Hi everyone . I'm new to the board and getting back into N scale after a 10 year break. I still have my rolling stock (all diesel - mostly 6 axle, lots of freight cars and one 10 car UP passenger train) and 16 Peco electrofrog turnouts. This layout I'm seriously considering building will be code 80 flex and Peco turnouts - mostly large radius. I want continuous running and some operation/switching. It is freelance anywhere USA. My road names are UP, BN, SP and DRGW. I have access all around the layout and will be using DC with a walk around throttle (saved that too). This is a modification of plan 77 from 101 Track Plans. The staging yards are not complete (need run arounds) and the loco service area/turntable is only "roughed in" at this stage. I will fix all that once it has been run for a bitand I know where the shortcomings are. Minimum radius is 12" and max grade is 2.1%. I'd love to get your comments/suggestions/improvement ideas as appropriate. Thanks, John [ June 03, 2005, 07:48 AM: Message edited by: JBT ]
Welcome to Trainboard John...Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie!. That plan looks pretty damn good, actually, considering your list of 'havent dones' above. The 3 track yard that connects top the main on the bottom left (just above your turntable) doesnt have a runaround (which you mentioned, I know), other than that its hard to say theres ANYTHING wrong with it I'm assuming theres some kinda big hill inside the loop on the left of the layout. You;ve got elevated track for a helluva long time there. No reversing loops, no S bends....nice!
As you've already noted the above, beyond that, it's looking very good. Please post up progress photos! Welcome aboard! And welcome back to active N scaling! Boxcab E50
It looks good to me. I see some things i'd change, but those are sort of personal taste items so I'm keeping my mouth shut.
AAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.. now back to normal programming
Thanks for the replies fellas. Disisme, are you living over there permamently or what? I'm thinking village/town, a station platform on the diagonal track and maybe a couple of road bridges off to the left of the layout or to put the two left tracks in a tunnel. Yes, the yard ends are a bit of a pain at the moment but I'll use the 0-5-0 to turn trains until I settle on run arounds and turntable/engine service arrangements. I won't be offended if you tell me about them They could highlight some problem or inspire me. Meaning what? [ June 04, 2005, 12:16 AM: Message edited by: JBT ]
you havent seen my 20 billion threads trying to find an INTERESTING 8x4 layout.. I started marking mine out yesterday.... Now Ive seen yours.... It looks BUSY to me... maybe a bit too much BUT I LIKE IT!? It looks to me like what happens to me, you have seen a bit of space and FILLED it with track.... Depending on what you are running, I would *TRY* to keep the radius to 14inch, just to make life easy, but then again thats one thing thats killing me.. The easier I try and make it, the harder life is. On the 4 lines at the bottom right, theres no way OUT of the 3rd one up.. it comes in from left, and thats it... if you drive in with a loco, it stays on the end of the train, may I suggest a way to shunt onto parallel line.... Similar with the 2 inside (6 up from bottom area) the main line at the bottom above the yard, they come in from the right, and thats it, no way out. Coming into that nice "Yard" area at the bottom of the plan, from left or right, the main line doesnt continue onwards as a "through line" without having to cross onto a parallel line, is that how you want it? My personal would have been to just make 2 lines contiune onwards as through lines, and have the sidings come off them? Or have it on the right as you come to the yards, the cross over to the lower line as you come in, sorta where you have the other lines cutting off inwards, instead of in the center of the board there, as you have this as your cross over to get back "out" to the left side of the board.. (you confused yet? I am.) Have you worked out your elevations yet? As to where they start, finish, etc??? But I DO like the basis of it. Very Sweet... Wish I could use these flammin computer progs to design things, Ive tried, but get nowhere fast. Hope you dont mind, I've copied it, and am playing with it in MS Paint, as its all I have a mums here... Heres my version http://www.geocities.com/vfr750fv/myversion.jpg I'm working that inner return to be around ~14inch min, and have scrapped the small spurs on the inner sections on the loops for now to allow some more scenery... The 5th and 7th line counting from the bottom, I would have freight buildings between the 2 lines maybe? (so remove the 6th line - have 2 instead of 3?).. but theres no way to shunt into it from the freight yard, without taking a run up the main, so maybe make them the run through, and the others as more yard tracks? </font>[/QUOTE] [ June 04, 2005, 02:12 AM: Message edited by: virtual-bird ]
nasty double post... : swear lots : Heres some thoughts.. http://www.geocities.com/vfr750fv/myversion.jpg But now see your post below this one, so will look again [ June 04, 2005, 02:14 AM: Message edited by: virtual-bird ]
