Greetings, I’ve been browsing this board awhile now and really enjoy it a lot. I’ve developed a layout using XtrkCad and have it basically running using Unitrack. I say basically because I lack a few track pieces before it can be completed and so far have only one “detection block”. As we just put the track together we haven’t yet experimented with the switching options. It’s certainly lacking is yard area, where else? Would you be so kind as to make suggestions, remarks and comments of any sort about the track plan itself? I have a reasonably thick skin so no worry about offending me. I’m really trying to learn how to set up blocks so I can do signaling and such. But even more I want to use the block detection to be able to run more than one train per track - without incident of course. An NCE command station is controlling the layout; i.e. a PowerCab with added PH-Box.
The only real 'switching' options you have is for passing sidings and crossovers. You only have one twin-stub end siding. If you main interest is watching the trains go roundy-round, you have a good track plan for that. I can see where you might be able to run 5 or more trains at one time! The usual comment for layouts like this is that after a short while, you may become bored just watching the trains go around and want to do some real switching (picking up and setting out cars on sidings). There isn't too much opportunity to add additional sidings for switching purposes. This is neither bad nor good; it really depends on what you want in a layout. As you stated, there is no yard. It may be possible to put a yard on an extension at one end of the layout if you have some extra space. If you want to be able to turn trains around, connect the yard extension to the outer loop using two tracks forming a wye. The yard extension would give you a reason to run trains into a yard, break them up, make up new trains and send them around the loops and the wye would allow you to send them in either direction. A yard need not be very wide, but a longer length would make it more interesting. You could also have a staging area behind the yard on the extension. Then you could have trains already made up in advance to move onto the layout when desired. The staging could be hidden behind some industrial-style buildings or even a hill. It's probably not a good idea to put staging in a tunnel since you would want to make up new trains by hand in the staging area. Hope these comments help. Darrell, quiet...for now Using this layout to learn signal operations should be fun! That alone could be worth building it!
Greetings Darrell & All, Thanks for the comments. Our proposed block insulator locations are marked on the original track plan post with red lines and chars. It would be helpful to receive comments on our proposed block insulator locations. Signaling is a secondary goal - the primary desire is automation, using computer if necessary. We have installed and explored JMRI. It still appears we need hardware for the actual detection. Unless diode type detection alone is used this will get a bit expensive. So it would be great to get input from experienced people. here. Only detectors I've yet tried are the NCE BD-20. These work fine it appears - we have experienced no difficulties. However we are searching for a more suitable detector. I attached a photo showing the current state of the layout, as of right now. All three mains running, no connection between dog bone and outer loops as we lack track parts. Parts also missing in upper left - on plan. But 3 trains run and 6 switched function remotely. All comments appreciated.
Jim: As you probably know, if you follow your plan as drawn, you will be able to run 2 trains continuously and separately on the loops connected with the double crossover when all turnouts in the Dbl X-O are straight. You could run a 3rd on the dogbone. Throwing all 4 turnouts of the Dbl X-O will let you run 1 train continuously on a Grand Loop while running a 2nd on on the dogbone. You will have no yard, interchange, or staging options except perhaps in the middle. Turnouts at the back (top) of the layout have electric motors to save yourself from a long reach. It appears that tracks are about 2 or 3 inches from the edge of the shelf. You've indicate you want more switching and operating options, I've put together this variation with several cautions: 1. It will be harder to reach tracks at the back of this variation than at the back of your plan. I'm hoping you will have access from at least the front and both sides. It will not be impossible to operate with this variation on your plan with a long reach, but ideal reach should be closer to 24 inches than to 36 inches...and my variation requires reaching to 2 turnouts at the back of a 39 inch deep layout and to a pair of double crossovers 33 inches from the front of the layout. Motorizing these distant turnouts would be very helpful. 2. I've positioned track closer to the edge of the layout (about 1.5 inches, 3-4 cm). 3. My plan does not follow the usual prototypic practice of taking the main line through the straight portion of a turnout, and the diverging route through the curved portion of the turnout. Instead, I've eliminated all S-curves except those in the Double X-Os. This has lengthened sidings and will yield higher reliability in yard movements during operations. I've tried to maintain the 3 separate loops of your plan, and add several features: 1. 2 tracks at the back to simulate a yard or interchange (possibly hidden if you can arrange a little more depth to the layout (maybe 2 to 3 inches, 5-8 cm). These tracks could provide all cars for your outbound trains departing from the second track up from the bottom of the plan. 2. Engine facilities are in the lower right corner and also a 2nd engine facility in the center. 3. There is a 2 or 3 track yard (and caboose track) in the right side central area. 4. There is a run-around track and a reversing loop in Loop C. 5. There are 4 industries on the left, 3 accessed directly from the run-around track, and a 4th only by a switchback movement (which could probably be eliminated if it was accessed from the bottom end of the run-around instead of from the top). 6. I've added a 2nd Double crossover to provide an option of making a Grand Loop that covers all 3 loops instead of just 2.
All turnouts are about #6 or 18 to 19 inches radius. All curves are minumum radius = 12 inches. The reversing loop could be eliminated if you are willing to set up a long yard lead that has a radius of 10.5 inches.
Hi Dave, Wow! Thanks for your time and effort. I really appreciate it very much. I've saved your message and drawing and also printed a copy. This will allow study. I'll try and incorporate your enhancements into the XTrkCad drawing. This makes is easier to study more and actually build, for me and my crew anyway.
Hi, It seems I couldn't quite squeeze in the suggested changes. But have a somewhat revised plan which is mostly built. Could be revised any time. Am currently waiting for #4 turnouts. The table is 83 x 40 inches and I prefer to keep track a couple of inches from the edge. Comments welcome.
My own opinion is use the inside for a yard and switching. Will you have access all the way around? A 3 foot stretch is quite a ways.
Greetings Grey One, Thanks for the comment. This likely will only be a temporary layout, we shall see. We have the table on sliders and short carpet, so it's fairly easy to slide around. Typically we will keep the table against the wall.
Based on the first version, three things came to mind.... I'm not sure if the placement of the double crossover immediately adjacent to a curve. It seems to me that it could aggravate the problems with the inherent S-curve in the double crossover. The curves, especially on the interior loops seem like they may be a bit sharp. That may or may not be a problem depending on the lengths of the cars and locomotives you want to run. The third problem you seem to have eliminated in the revised version...the placement of the thru-truss bridge immediately adjacent to a curve. Those bridges are pretty narrow...without a very broad curve on the approach, and/or straight sections between the curve and the bridge, there could be some bridge clipping problems with longer equipment. If I remember right, there is a warning about this on the back of the bridge packaging.
Regarding the newest version... There's only one connection to the inner figure 8. With no way out and no way to reverse, a train will have to back out of that section if it headed in.
Greetings, Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated. Some of the inner curves are 11". I've tried mixing larger radius pieces in when I can. I mostly run 40' cars but run a variety of locos. So far they seem to be ok. I don't even posess any of the 9.75 in curves and have avoided the #4 turnouts until recently. I just have one #4 and am really impressed it seems to be at least a bit higher quality than the Unitrack #6. Very good on the bridge. I hated to lose it but will hopefully be able to use it another time.
Howdy, Thanks for the comment on only one entrance and the requirement to back out of the figure 8. That is rather pitiful. Worked a bit last night to add another connection near the bottom, but didn't yet get that done.
Actually, the Kato #4s have a bit of a rep for being quirky...and the #6s rep is pretty much for being bulletproof. Many avoid the #4s all together. If I recall, John Sing has a review of correcting the #4's problems on his web page.
