Hi I'm building CCTC locomotive 2101 and I want to build a small switching layout based on the Central California Traction Co, or just for operations. I've seen this layout "the palmetto Spur" on Youtube and I want to make a layout sort of like that. does anyone have any ideas as to what I can do or build, or some track plans I can look at? I'm working with about 15"(Width)x60" (Length) it could be more if needed. This is in HO of course.
Hello, What about a small switching layout based on the inglenook plan. Just search the web for Wymann ShuntingPuzzles Inglenook for more Information. In original size the inglenook is able to give more than 6000 train settings to be build up. A lot of operational potential for a layout with only 2 turnouts. all aboard Winfried
hi Dean, though the following plans are based on the Pacific Electric, a part of their design could be used for your plan: The PE by Bruce Petty and the PE by Byron Henderson. To me the Lodi area seems very interesting. I do not completely understand your initial question however. You found what you were looking for: the Palmetto. The plan is straight forward, a lead with 2 or 3 spurs; just like on the Eaglenook puzzle. The tracks for the wineries in Lodi do have the same configuration. Smile Paul
Look through Carls Small Layout Scrapbook http://www,carendt.us - if you can't find inspiration in there you really "Arendt" trying Seriously - Mal has posted Palmetto on RMweb http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/ and Big Blue/The gauge http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/ - so there is plenty of info available
Ooh, I really like the idea and concept of this layout, would look great, looks like the perfect track plan. Only if I had that much space. I was looking through that before and hmm.
I guess it depends on what you mean by "it could be more if needed" and "sort of like that". If you want to build a fixed layout (without removable switching leads etc) 5 foot long in H0 scale, and you want to use modern cars (which usually are fairly long - an 89' car is about 12.2" long and a 60' car is about 8.2" long in H0 scale ) - you quickly realize that to be able to pull one car from a track and put another car in, you need a bit of length: If you can cut out turnouts (using a traverser or sector table), you can save a bit of space. If you can add a removable switching lead, you can move the turnouts right up to the end of the layout and get more track length for RR cars. Using small switchers locos and 40' cars (transition era, not modern era) one can fit quite a bit of layout into 5 feet of length: Or a little bigger (like 6 feet long): And when you get up to about 8 feet long, you have ample room for switching layouts with small locos and 40-foot cars: http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp124/steinjr_1965/forum/generic01.jpg But it all boils down to what you want to run and how much space you actually have available. For small switching layouts every inch matters. Smile, Stein
hi Dean building the passing siding of the Orphan Branch can be done in your space. The mission is included in the plan, though not at the right spot. I would consider the use of a removable cassette, so you do not need to allow space for a yard lead. smile Paul
Perfect, we have a winner. Thanks Paul. I'm really fond of this track plan. As soon as I complete the engine iI'll start ASAP on its home
Paul -- As always, a very nice plan. How about tweaking it a little by shifting the main part of the plan a foot left and then moving the cassette to the other end (or equivalently shifting the plan a foot left and then mirroring the main part of the plan right-left), so the industry with the shortest switchback lead past the runaround is the orange packer (which branches out from the middle of the runaround) instead of the OJ plant and lemon packer? Something roughly along these lines: Hmm - just to add it - in this case the track on the left goes towards the junction and the interchange, while the cassette is not staging, but represents the end of the industrial spur, being a switchback lead for switching the two industries at upper left, and maybe having a team spot at the very end of the cassette - representing the Sepulveda Boulevard team track. The cassette could also be a removable triangular layout section and be scenicked - with the section being stored on a shelf above or below the rest of the layout when not in use. Smile, Stein
Thank you. I just wish I had Paul's (or Byron's) excellent sense for planning and visualizing scenes - i.e. not just the tracks, but how the tracks fit into the rest of the scene. Guess that is the difference between being a somewhat competent engineer and being an artist. Smile, Stein
hi gentlemen, beside some blushing i want to thank Stein for the remark about inches that do make the difference on a small industrial switcher. Between brackets is the number of cars that can be placed on a spur; on the tail the number of cars beside the engine. You should check it out for your situation. Some variations: the length of the red tail in the upper drawing is just over 18" ; just enough for two 40-ft cars and a switcher. Smile Paul
Valid points, Paul. I wasn't so concerned about the 18" up to the second turnout as I was with the 12" or so to the left of the first turnout. But they will all work. Smile, Stein
Umm - not totally sure which variation you consider the last one, but doesn't much matter, I guess - the important thing is to start building and trying it out. If you like it - great - if not, just tweak it a little. With a layout this size, it is no problem adding on a little or removing a little, or moving the tracks a little this way or that way or whatever. Smile, Stein