Hey VB, go right ahead and use the plan and do what you want with it. Yes, I understand now what you meant after just looking at the threads covering your quest. I'd love minimum 15" radius but room, there ain't enough room mate To explain my theory regarding the yards at the bottom of the plan: They are for staging and storage of my trains. I tried a through yard but it gets too short toward the southern legs. The only things "set in concrete" about them and the turntable etc. are throats. I would have liked an extra track on each but there isn't enough room. I'm still undecided on where to put run around tracks etc. Think of those southern yards as east and west staging and that I have two trains set up on each (one spare track east and one west). A train departs east staging and goes onto the main stopping at the various industries or stations. It might do a few circuits of the main (or just one) and then ends at west staging nose in. Now a train leaves west staging and does the same thing or maybe stops on a siding somewhere. I keep doing this until all the east trains have ended at west staging and vice versa. End of play time. I'll just turn them by backing out and and then backing into where they came from or use the 0-5-0 (hand) to do it. That will save me a lot of money in turnouts for the moment Keep trying with XTrkCad. Although I'm hopeless with computers, I spent a full day downloading it, screwing around with it, followed the demos and then produced that track plan in a few hours. At least you find out what will actually fit The modifications I've done in MS draw below might clarify the elevations and where scenery blocks/buildings will be going (maybe). All the upper track is at 2.25" and all the lower track is at 0". The highest rolling stock I have are TOFCs and they will clear no probs. I won't be getting any of the modern era high stuff. Having fun and going mad planning this
I think you could if you sacrificed a little, it may make things look nicer as they go round corners I know what you mean.. kewl. I see issues with the lowest one.. you waste a lot of track gettin to the turntable, maybe move the points to the left end and go the other way round? If your going to run long trains, your passing tracks have to be long enough as well EG the center crossover?? I see what your thinking can relate to that I'm an IT contractor in Network Administration etc, worked for aussies biggest wine company, transport companies, marine and others... but I have NFI on graphic programs.. Never say WILL Kewl... I have everything, but will be uploading a LOAD of kit onto Ebay this weekend. thank you friend.. [ June 04, 2005, 02:43 AM: Message edited by: virtual-bird ]
I like your idea to widen out that top inner loop VB. I'm just a bit wary of ending up with a turnout hidden in a tunnel.............'coz you just know it will be the one to stuff up . BTW, the planned construction method is "cookie cutter" with 12mm ply. I did this construction style on a previous layout and it worked well for smooth grade transitions. John
yea true. Can I ask where the 12inch radius curves are? The ones I see are larger than that My board is built already, and not going to waste more $ on another lot of timber! I actually had not thought of using the "UP" line as the return for down! Talk about not seeing the forest for the @#$*)@#$ trees. 2 final thoughts, as you enter the freight yard on the right, you could come down further before turning to the 'west', that would allow you to have a longer run through yard? it would only allow very small strips off to the right, but could be perfect for a few industry buildings? again, only have a couple instead of 4? and, the lowest line south, if you moved the points to the left end, you could have a full length yard line there too, as you only need a short leader to the turntable... maybe move the TTable to the right a few inches, right, eliminate that short curve leading to it? or 1/2 it? Infact, as I see it there, the turntable is only really any use on 1 or 2 lines... HOG will run the rest. maybe save your $$ and dont have it there, but I do like them, I want one too! You said you were worried about points in a tunnel, can you maybe move them back, and use curved points? Now you have filled in what buildings you have planned, its great! Ive just sanded my board clear again.. IM going with this one Any chance you could email me the Xtrkcad file? [ June 04, 2005, 04:34 AM: Message edited by: virtual-bird ]
Get down to the timber store and start banging some wood John. The plan looks excellent. Btw, are you interested in going to the Toowoomba Model Rail exhibition on the 18 or 19 of June? We can car pool if you like.
VB: Email sent but you'll have to reply so I can attach the file. The inside loop (upper) on the left side is 12.6", the ones in the centre tunnel area are 12" and the ones just north of the right tunnel entrance are 12". I get a headache thinking about the yard/staging/engine service area at the bottom but it will work itself out with use...........I hope. UP Phill: I just might pop over to Bunnings tomorrow and order a couple of sheets of ply Toowoomba show sounds good. Saturday arvo (lunch O'clock departure after golf) or Sunday is OK but prefer Saturday. We can go from my place if you want to pop over here - interested in a wind in the hair (not that I have much) trip in the MX-5?
hmm...I thought it was beer oclock after golf, no matter what day it was, or what time you started! Wind in your hair in winter? Ye gods, you queerslanders are an odd bunch
I had a hunch that big yard area was a visible staging area for both east bound and west bound trains. Very nice touch, I would have done the same thing. Tha plan looks really good.
JBT: I like your adaptation of that trackplan. Welcome to the Trainboard... Stay cool and run steam.......
