I have never been brave enough to measure it, but the max length that goes up is 1 switcher 3 cars and a caboose. No issues getting up there with that short a train. The steepest grade is from the hidden staging yard under the layout, but again the max train length is only 9 cars and a caboose and the 2 road locos have no issues.
It looks as if you're using an S2 or S4 to switch that upper level. If it's an Atlas/Roco Alco switcher, it's hefty enough to use to make the grade. Almost reminds me of the former Frisco Fairground Branch in Kansas City, KS- uphill all the way from the main line to end of track.
Doesn't that look familiar. I don't even want to count all of the times I thought I had everything going right and had to rip out tracks and do thing over.
We got that cleared quickly (amazing how fast you can do that!) - but also relaid most trackage in the new configuration. The layout will be better and interesting to operate. Alan www.andersley.co.uk
What hurt me about tearing up the track work is that it was hand laid code 70. My spike gun had gone tits up and I had to use Shinohara turnouts and flextrack which was considerably more expensive.
After the new track is laid, I would like to see a side by side photo comparison, before and after that corner was reconfigured.
More than just the corner was reconfigured, Ken! Matt will show the new trackage shortly. Alan www.andersley.co.uk
I was not happy with the look of the layout so took most of it up. The first thing on my list was to remove the street trackage and therefore remove the continuous run option, this did nothing for operation and took up valuable space. Main street is now in one corner, this has allowed me to increase the runaround size and ease some tight corners, now my 33,000 gallon tankcar and 65' gondola will be able to run. 2 industries have been relocated to where maim street was and added a single track to store freightcars, the loco road had been moved and a new lumber yard will be in place where it used to be. Here are some photos walking round the layout anti clockwise. Sorry about the mess!!!
The former main street. Yes I need to paint the track... And then add a ton of detail and finish the scenery off but the basics are down.
Looks like you almost completely rebuilt the place. Big changes. Good proof for the reason a person should seriously operate what they have, before scenery.
The new plan looks much better. A question- How long is your tail track at upper left? Looks like you'd need to make a lot of one car shoves and pulls to switch the industries at top and top right.
That can hold one loco and 2 50' boxcars, the trackplan is not to scale... To make it more interesting to switch that is also an industry spot
Between the two trackplans, I also like the second one as well I may have missed it somewhere, but what is your minimum radius?
