I've found the trackplan for me finally, it fits my space perfectly and it keeps me in HO scale (Sorry n scale forum) Im talking about Joe Taylors plan in this months Model Railroader. It's on Page 80. I want to avoid the helix and a bottom level but i want to still have the hidden return and maybe one staging track, Now avoiding any steep freak out hell grades would it be possible? Provided I keep enough clearance for my rolling stock (This is going to be the transition era) I need to go up or down a good 2 inches to reach both ends. I figure it will be a cookie cutter type set up under the benchwork that will support the return. I have probally a good few months to think this over the Hoover creek RR's estimated construction start time is next fall (After my little brothers layout is complete) Is It possible? Please tell me it is, or you will shatter my dreams of 20 car coal drags wrapping around the layout.
I think it could be done. However access to the hidden loop would be very limited. That is the only reason for the helix in the plan. I have looked at the plan and it is very tight. I would try to make it a little bigger with slighlty larger radii for 20 car trains. Steve
I think by relocating the mine to the top left I can work in helper operations, extend the backdrop across the whole layout effectively splitting the layout into two scenes, making it seem like the trains traveled more then just a few feet. The helper (Probally a IHC heavy 0-8-0) and its bobber caboose (Crews gotta have somewhere to rest between jobs) cuts at the top of innishowen siding (Right after the silk mill), backs down to its pocket (The conan powder siding) and waits for the next coal drag to come through. Most likey i'll simulate different coal drags by switching out the power on the head end, I dont have a V&O sized buget here!) Edit: After some thinking and you know, looking at the trackplan. I figure a helper would have to be tacked on at the yard at huber, and help the train up to innishowen siding. All this thinking is making me want to run trains, and i dont have a layout [ 12. February 2005, 03:09: Message edited by: LIRR ]
Course if i scale it to N scale helper operations could be on a grander scale. Bah its all a pipe dream at this point.
Careful, you'll talk yourself into changing scales! I gotta tell ya, I got into N for one basic reason, more RR per sqare foot.
