So I have an L shaped space the main length is seven feet and the lower part of the L is roughly 4 feet the depth is about 2' plus or minus here and there. Right now I have a small N scale layout with two main lines some switching and an attempt at a yard. Actually waaaayyyy too much trackage that is getting out of hand. I also have quite a bit of HO in boxes and have found after spending quite a bit of money that I really really miss my HO stuff. What I was wondering is has anyone seen a good engine yard with industrial type switching done in this space? I've seen some of the plans in 101 trackplans at the begining of the book and was wondering if there were any others out there that I might be able ot find. I like the idea of small model railroads and think I can work up a pretty cool HO layout in this space and keep my N scale stuff for a nice little 2 x 4 layout in so my kids can se the trains go 'round. Any Ideas??? Suggestions??? Thanks
Hi Jman. Check this link out: www.modelrail.us There's a loco shops layout there that might give you some ideas to start with. What features are you trying to incorporate into your space?
I'd like to be able to model a pretty good portion of the actual engine yard staying in the late 50's to mid 60's. I'd like to be able to display my engines (I totally love engines). I'd also like to be able to have a small yard to make up and break apart trains with perhaps a few industries to switch as well, maybe making it a puzzle type switching area to keep it fun. I've seen some people really shrink the timesaver on Carl Arendts (sp?) web page and might try that route for the switiching but it's the engine yard itself and trying to find some different approaches to modeling one in a small space that would be operational and fun to play with (yes I said I play with my trains. lol)
Jman: Lay out the track in that space and make your own switching layout. That's what I did, when I planned the switching yard on the JJJ&E. Stay cool and run steam.......
I think I'm gonna have to sit down with the engine yard book as well as a few of the other books to see just how things might be able to be put together. One of the things though is how would you work it all. I mean if the point of a railroad is to move cars loaded with goods from point A to point B then how would a model railroad work if there were more engines than cars to be moved around. Would you work the engines around just like you might work rolling stock around? Make-up repair lists and fueling problems and then work on getting engines from one track to the next? Anyone ever approach model railroading from that aspect? With our love of engines I've always been surprised we don't see more of the "Engine yard puzzle" type small layouts.
I would love to have the space to do a large engine facility. I would use for "display storage" and not for operations. Who knows, maybe some day the GN Orange / Olive and CP Multi Mark will share a large facility on my layout. As it is I probably have 12 to 15 feet, (and growing), of engines which is modest compared to some.1 Edit: Don't know if pics of engine maintanced at work is of interest but: SD60 being lifted [ March 31, 2005, 08:25 PM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
Cool picture, I saw an engine lifted by the same means on a stretch of track through the Banning Grade in SoCal. It was pretty amazing to see this engine in the air like that.
Jman, It took a little time but I was able to dig up my MR 48 Top-notch Track Plans book because your post got me thinking that maybe I saw a plan in it. Well my memory served me well because the book does have a engine facility track plan that utilizes one 4x8 sheet of plywood. The plan is based on a transition era facility but I believe that it could easily be updated to a more modern era. The original plan follows and one that I modified by adding a short stub ended yard. The modified one is probably outside your space requirements but with the use of a mirror at the edge of the stub ended yard it could make the yard look full size. If nothing else maybe the original and my spin can get you thinking. Original as published by MR, author Russell Schoof: Original Russell Schoof plan with modifications that I added. Hope that helps with your original request. [ April 01, 2005, 12:51 PM: Message edited by: The Arrow ]
Thanks for that. I like the addition, not sure if I have the space for it like you've redrawn it but it has given me an interesting idea. I think this weekend the N scale layout is gonna come down and I'll start playin' with the HO track along with a pencil and some scratch paper to see what I can come up with.
