Kiskiminetas Railroad: Help

I posted a list of "Givens" in post #4 above. Here is my most recent list of "Druthers":

Druthers:

1. Layout style: Linear walkaround with divider walls along the center of each peninsula.

2. Benchwork: “Dominoes” on shelf brackets. 2” foam on ¼” luan. Shadowbox lighting, diorama look. Widest depth of modules 24 inches. Track height 54”. 1/8” Masonite hardboard for valence and facia.

3. Size: 20’ x 22’

4. Track: Code 83 for mainlines, code 70 for sidings and yards.

5. Turnout minimum: No. 6

6. Minimum radius: 22” at end of peninsulas, 30” elsewhere on layout.

7. Maximum grades: 0.0% (water-level course).

8. Control System: DCC (wireless).

9. Operations: Local freight (point-to-point with continuous running option).

10. Dispatching: Time Table and Train Orders (dark territory).

11. Train Length: 12-15 cars.

12. Couplers: Kadee, manual uncoupling.

13. Minimum aisle space: 36 inches.

14. Switches: Manual throws.

15. Scenery: Minimalist approach (at least initially).

I have pretty much given up on representing Kiski Junction on the layout...but that's OK. If I can come up with a good, solid free-lanced road that is enjoyable to operate, I will be quite content.

Do any of you see anything unreasonable about my "givens and druthers" at this point? Have I missed anything at this stage that I should be considering as I develop a track plan? Any and all comments, questions, and suggestions are heartily encouraged!

 

I see that I have a four-and-one-half foot aisle at the "bottom" of the room on the drawing I did with proposed benchwork. Is anyone familiar with (or hopefully built) the Timesaver Plus found on pages 84-85 of the 2003 Model Railroad Planning? I like the idea of a switching puzzle, and figured if I had room, I could begin with it on the 12'5" wall of my room drawing to 1) test my benchwork construction method and work out any bugs; and 2) get the kids started building some inexpensive plastic kits to see how it goes with their interest and skills. Anyone have any experience with this (or perhaps aware of another variation which might prove challenging)? I thought it might also provide a nice diversion following an operating session or while one of the crews is waiting for their next assignment...

Just a thought.

(Or perhaps I should just build a "Switchman's Nightmare" into the layout itself. Anyone have experience with both the Timesaver and the Switchman's Nightmare? Preference? And why? As I understand it, the Nightmare is actually more prototypical and might lend itself nicely to some of the industries I am contemplating...)

 

I'm not familiar with the "nightmare" compared to a switching puzzle but most railroads try to keep track configurations simple unless they absolutely have to complicate it.

I really like your druthers, other than I'm not familiar with the size and space requirements of HO, so I can't comment on those dimensions. I vote for the dynamite plant being a definite industry too, don't see many of those. Also my vote is for a single track main.

 

A question for the experienced track-layers in the group: In regard to the benchwork drawing in post #14, the assumption is that each module is 2' x 4.' Question: What is the maximum radius curve I can expect to get on the outside corners and on the inside corners?

Just to make it a little more interesting: From what I have been reading about shelf-style layouts, the usual depth suggested seems to be 15-18", rather than the 24" I am projecting. If I were to reduce the width of the modules to 18" (or perhaps even 16"), then what would be the max radius I could achieve on inside and outside corners? Thank you!

 

And yet another question for those who have shelf layouts in a "shadowbox" style: What is the vertical viewing area you would recommend? I know this depends a great deal on the tallest structure I would be considering for the layout, but in general terms, what is a "pleasing" viewing area? 18"? 24"?

I really like the idea that a shadowbox layout is a "stage" and the trains are the "main actors." This is a concept I can really sink my teeth into. (Also, with less real estate to scenic, more money for DCC and track!)

 

Since it seems I am leaning toward an "out and back" layout, could someone suggest a simple diamond yard design that might work? I would like to see some examples, if possible.

 

Greetings!

I have posted quite a bit of information in this thread, yet I have not garnered many responses. Am I doing something wrong? Could someone at least tell me what to focus on first so that I can get a dialog going with some members here? I am looking to the "collective wisdom" of TB to help me in my quest! Thank you!

 

I dunno, maybe the title doesn't garner as much attention?

I'm free tomorrow night, going to take your suggestion and make a trip down to McKeesport. Maybe hit Bill&Walt's on the way too.

 

It Takes Time

This is the first time I have read this thread. I didn't see any diagrams or pictures. Perhaps you could post some or direct us to your RailImages album.

My two cents follows:

For layout design threads, I wouldn't expect many responses until the weekend following your post. Obvious layout design errors can jump right out, but more often, it takes some time to follow and understand the purpose and intent of the writer. Also, many on TrainBoard have real jobs and just see TB for a few minutes a day. I would expect a good layout design analysis thread to last for a minimum of 2-3 weeks when the more experienced layout designers have had a chance to see and post to the thread several times.

