). It would not have to be a very long tunnel...maybe six inches or so.... Just a thought
Another thought.... To make your lay out look a little more contemporary why not round out all points of the rectangles on the benchwork...have no angles anywhere but instead flowing curves...so the one part jutting out would look more like a peninsula....
Yup, all that coloured track along the 15' side is elevated. The blue track is a tunnel, the red is exposed. I looked at the floor tonight (track plan is drawn full size in chalk on my basement floor!) and I think I can pull it out to 15"... that'd make the minimum radius for the entire layout (except the steel mill) 15". Should work all right. Round the corners off? I never thought of that... that'd look nice, and no sharp corners to walk into! D6
All my baseboard edges are curved, and it certainly makes a difference to the appearance Although all mine are internal curves, as the layout is around the walls, with a fairly small operating well. ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
I went to the Atlas website and read about their new Master DCC, It said right now it isn't able to support multiple consisting, meaning running an Atlas and a Kato at the same speed. Also, I had trouble with their "powerpac", went through 4 of them (warrenty thank God) so I don't trust their circuitry. If you want the most for the least go with MRC Command 2000 just my 2¢ worth ------------------ espee2 Railroading in Southern Oregon www.tunnel13.com layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale
Actually, it does support consisting. The instructions on how to do it are right on the website as a Word file. D6
I'm sorry, I didn't read that... I read the FAQ page about half way down... ..."DOES THE COMMANDER SUPPORT ADVANCED CONSISTING? At this time, the Commander does not support this feature. However, we are working to add this as an upgrade for the future."... anyway, I am werry of their product... I love their locos, but not their powerpacks BTW nice layout plan ------------------ espee2 Railroading in Southern Oregon www.tunnel13.com layout: SP's Newberg Branch in N scale
