Modular Industrial/Urban Switching

GregW Apr 13, 2018

  1. GregW

    GregW TrainBoard Member

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    I have a layout I'm building that is comprised of two 2x6 modules, connected back to back with connecting loops. The end loops will fold down and the layout will be on wheels to roll into a corner when not in use. I am limited to using a room that is odd shaped and has to offer access when I am not there. Layout also has to be movable. With these constraints in mind, this is what I have come up with.

    Upper area is an interchange yard and locomotive storage/servicing area. One end of an industrial shortline. The other, lower area, depicts one area of urban switching. Trackage in the streets is planned. I am not 100% satisfied that the lower area is being used to its full benefit. It needs to keep an operator busy for an hour to hour and a half.

    I'm open to suggestions, however, the basic form is set and the loops are needed for continuous run. They are 18 and 22 inch radius.

    WestHavenIndustrialEdit5.jpg
    GregW66
    https://gregstrainyard.com
     
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  2. Yannis

    Yannis TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Greg,

    It is a very nice trackplan there!

    Do you plan to have a scenic divider / backdrop in the middle of the table?

    The plan looks very nice in having two separate large switching scenes/areas (if i understand it correctly). I was wondering how do you intend to place the structures as some of the spurs do not (seemingly) leave enough space for structures. For example the lower right spur, unless of-course it is a switch-lead which then answers my question and means that real estate for structures is just fine (same with the lower left).

    Some ideas based on my preferences with respect to industrial switching:
    If you want to take advantage of more space you could consider curved turnouts for in/out of the yard on the upper part (this will lengthen the AD track by 2').
    Similarly, i would use two curved turnouts to create a long siding (mirror image of the AD track) on the lower part (urban switching) and have spurs coming off this siding.

    Looking forward to see this progress!
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Good question. Hoping he does have something. Either in place or planned, it would greatly aid in creating illusion of distance.
     
  4. GregW

    GregW TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the comments. Not sure i want to tackle curved turnouts, I am handlaying. I am revising with closer track spacing. And yes, there will be a backdrop separating the two halves. The ends fold down, if I haven't mentioned that. So the folded size is approx 4x6 and on wheels to tuck away.
     
  5. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    The only real oddity is the little run around track on your lower industrial section. I'm not sure what your time period is, yet generally if there were a double main with a industrial area off of it, the run around would be part of that area and not connected to the main.

    Is this HO scale? I just ask because your mainline curves would indicate a ho scale spacing.

    I've found that stands of trees make great scenic dividers. If you are sitting in a chair while running, you won't see the other side at all. I used to make them quickly with dried weeds and clumping materials.
     
  6. GregW

    GregW TrainBoard Member

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    There has been a major revision to the plan after the input of several others. I am much happier with this version. Yes, it is HO and there will be a backdrop 6 feet long to separate the two 2'x6' modules. The ends drop down on hinges.
    WestHavenIndustrialEditRobChant.jpg
     
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  7. txronharris

    txronharris TrainBoard Member

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    Not that I'm an expert, but incorporating the run around as a part of the double track is a great idea since these two sides will be basically stand alone switching layouts when in storage with the ends folded down (which is a GREAT idea btw for those that are space strapped). With that in mind, is the short run around (the third track in on your plan) really necessary? If you use the outer track as the one you come in on with the cars to switch, you could just do a crossover from the inner to the outer loop on the left side like you have on the right, then that would clean up the switching area some.

    That's all I see from my end. What are you thinking on the opposite side? A grain elevator might give you lost of reasons to move cars around on the right side.

    Looking forward to seeing your progress. Even though I'm in N scale, I'm about to get my switching layout rolling as well.
     
  8. GregW

    GregW TrainBoard Member

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    One of the design goals was to use the outer loop as staging to bring trains in to the mix. So it won't always be clear and available.
     
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  9. txronharris

    txronharris TrainBoard Member

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    Ok got it. I like the design and the fold down loop idea. Don't know why I never thought about it before-a scenic divider and two switching layouts in the space of one, with the option for continuous run.

    Don't want to sound like a goofball, but the concept is really quite revolutionary when you think about it for those of us with small spaces.

    Now you have me re-thinking my plans...

    Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
     
  10. GregW

    GregW TrainBoard Member

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    The idea comes from Joe Fugate at Model Railroad Hobbyist. His concept is called TOMA, The One Module Approach. You build your layout one module at a time as time and space permits. This arrangement shows how just two modules can form an entire layout. Down the road the two modules can be split to be part of a larger layout. The fold down is my addition to his suggestion.

    http://mrhpub.com/2017-09-sep/online/
     
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  11. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    Your cross overs on the double main face the same direction. I had a N scale door panel layout where I did that. The layout had been designed so that traffic would flow from three long spurs outside the ovals to the yard and industry tracks on the inside.

    This meant that I needed to use sections of the double main as passing sidings to move trains around each other as they either went from the outside three "cities" that were just spurs, onto the outer loop where even more trains could sit, onto the inner oval and my fully modeled terminal city.

    It allowed for staging something like 6 trains on the layout at once.

    Seems you are doing the same thing with your outer main becoming a staging track for inbound trains, that have to enter the inner loop to reach their destination at the yard.

    Your use of this idea, and I do not claim to have invented it or anything, is going to lead to a lot of operation with trains going in and out of your yard. Should be tons of fun, my layout sure was. In retrospect I have no idea why I abandoned it, as it was really reliable and only needed scenery.

    I suppose I could provide a design or photo of my old layout, but I'm lazy right now. :p
     
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2018

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