I've tweaked a few things... Changed one dbl-crossover to LH single crossover in the yard at bottom Removed the innermost track of the figure 8 at right, and adjusted things to simplify and open up that area for a small town scene, in addition to 3 smallish rail-served industries. Min radius is 11R, eased by a minimum of 12.375R. Also increased separation between the doubletrack climbing around the right end, and the right side of the figure 8 track inside it, for a better ground slope between them. Cleaned up the trackage at upper left, to increase separation from edge. It will be in a tunnel, open to the rear.
That looks more operable. I do like how the branch line is readily defined and totally separate from the main.
I wonder if you might gain a bit of room moving the dbl-crossover to the other end of the twin turnouts and putting in a right hand turnout where the double currently is planned. That would gain a hair more room on the left track side at the expense of the right hand side where you have a little more space.
The current location of the dbl-xover grants access to all three yard (right-end) tracks from both the yard lead/arrival/departure track (outside track around left ground-level loop), and the shorter track on the lower-left corner of the dbl-xover. If I move that dbl-xover to the right of the twin sngl-xovers, it consumes a lot more yard space on the two upper yard tracks to the right. If anything, I'd be more inclined to simply replace the double with a single LH crossover. But I can't slide it further left (since it is shorter) because the S-curve from the A/D track would be more severe than I'd like.* The double xover curves are ~28R, whereas the single xover curves are 19R. So I still need a straight section of track between the single xover and the 15R curve at the bottom of the A/D track. The yard loco will typically be parked on the upper left end stub of the yard (off the lower left corner of the dbl-xover) when not busy. Road locos just needing fuel/sand will park on the bottom left track. This arrangement means the yard cannot be effectively worked while a train occupies the A/D track that doubles as the main lead for the yard. I think I can live with that restriction. If I were hosting a guest operator, I might have a different opinion. Locos needing more maintenance will be on the dbl-track spur inside the left loop (I plan on a two track loco service building there.) A RIP track will be on the sngl-track spur inside the left loop, with an equipment shed nearby. I don't have a caboose track... I don't plan to model the eras that needed them, but I could add a caboose storage/service track off the RIP track, if needed. *I use a formula to mathematically compare the severity an S-curve transition between two curves of radii R1 and R2, to an equivalent transition from a curve of radius Req directly to/from straight (tangent) track: 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 or: Req = 1/(1/R1 + 1/R2) For example, an S curve between 15R and 19R is equivalent in severity to an uneased 8.4R curve and tangent track. But the double crossover (28Rs) adjacent to the 15R curve is equivalent to an 9.8R curve and tangent track. Thus the former needs a straight section between the 15R curve and the single crossover, whereas the double crossover can directly abut the 15R curve.
Wow!! On the math. Now that's amazing. Funny but I know that from experience. Without the math. Okay, maybe not. The equivalent's threw me off. Sounds like my Geometry teacher. And you are so right. Your conclusions of course. Now add into that some curved easements. Comet to think of it you did mention easements. Your math will get more involved and complicated, the more involved you get with a folded over dog bone. The fun and satisfaction you get from the layout will be worth the effort. Have fun teach!!
BTW, the two road-crossing sectional pieces, shown in the plan for my layout, are just for the re-railers built into them. The upper one will be hidden inside a tunnel (shown earlier, but not in the latest version), but the lower one, at the front of the layout, will probably be removed. I have a Kato re-railer ramp or two I use on any straight trackage as needed. Also, there are two short pieces of Unitrack to the right of the re-railer at top, that I will replace with a cut-down single piece (part of the reason for the miter box with fine-tooth saw I purchased recently.) There is a well-known technique for creating a shorter, custom length piece of Unitrack, by cutting a middle section out of the roadbed of a longer, standard-length piece of Unitrack, then sliding the ends together, and finally, trimming the rails to length. There's an excellent, detailed web page covering it, but from a vendor, so I can't post a link to it. Search the web for "How To Make Your Own Lengths Of Kato Unitrack". They also have a video of it, IIRC.
Fifer Hobby is a TB advertiser so I think it's ok...jmo https://www.fiferhobby.com/how-to-make-your-own-lengths-of-kato-unitrack/
I worked quite a few custom cut Unitrack lengths on my layout, including curves. As @fifer illustrates in his video, it's an easy process and nearly invisible if the cuts are carefully made. I used a Xuron 2175B rail cutter, a fine point marking pen, a mitre box with fine-tooth blade for the roadbed and a modeler's file to fine tune rail length and dress rail ends (if even needed). This process permits far greater freedom in track design. There's even a method to vary curve radius by making repeating cuts on both sides of the roadbed, which allows the track to flex. Slight gaps visible on the outside rail are then hidden with Kato ballast.
