I've just been using the free download from Atlas (Atlas Right Track...or ATS). You can download it from www.atlasrr.com. Pretty simple to use and gives pretty descent results if you don't mind only seeing it in 2 dimensions.
Okay...based on feedback I've received so far in my other two threads, I've made some changes that I think make the layout better. First of all, I increased the width of the layout. It is now 36" for the majority instead of 24". To be safe, I went out to a 36" workbench in the garage and made sure I could easily reach the back of it without leaning on anything. No problem. The only thing shown in this picture is the mainline and hidden staging. I decided that these two items are the most critical and need to be addressed first. I also have passing sidings on each end of the layout. I'm working on industry spurs, but I think once I nail down the mainline and staging the rest will be pretty easy. So...let's get to it. Once again, I'm modeling modern day BNSF in N scale. One other note...the staging will likely be hidden behind scenery and not a backdrop like is shown on the drawing. I put that there just to show that it is indeed hidden staging. You can see the image below or you can go HERE for the full size version. Okay...let me have it.
Hoss, Your plan looks good to me. You have passing sidings, and with the other plan added in, switching. I don't think you'll regret the 15 inch curves, especially if you are running SD90's and the like. Your interchange track could be a barge area, with cars on the barge for interchange. BNSF has a barge facility here in Vancouver, BC which I have watched from time to time.
Hoss, That is a vast improvement especially now that you have a through storage yard rather than a stub ended yard this will enable better flow of operations. Why do you want to hid the yard / staging, this area would give you some great modelling araea and provide more space as you would not have to put a partition between the mainline and yard??? Actually I would place the yard where the south passing siding is and bring it to the front of the layout as it might be difficult switching etc in it's current position???? Look forward to seeing your final plan, the latest is a great improvement.
Thanks. I did some work on the switching and such last night but ended up going to bed before I finished it so I don't have anything new to post today. I wish I could fit curves with a larger radius than 15", but I just can't make the benchwork any bigger. I'll just have to deal with it. I know the locos and cars will handle the curves okay, it just won't look great. I like the barge idea, but it doesn't really work for the area I'm modeling (which is nowhere in particular....but wherever that is they don't have barges).
Thanks Colonel! I really wanted a through yard all along but never could figure out how to fit it in. Then a light bulb just kind of came on (with some help from a few other folks). The ONLY reason I've chosen to hide it is because if I'm going to model a yard I want it to be a BIG yard....and I don't have enough room on this layout to have a big yard without the yard just dominating the whole thing. I thought about putting a yard in that would start at the north end of the south passing siding and proceed south, but it would only be about 4 ft. long max and I plan to run trains longer than that. Plus, with a 7 month old that is growing up FAST, I was hesitant to put all of my rolling stock and locomotives right at the front edge for his grubby little hands to get at (even though it will be a few years before he can reach the deck height of 48 inches). It's still an option though. I don't guess anything is finalized until it's put down. When I do have a "final" plan, I'll put it up here for you guys to review. Thanks for the comments.
Your double ended through staging has me thinking how can I incorperate something like this into my layout. Very good idea without having to go to another deck for it. I tend to agree with your toddler fears. My littlest girl is three and is learning Daddy's trains are not toys, but sometimes my back is turned. LOL
Among the changes I made last night are what you can see on the staging yard now. Just by changing the configuration of the turnouts I was able to increase the length of the staging tracks. I'm still not sure what to do with trackage in the areas with question marks. Any ideas??
OK, just looking at this, and based upon the fact that your probably going to want branch lines into your question marked areas, I Think you need to consider the fact that you have a single mainline...so trains are travelling in one direction around the main or stopping in your passing sidings. With your statement that you intend to run long trains, I shudder to think of the operational difficulties of trains boming back onto the mainline 'against the flow' of traffic. Perhaps if you had your branch lines come off the passing sidings it wouldnt have such a large operational impact (envisioning the Addams family layout with 2 operators...). Take into consideration that you have no means of 'going around' with the loco on these branchlines, and you dont want to be 'pushing' a 4' train through 13.75 inch turns.
Hmmmmm.....well, I suppose I COULD run a double mainline all the way around. I was just trying to avoid having too much track. That would certainly open up some more possibilities. Opinions?
Just for giggles I decided to see what a double main would look like. I was afraid it would be "too much"...but it doesn't look so bad in my opinion...especially considering there will be a significant track elevation difference at the place where the tracks come the closest (at the turn). Still can't decide on how to arrange industry spurs. Any help on that would be greatly appreciated.
One thought that comes into mind- At the two ends of the layout, your inside loop must be getting a little smaller in radius. Probably down to near 12 inch. Could this be a bit tight for any of the rolling stock you propose to use? Boxcab E50
I like it but i do have one consideration, why dont you run the outside mainline around the yard then have an entry and exit point to both mainlines???
It's actually 13.75 inches, but aside from getting rid of the double track at the ends there's not much I can do about it. Unfortunately, 15" is as large a radius as I can go on the ends.
Hehehe....you're just TRYING to find a way to get that yard included in the layout aren't you!! I'd have to do some playing around with track to see if I could figure something out on that, but I'm sure it can be done. I kind of like that idea actually. It would give me double main operations but over the summit (which will be the area at the turn in the benchwork between the yard and the front side tracks) it would give me a single main appearance (which is more prototypical). Hmmmmm....you might be onto something Colonel. ON EDIT: Maybe something along these lines. I've changed the ends back to a single main to maintain a minimum 15" radius curve on the layout. The rest is still double main. The outside main goes around the back side of the three track staging yard. The inside double goes on the inside of the yard over the "summit". What do you think?? Am I limiting my operations by going with a single main around the ends?? [ 21. November 2003, 14:29: Message edited by: Hoss ]
I think this is one of those 6 to one/half dozen to another type of question. My answer would be that I like running as many trains as possible so I'd go with a complete double mainline all the way around. In fact, your layout design is quite similar to mine: http://www.boche.net/trains/8-9-03.gif Someone else will say they like your layout as is because it's more challenging from an operational standpoint. BTW, I like your yard, but are you planning on having any maintenance facilities such as a backshop or engine maintenance facility?
I'm kind of the same way. On one hand I it would be nice to have two trains running on the main while trying to handle some switching operations at the ends (there WILL be industry...I just haven't put it on here yet) without fouling the main and slowing down traffic. On the other hand, I don't want to look too cluttered from having too much track on the layout. The yard is really meant as hidden staging....it just doesn't appear that way on the drawing. It will likely be hidden into a deep cut in a ridge. The ends will be exposed, so perhaps it will give the appearance of having two yards (one on each end), but the center will be hidden from view. I may put some yard offices or something like that in....maybe an engine maintenance facility somewhere...but it won't be a fully detailed yard like what you're thinking. Gotta go check out your layout now.