My personal home layout design for a dedicated layout room took eighteen months to develop the specific track alignment. In the end it is very simple, but the iterations to get there are exhaustive.

It just tales time. Model railroading is a hobby and it is supposed to take a lot of time.

 

Hi --

Have you seen Bruce Chubb's BNSF Chilli Sub layout? He models the four way junction at Nerska Tower, which is not too different in principle from what you want to model.

Have a look at his track plan at this web page (you might have to scroll a bit down to see the plan): http://bnsfchillisub.com/layout.htm

Also - have you considered modeling your junction as a scenic element rather than as an operational element with traffic in both ways through the junction.

If you try to get traffic both ways, you are limited to having a layout with four blobs out from a center. But you could also model a junction like this:




I am sure there are quite a few other ways of doing it too. But I suspect that trying to generate crossing traffic through the junction may be quite a bit of work for relatively little gain.


Smile,
Stein

 

I would suggest a rough track plan, even by hand and scanned, based upon the capital M shape that you have outlined as your available space Then scan it and post it in this thread. Putting up route maps and/or a track plan that will have no relevancy to the actual space available for track and scenery is not going to garner many responses. Let's take a look at YOUR track planning ideas and you will get plenty of answers. Please be aware that someone with a good eye and deep background of model railroading will need about an hour or more to look, analyze and then articulate his thoughts and suggestions. I am NOT being snarky in my post here, but you need to meet the "critics" here more than half way in order to receive serious, measured and helpful suggestions.

One hint- When you are drawing your track plan in HO, determine the minimum radius of curved track to be used, 18", 22" or whatever. This will impact on what you can put where in the space you have outlined. Either freehand it or use a kid's school compass. What you think will fit, may not, and what you think won't very well might.

 

Indeed, I read the article concerning Nerska Tower in MR several years back. He has a beautiful layout. And I think you are correct: my thinking lately has been that I should make it a scenic element, rather than trying to make it fully operational.

 

I am assuming a minimum curve of 22" at the end of each penisula (I wish to avoid the dreaded "blobs" and the associated pinch points). One of the things on my "to do list" this week is to get hither to a hobby shop and pick up an HO drawing template. In the meantime, based on the list of "available industries" I posted above, do you see any good candidates for loads in / empties out? After deciding where I think the yard might best be located, I'm thinking those industries would need to be located before I "fill in" the rest of the route. Opinions? (I guess I'm coming at this from an LDE frame of mind...trying to break down my space into manageable parts to see if the sum of the parts is greater than the whole or not!)

 

Father,

You have simply posted too much information in too short a time. A person like me can only digest so much text information over a period of time; while I like other people can digest visual information more quickly, you've given me quite a mix to digest.

I'm going to suggest that you give us a little time to digest the flood. The Internet, with this forum as a portal, isn't a book where you publish everything at once in a sequential manner, so that readers can go back and forth to establish comprehension. It's rather like a DVR show, without the replay button, because most hobbyists don't have time to replay your posts, as something else is competing for their time.

I know a Fr. Will. B. Henry, and welcome to Trainboard! Are you him?

 

Glad to see you're getting some responses now.:thumbs_up:

I made the trip down to McKeesport this evening. They're definitely in the midst of a major rerouting of most pretty much the entire layout. I helped screw some benchwork together. Nice group of guys, the few that were there.

 

Maybe, maybe not! I'm a Lutheran pastor in Beaver County, PA.

I know I've "dumped" a lot of info here. I have been thinking about this layout for over ten years now. I finally have the space to build it, and that tends to give me a bad case of the "hurry ups." Ten years of dreaming vs. the ten days or so you folks have had to understand what I am aiming for. I shall endeavor to take it down a notch or two...or ten or twelve. :tb-cool:

 

I am planning on having 22" radius on the ends of the penisula. I will not normally run passenger equipment; however, I do have four sets of Proto2000 E-units and the Bachman heavyweights (which have already had their coupler boxes and inner mechanism modified for use on tighter curves). I have PRR (mine), NYC (my oldest son, the "traitor"!), N&W Redbirds (my other son), and B&O (my daughter's set). I would like to be able to run them ocassionally for the kids, but not normally.

 

Yeah, they aren't shy about handing tools to visitors! This Friday should be Business Meeting night. Be a lot more folk there if you can drop in. I knew they were planning to reroute the mountain pass, Peter's Creek, and Mungai Junction, but I didn't get down for open house in December and am not sure what all they ended up tearing out. Last trackplan I saw had at least half the layout being rebuilt. But, the club is 60 years old this year, and the current building was purchased in 1987, so I guess a major overhaul was in order.