I implemented the latest changes to the layout (shown in the plan above) on my mock-up, and really like the amount of space I have inside the right-hand loop now. Nothing like seeing it full size in 3D to confirm what I was looking for. The left loop will be a diesel loco maintenance facility on the double tracks, and a shed of some sort (PikeStuff?) for the RIP track equipment. I'd like to find a heavy duty fork lift for the RIP track crew. Still trying to figure out what structures I'll need there in the right loop... I like several of the WS built-up structures, and already have a couple, ideal for a small town's business district. I'm thinking of a small town business district that hasn't changed much since the 60's, like the town square in Huntsville AR used to be when I was a kid (before Walmart came to town.) I like the looks of Easy Streets' Aged Concrete or Aged Asphalt streets, especially the ones with diagonal parking spaces alongside for the small town scene. I still remember Paul Harvey's joke about "having to lock their car doors now when they go to town now, or else somebody will fill up their back seat with Zucchini squash!" Mmmm, battered and fried, thin-sliced Zucchini at supper (with more batter than squash if it was done right!) Oh, yeah, back to trains... I have both covered and open hoppers, so something for them (cement/sand/gravel firm kit recommendations?) I also like tank cars and containers, but most of those will likely just have to be switched in the yard, and run on the mainline to & from "points elsewhere." I've seen a small farm center scene with a tank car full of liquid fertilizer on site. I kinda like the semi-rural aspect of that too. Maybe such a farm center would be good there, with farm equipment, fertilizer, etc. delivered by rail. I'll have to get another lefty crossover at the LHS. The old double-crossover is still there for now, between the mainline and the top yard track. The elevated trackage is all mocked up with viaduct trackage, which does not have all the curves available (namely 28R15), so the mockup will still have the old configuration for the tunnel trackage until I actually build the layout on terrain. The differences are pretty subtle. Still need to purchase the foam insulation board for it (the Corning "Pink Panther" stuff), but I have the WS foam incline starters already. The curved bridges around the left end will just be existing viaducts, but with the housings and piers painted black. My through-truss bridge is silver; still haven't decided if I want to paint it black as well. Of course, I appreciate any and all feedback, especially if you've used/done something I mentioned, good or bad.
Andy, I like the double crossover on the lower left of the plan. It makes it much easier to get a string of cars out of or into the two yard tracks at the bottom of the plan. If you make that a left hand crossover it will make moving cars much more difficult. Your plan for engine service and RIP in the left loop sounds real good to me. It will make a nice scene and add lots of interest. I can't think of any appropriate industries requiring hopper cars for the spurs in the right loop. Since that will be a town area industries that would be supplied by flat cars and boxcars would seem to make the most sense to me. I'm not sure of what kind of industry would need either open or covered hoppers. If you were modeling the 1960s or earlier a coal dealer would make sense.
Joe, The double crossover shown in the latest view will not be replaced with a single crossover; your analysis is correct that its function is too important. I was referring to the former view, where the upper of the two crossovers (to the right of the current double crossover) was a double also. A double there would support the use of the top yard track as an A/D track, in addition to, or instead of, the outer curve of the left loop. But using that upper yard track as A/D eliminates a third of my yard's capacity. Also, the longer double crossover consumed another 4-7/8" of the third track compared to a single crossover (it is 2-7/16" longer than a single crossover, and another 2-7/16" of the bottom right leg of the left-hand single crossover is effectively yard space, not so with a double. Dry grains & beans, seed, plastic pellets, dry chemicals, etc. are shipped in bulk via covered hoppers. Sand/aggregate is shipped via covered hoppers (short ones, due to density.) Coarse aggregates can be shipped via open hoppers. Of course, box and flat cars will also be used for various products. At a small scale rail/truck transfer operation for just about anything, with little more than a team track and a shed, you might see just about anything that runs on the rails. I've seen here, IIRC, a rail-served farm/ranch store modeled on a layout, at the edge of a small town. Small cement/concrete plants are fairly common too. A small propane retailer. Lots of options! I'm less concerned about era (1960's-current?) than having fun. If I like it, and have room for it, it'll be on my railroad. Small towns are practically deserted these days. I'd just like to see what one might look like if it were still viable: a mix of contrasts; old and new, quiet and bustling, etc. But thanks for your questions, suggestions, etc.! It does me, and the process, good to organize my thoughts well enough to hopefully communicate them to others.
Update: Well, we're moved into the new house, but it's going to be a while before my dance card has room for the new layout, let alone terrain, et al. Space is reserved for it, approved by SWMBO, in what will also be my/our office.
That's some good news Jake. I know moving is never fun but worth it if your getting a good spot for the trains.
We just moved a month ago so I fully understand your situation. I just started working on my new layout but I still have plenty of household projects left to do so I’ll only be working on it intermittently for another month or so. You’ll be settled in before you know it and then you’ll have plenty of time for model railroading.
