Another thought. If you moved spur four to spur five Shortened the oval by the length of the straight part of the turnout You could run a line off the end like the “grey line” on my plan. I expect with your skills you could achieve all of your intentions. [ 14. December 2004, 22:49: Message edited by: Grey Gryphin ]
I have a scrap piece of wood. I just need to saw a couple of openings. Problem is it's like 20 degrees outside. I'm not sure what you mean with the grey line, is that the outer loop in your picture? If you meant a something other than an interchange track please explain. I was just going to replace the 28" radius easements with #6 turnouts on that end for expansion. Thanks, Loco1999
My "Grey Line" is the line that starts on the far left off the curve and travels the length of the back of the layout. You might be able to take some thing like that and do anything from a one ended staging area to a reverse loop with a yard on the inside. It is easy for me to make these suggestions because I don't ave to bulit it.
Your two magnetic uncouplers you have in staging schould be at the other end so that you can uncouple the cars and still use the engine.
Thanks Guys. Those are expandable track pieces. I ran out of short straight track. Ok, I cut it..... It needs some work... Ingnore the structures. Had to bend 2 spurs.... Just trying to get an idea. I'll move some track around and see. Now I have a reach problem. I can always rip the board smaller. Loco1999
Thanks, That may be the answer. Or just a short ridge that hides the back area from track level. Or elevate the back like the old plan. Any other ideas? Loco1999
Loco1999: Create a mountain range that runs the length where your scenic divider will be placed. Make the height of the mountains about 10 inches, which translates into three hundred + real feet high. That will give you the depth perception you need. A scenic divider can't give you any feeling of depth at all. I would also raise the mainline track in the back as well about 1 1/2 -2 inches. Stay cool and run steam.....
Same question - why raise it? That would be either a 4% rise for a shorter length, or a nicer 2% for half the length. I don't think there's room to make it look right. Otherwise, looking good.
GG: You could look at the layout from the opposite side as well. Most scenic dividers I've seen have different scenes on each side. That's the purpose of a scenic divider. I prefer not to use a divider as I think scenery can accomplish the same thing as a divider if it's properly planned out. Stay cool and run steam....
I missunderstood. I was under the impression that the rear tracks were for staging and would not be seen under normal operating condtions.
Thanks for some more ideas. GG, That was the plan. But now I am not so sure. I will try some other options without the divider and see. More to come.... Loco1999
It looks good. Can you put the layout on casters so it can roll out from the wall when in use? Staging doesn't have to be sceniced but it would help if you could get access when doing switching Maybe even just have some long storage tracks on shelves on the back of the vertical panel for train storage and easy transfer between track and storage or vice versa.
Ok here goes... 1. The little (cont.) line on the upper right. Have it come off the main at the left corner and run all along the back edge, this way it becomes an interchange track where you store whole trains of inbound cars that need switching on your industries. 2. the other (cont.) line on the front edge. Have it make a 90% turn and then have a short straight section so that it ends near where you have the other (cont.) line right now. Put some asphalt passenger platforms on thses curves and use the long spur to store a passenger train. This way you can add some more through traffic by running passenger trains around the layout. i noticed that you do both steam and modern on your layout. Perhaps the long passenger platfrom area can be used as a TOFC, or autorack, loading spur when not being used for passenger service. I know it isn't completely prototype, but if you fill the asphalt with trailers or cars you don't even need the laoding equipment or cars on the layout to give the impression of what gets done on that spur. Plan B: Another option is to see how much space you can get along the front edge by pushing back the back edge of the oval. Maybe you can squeeze a pair of long spurs and a engine facility along the outside front edge for a mini yard area. You might be able to get a double engine house in there. without influencing what is happening inside the oval design wise.
