Working out my N scale yard design. This will be the main area where cars will be classified. At some point I will put this in Anyrail to confirm fitment. I know its nothing like the prototype but I hope to get the flavor of it through a few scenes. There is a helix up to staging in the lower right corner. The tail/drill track #803 doubles as the branchline leading to Fontana via once around the helix to the wall on the right.
JP: Nice start. Might be a good idea to get this into CAD. If I may: You show 311 as a bypass which looks like it will be to the engine service area. That will be your sharpest radii which determines the fascia radii. With the 60" you have now, you will not be able to reach the 801 track in the corner. How far do those class track go after rounding the bend? You might be able to squeak out some room to the right - the 1st crossover from 801 to 802 stays as that gets you to/from A/D, the 802 to 801 crossover is probably not needed at that location. 3 A/D tracks look good on paper but might be overkill. You can only pull cars from one train out at a time up the 803 drill track. Maybe one east and one west A/D? There are no provision to have another train coming in while pulling something out of A/D to Drill on this end. You may even consider a double-slip from 802 to A/D. Sure 1:1 might not use these as they have way more space, but MRR's need every bit of room we can get. If this is a double-ended yard, you ( well, 2 yard engines ) can drill either of those A/D tracks from opposing ends which would be better from an operations standpoint. If the right side of the helix is against a wall, you are gonna need room to get inside of it because things always to bump in the night when dealing with helix's even if your track work is perfect. I don't remember track vertical separation for N scale, I assumed 2.5" and a 28 radii for the outside helix track - that is about 1.4% grade which should be fine. That leaves you about 26" diameter inside the helix to physically get in and be able to turn around; that is if you only have one helix track. The helix could possibly be a smaller diameter depending on if you have 1 or multiple tracks in it. I would not go much steeper than 1.8% and that depends on train length. I am 5'10 and would need 20" for shoulder fitment which would just squeeze me in scraping paint. Looking forward to the CAD version! Later
JP/All: I guess I should have given an example? The bottom ruler is a wall. I am 'right hand running', facing the main; West is to your left. Because of size/area constrains, this end is Diesel service and ready tracks ( not shown ), West Bayside is TT/RH and ready tracks. In the pix from Bypass to Main1: Bypass Caboose Class5 to Class1 ( through switch work ) AD 2 ( in this end ) AD 1 ( out this end ) Main 2 Main 1 This is HO Scale with XtrackCad using FastTrack templates. To the right not shown everything turns 90 degrees upwards. Bypass radii is 32" which makes the bench radii 29", Main1 is 57" with outer bench 60". My max train length is 20' so class tracks close to that. Drill is 20' to the left; sidings are at least 22'. Drill can happen when stuff is coming or going off the mains. At one time or another, I did figure out a way to have a movement going into AD, while a movement could come out of AD. That required more track spaghetti, couple of turnouts, another double-slip and a diamond. That still may happen, will know more as things progress. Later
Hey Todd, Yes, track 311 is the bypass to the other end and the reach to the back through double track mainline should end up around 36". Coupling and uncoupling should not occur back there, but I bet there is an operator who would create the situation. That 60" fascia radius may or may not stand. The curves will be pulled a bit forward out from under the upper deck so its not cave like. This is all at 48" with the upper deck at 62". I am debating if the classification tracks will be stub or not. Access from each end is ideal but there is of course restricted space for operators to work from and other elements I want included. My idea is the yard guy will work everything from the ladder I drew and road crews will deal with the power moves from the corner. There is a crossover junction to ensure a train does not end up on the wrong track heading up the helix. West bound must be on the outer track 802 and east on 801. Staging is set up in a way loco numbers can be easily read and seen as the trains will be staggered. Also as trains come out of the canyon I want there to be an option if tracks are occupied. It will help keep the flow for through trains. I may add a connection from the bypass to track 803 so a power move would be less intrusive to the yard master ops. Then the move would be swift without negotiating the classification ladder. I want three arrival/departure tracks to help keep things fluid. The only trains that will need to be completely classified are the three locals. Most mainline trains will have sections removed and replaced, power changed, and move on. I have run on a few layouts where the entire yard was utilized for both classification and arrival/departure which reduced yard moves considerably. The double track helix is plenty big enough and my 6'2"-250lb frame fits inside just fine. My challenge is getting my sorry but back up off the rolling stool. The grade is around 1.7%. I have to say about as its not perfect. The East Bayside yard drawing looks good. I've ran on a few layouts with a similar design and always enjoy it. I'm going back and forth on a caboose track. I would like to have them but may just stick with a more modern 90's plus approach. Shoot, I was even thinking of decaling a few UP locos with the SP bloodynose just for a twist.
Todd, I think you would have liked my old layout yard. Train length was only ten cars and the yard reflected it. Everyone enjoyed running this.
My west end of the yard as I see it now. This checks many boxes and helps keep the yard fluid. The yard leed doubles as the Fontana branch line and runs around the helix so there is plenty of space to shove long cuts for the yard master or the local engineer.
