Hi everyone. After messing around with my straight shelf design for months, I gave in and added a 4x8 design to it in the middle from a MR trackplan called the "St. Louis Central." Now I can do some continuous running (the big blank areas in the 4x8 are for a bunch of buildings either side of the road) AND have a yard and a harbor on either side of the center island. Lots of switching everywhere and lots of operation. As always I am interested in your comments. Have a great weekend.
By the yard, I see a switchback with a too-short tail track. You've got two spurs, each of which can hold three cars, and the tail track can fit one car and an engine, if even that.
What type of locos and rolling stock will you be running? In addition to what Triplex pointed out, the passing siding on the left side of the 4X8 section seems really short and not very useful. If its for just spotting a car, than I would elimiante it, and have another spur coming off the main. The siding at the top right is also short. Whould making that one long spur work for your operating scheme. I really like how the peninsula is tied in. If forces the traffic to travel through it to get to the other side of the layout. I think it gives a sense of didtance. Eric
If you're looking at the tracks leading to the grey structure at the top left, those are two tracks into an engine house, so the track is only there to take (short switcher) loco's. Is that what you are looking at? IF not please explain. Many thanks
I will be running 40-footers, short tank cars and hoppers, and short switchers or 44-tonners. I agree that that siding on the left is pretty short, so I might be able to make it longer. Maybe use a curved turnout toget there. The siding at the very top right is intended to be the ramp for a Walthers car float (brown object.) I am happy to hear any other suggestions. Thanks
As has been noted there are a few adjustments you may want to consider. This is true of most new layout designs. What I really like about it is the combinations of continuous running with point to point operation. IMO it's a slick idea.:thumbs_up: See ya Ron
