Thoughts needed on possible track plan change on the GD&R

Hi all,

For a few months I have been thinking about making a change to my track plan. I have not been too happy with the track along the bottom of the track plan seen below.




When I’m letting a train just circle the layout that part of the track is not used. It only gets used during one of my “operating sessions.” Trains circle the layout with I have my Grandkids visiting, Non-Model Railroaders visiting, and when I just what to see them run while I’m working of something else. Furthermore the two switches that are involved are hard to reach to operate. Yes I know that I can put switch motors or long reach ground throws on them.

The idea that I have come up with is seen in the image below.




It involves

• Adding some bench work
• Relocating (rebuild) the small yard
• Removing 2 online customers (I might get one back inside the new loop and the other can have cars go to the team tracks elsewhere on the layout.)
• Removing the “Y”
• Removes one passing siding
• Changing the method of operating

Cost is not an issue here since I have all the supplies that I would need to do this.

Any thoughts on this change are welcome. Please remember that I am only talking about the track at the bottom of the tack plan.

Thank you,

Gary

 

Well, I for one, like the new longer "loop" layout. You can alway fit something(roundhouse) in middle of that area via cross or use some switches or just make it a big valcano there...

 

Gary,
The only thing I would do is keep the old loop by adding a couple of turnouts. This way you could have a long loop and a shorter loop.

Paul

 

greetings Gary

my only question is about the reach in upper righthand corner.
looks like 40" reach at the very least, if i understand your grid to be 12" squares.

only 1 track to reach but is that one too many?

i also agree on adding turnouts to orginal to add longer loop.

best wishes!

another, Gary

 

Paul and Ken, Thanks for the input.

A friend suggested a reversing section be made from the loop.

Here is the revised plan based on the suggestions so far. Any others?

 

Gary,
You already have a reversing loop in the top right but a 2nd one would add some interesting routing capabilities

Paul

 

Hi Gary,

Yes that track is about 40 inches from the front, and to make it worse it is behind a raise part of the landscaping. With the help of a step stool that is kept in the train building I can get to that area with little problem, so far. Furthermore the landscaping is removable if needed (not much on the layout is permanent). That part of the track is "bullet proof" which means that section it is going to start giving me all kinds of grief since it has been there for years without any trouble.

Making the changes that I'm talking about will present the same issue in the lower right corner also. But it is something that I can work with. MAYBE!

Thanks

Gary

 

Hi Paul,

Yes there is a reversing loop in the top right, but it only works one way without backing up. since I run short trains , 5-6 cars that is really not an problem. Looking how I drew the line for the new one it works in the same direction as the top right. Maybe I need to rethink the direction of the new one so that trains going either direction can be reversed.

Thanks

Gary

 

Me too, it lets trains reverse in either direction without backing up.


I have thought about adding a second crossover closer to the left side to create another passing siding (about 3.5 feet long) as well as a third way to turn the trains.


Not sure I really need another passing siding since normal operation is 1 train. About the only time there are 2 running is when my oldest 2 grandkids are visiting.

Gary

 

I do have switches. They are left over NEW stock from a previous layout. Unfortunately they are not Peco, which I have use exclusively on the current layout. Since I took a early retirement without pension at this time money is short. I happen to have most if not all the building material needed to expand the layout as well as the track and road bed. I can use the switches I have and replace them one or two at a time as I have the resources.

Gary

 

Well do, just need to get started.

 

Hi Gary,
Going a step further and replacing the blob around the corner is an option too. I did on my old layout, it made quite a difference operationally.

I used like on your plan a 11,25" radius (and 24"wide aisles)
BTW, what is the purpose of the large yard on the bottom part?
Wish you luck with the build.
Paul

 

Personnally I prefer the first trackplan, ie the sample with the long "branch-line style" peninsula. In my opinion it gives greater opportunities for switching. But I understand you've to appeal non-modelrailroaders as well....

Som

 

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your input.

I like your idea, and it would work if I had more room in the room. It gives back the lost customers and adds the longer loop that I'm looking for. With some minor changes to your plan I could do something like you suggest. I would have to loose the two tracks at the bottom right corner to start with due to accessibility.

Some things I failed to mention in my first post (or any following) are

• The current track plan is operational at this time (click on image for larger view).

• I only have 10X12 feet to work in. The layout is in it's own building.
• On the bottom right side there is only 12 inches between the layout and the wall which has a window with an AC unit in it. All the rest of the layout is along the walls of the building.
• The door is located in the center of the 10 feet wall and swings out.
• There is a 24 X 48 inch desk that I use as a work bench that has to go someplace under the 15 inch area that the yard is on. The desk is somewhat moveable and can be tucked more under the new return loop area if needed. I can replace it with something even smaller that I have.
• I would like to work with material I have on hand, which for bench work is limited. I believe that I have all the wood I need for my proposed change.

Thanks,

Gary

 

Hi Som,

The "branch-line style" is one of the reasons I built that in the first place.

I have not committed to any changes at this point, :question: just getting doing some brain storming (bad idea)hboy:.

My current operating plan uses 3 trains (turns) to take care of all of the customers on the layout. Take a look at my Operating Plan on the railroad's web site for more information on how I operate the layout.

I normally work the railroad by myself since I do not know anyone in the area that is into trains. Except for about an 18 month period in the early 90's I have always worked the layout (or any of my layouts) by myself. It is a great way to get rid of the stress of life, but it can add some of its own.

Thanks,

Gary

 

Some advice on loops vs, branches.

I'm a member of a model railroad club that is 45 years old. The current layout is abput 40. That means it's a former spaghetti bowl layout that's been pruned back. It consists of two reversing loops and an overall loop, with a make-do operations system shoehorned into the middle of it. When Operating a layout, even a loop, all one has to do is set boundary points. an X. amount of your loop may be used as a tail track, and then they don't go past that point. On either side. And if you lay scenery right, you can make the loop look like a logical end of the line without hampering the tracks. The guy who runs our Ops is a bit bull headed, but I've tried to talk him into even using those loops as a single track staging, park a train back there for ops, and don't forget its there...

I guess I kinda like the less cluttered look of the branch track. I'm a little afraid you've stuck the penin out too far, and that the door won't open all the way. You may need to back it up afew inches and shorten the straights. Potentially, you could restore two industries into the center of that loop that you said you lost, since this is N and you don't need that much room for a switch