So I'm in the design stage of a new 36x78 HCD layout and looking for input. Those familiar will immediatly notice it's based off of the Scenic Ridge plan. (I recreated it in xtrkcad using the parts list on Kato's website as a starting point) A small yard has been added at the bottom and the inside curves have been tweaked so they're not so tight. The bridge will be 2" above the track below which will result in a 2% grade on the left side of the bridge and a 3% on the right. The crossover at the upper left will be a hill/tunnel. So fire away gents, where are the problems?
I don't have much to add other than to minimize your grades as much as possible. 3% doesn't sound like much but it will affect how many cars you will be able to run.
True, but it's an improvement over the scenic ridge which is 4%, besides, it'll let me put my DCC to use for a lashup to make the grade
It's a long time and well tested version of the figure eight style layout. Hard for much of anything to go wrong. Please post up some photos as you progress.
You have S-curves on the bottom of your plan where end turnback curves straighten out and go immediately into a curve the other direction to crossover to the yard. And then the turnout on the yard track makes ANOTHER reverse curve. In othger words, the track at each end going into the yard goes from curving INWARD on the end curve, to curve OUTWARD on the switch and then curving INWARD on the yard track. One way to avoid this is to swap the right hand switch and left hand switch that come off the Maine line. (pun intended) The switch will form the last section of the curve on each end. The curved leg of each switch will carry train onto the continuous route. The straight leg of the switch will carry the train into the yard, and then curve as it enters the yard track. At each end, the progression will be cirving INWARD on end curve, to STRAIGHT through switch, then INWARD on yard switch. This may need some fitting or partial sections depending on brand of track you are using. This will also make your passing siding/ runaround in the yard slightly longer-- but the tails of the yard a little shorter. I've got other ideas but this is enough now...
Folded dogbone with spurs. Why not? Maybe add a couple more passing tracks so you can run more trains at once.
Thanks, I'll play with yad a bit and see if I can use your fixes. Track is Kato, should have mentioned that in my OP
hi, found this plan, saw a version of it by Lynn Westcott; published decades ago. Tried to draw it in Atlas RTS for N-scale. It is pretty close to yours. The track labeled "to staging" could lead to an extension like on the Virginian project railroad by Model Railroader. The yard tracks would then be a bit shorter. Have fun Paul
Looks much better without the S-curve! My first n-scale was the modified version on the same plan. You mentioned it was 36x78...do you happen to have 2 more inches to get 36x80? If so, and if you tweak both right side loops by adding some straight pieces loop to lengthen them, you might bring it down to (or at least closer to) a 2% grade. I was using a FVM es44ac and struggled with 16 cars on the 2%. Then using 2 locos could pull even more cars. Just a thought. It's a great design, you'll have fun with it whatever you decide.
