This is an update of the Nickelcreek Southern RR. Due to work, home projects and other commitments, work has only proceeded as far as the benchwork construction. However, upon assembling the benchwork and preliminary drawing of the track on the benchwork, I have concluded that the design would have several areas that reachability would be a problem. So out came the research books and magazines. As I kept researching for the right plan, I kept coming back to one I always liked for its simple design and operational capabilities. It was designed by Robert Nicholson and published in Model Railroader's 48 Top Notch Track Plans (The Iowa Central). Even though it was done in S scale, I decided to adapt it to N scale. So I fired up the computer and RTS and now I have my plan. For those who have this book, you can check out the plan on pages 84-86. His plan was designed for point-to-loop operation, with continuous running possible via the connecting track at what he called Breda Jct and I am calling Marie Jct for my granddaughter. Also the towns have been renamed Elizabethtown (for another granddaughter), Charlestown (for me), Nickelcreek (for the founder of my railroad) and Susanville (for my wife). I will try to stay close to Robert's history and operations outlined in his plan. It would be too long to restate here, so if you have the book you will know what I am planning and it will also help me narrow my era, something I had planned to do for a long time. According to the author of the plan, he never built it, so this should be fun. Attached are two images for those who may not remember my original idea. The first is the old plan: Second image is the new plan: As always comments are welcome. Thanks, Charles [ 10. September 2003, 07:24: Message edited by: asab501 ]
Reach would be a problem in your first layout. Have you considered staging for underneath your layout. Even if it is track that is about 8 inches lower than the top deck; and is about 10 inches deep, you could get a lot of staging in that way. Personally I prefer rounded corners on everything; they make the layout look much more contemporary. So I would add small rounded corners on all the 90 degree corners you have on your peninsula and both sides of the wall units. Also round out the end of the peninsula, and maybe flair it a bit wider to give your track a slight angle outwards which might be visually more appealling when watching the trains run. There is another possibility and that is on your three large panels on the right of your first design, I think you could fit a nolix (see nolix reference) and thus your layout would be double decked, with over and under reversing loops on your left side. If you did that you would not use the middle peninsula. [ 01. September 2003, 02:42: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Charles- On the lower track plan, I see a small potential problem. If a train headed in, engine first via the lower leg of that wye, am not spotting an escape track for the loco(s). Otherwise, you'd have to back the entire train out again. It appears there is a crossover available for entries via the upper wye leg. Boxcab E50
BoxcabE50, Thanks and I think you're right. According to Nicholson's original plan a typical day includes the yard engine at West Anaphee (in my case, West Susanville which is the middle level) to begin rounding up cars for the westbound train. This will require several trips to downtown Susanville as various connecting roads make deliveries and industries call for cars to be pulled, spotted, and reset. Cars for the westbound are brought back to the yard at West Susanville several times and lined up for departure. Now since the industries will be simulated by wall flats along the very lower two tracks, I see the problem. This will be the 3rd phase of construction and will be a while before I get to it, so in the meantime I will work on a solution. I guess the easiest will be to provide an engine escape along the lower two tracks since that is where the majority of industries will be situated. Thanks.
