Hi All, I have been lurking for awhile and thought I see what you thought of my plans. I have just started on this design and will be looking for others input as I am a newbie. I have setup an web site so check it out --> My Site I am open to any input as to type of industries to add. Presently I am freelancing this design as I have no particular favorite RR. I am leaning towards the KCS. Thanks
Dwayne, I'd be a little leary of placing your main yard right over your room access point. Seems to me you'd be better off putting it on the opposite wall, where you've got that wonderfully long straight stretch for yard switching. I'm just afraid that anyone entering the room might stand up too soon and bump the railroad, derailing cars everywhere! I've done it myself, at an NMRA national convention tour too (fortunately, I didn't derail anything! ). I think having a narrow duckunder would be preferable to something quite a bit wider. Other than that, your plan looks nice! I'm looking forward to seeing more detailed plans as you come up with them. Pat
I agree with Pat, better to move the yard to the back wall. Also, I'm not sure I caught it and I don't know your age; but if you are contemplating a duck under, you would be better served with a swinging gate up or something like a bascule (sp) bridge, a bridge that raises and lowers. When you get older, duck unders loose their appeal, and some older folks can't do them any more.
Agreed as well. Another thought would be to have two smaller yards, maybe in opposite corners. Your overall yard capacity would be greater, and it would allow you to have more operators and add another dimension to operations.
I'm in agreement with the group in yard placement- a single track would be the best thimg there. Otherwise, the linear aspect looks fine. As for industries, you said you're leaning towards KCS. WHat part of the country are you most apt to model? I ask that because KCS serves the paper industry, poultry (Pilgrim's Pride over in Pittsburg has a large poultry feed mill), coal-fired power plants- and thatt's what I know about it chasing KCS from Poteau, OK south to Texarkana! Best thing to do is decide what part of the KCS you like to model, then model the industries on that part. If you were to ask me, personally I like the section from Heavener, OK south over the Rich Mountain grade down towards Mena and Dequeen, AR- no tunnels at all, but a grade that requires helpers on the real heavy trains (they're usually kept at Heavener. Plus, you've got the Ozarks and Ouachitas for scenery.
Thank you all for you replys. I did not want an duck-under but could not eleimate it and provide continuous running. The area at the duck-under is open staging 6eb and 6wb and one line for cont. run-thru, but I had not thought of someone bumping in to it and de-railing cars. I want to operate point-to-point but cont. run by myself. My present thought for switching yards were for 2 yard located in the area against the lower wall on opposite side of the door. I guess I'll ponder awhile on your suggestions and see if another revision will yield a better arrangement. I do have a preference for coal, wood-pulp industries. Thanks again all
One more vote - Put the yard somewhere else! If you can, avoid the "bump your head under". Good luck.
What about a loop to loop for continuous running? You could put a loop on either side of the doorway and eliminate the duck under. This could also be used to turn your trains and it would give the layout a point to point feel with the ability to run continuously. I would also put two yards on the side walls. Just a thought. Eric
Ok,here's my quarters worth. Keep the plan as you have but turn it 180 degrees.Narrow down the duck under to as small as you can get it. Raise the height to a minimum of 54 inches.This is a great viewing height and will make working under the layout much more pleasent. One more thing I would do is install a low clear plexiglas wall on either side of the duckunder for those unavoidable head bumping accidents.
Eric - I have been giving that some thought. Catt - If I rotate it 180 and narrow the bench area at the door, why not a lift-out or drop-down. Thanks all More food for thought.
