Woah, that's probably one of the best layout plans I've ever seen done with Unitrack. The only thing I really want to point out is it's going to be super hard to serve the industries on the left when the passing siding is on a curve like that. With that switchback, you're going to need to use the siding as a runaround, which means there's going to be coupling and uncoupling, and coupling and uncoupling on curves just doesn't work... I've been trying to think of where you could move that passing siding, but you would have to move it a decent distance away, which is tough because you have a grade there. Passing sidings on grades aren't a good idea, either! Alex
I have read posts where people have been going to the source for their soldering needs and small electronic bits. I have been to every one we have here in the city as of today and its less than acceptable in that regard. They did have 2 rolls of 22 gauge wire left. 1 black and 1 red so I am thankful for that. They do have a good selection of no name soldering pens and guns but that's where it ends. Thank heavens for the place I found Friday. They have everything a MRR guy needs plus a whole lot more. They aren't open Saturday, but they are very close to where I am working so ill slip down monday and pick up some flux. Unless the stuff I use for plumbing will work?
Thank you for your input Alex. One thing is for sure from what I have seen. David really knows his layouts. I'll be laying the whole thing out in stages at the first, testing each as I go. I may just leave the whole thing on one level. Ill know more after I start the actual track laying. One thing I am thinking is I will need a crossover of some type so I can travel both ways on the main line. But really, everything is up in the air until its glued down
Thank you, Alex. With respect to the curved passing siding, there should be sufficient straight portions on each end to facilitate coupling and uncoupling. It will of course take careful planning to ensure cars are spotted correctly, but it should still be possible. There aren't many options, except perhaps to eliminate the switchback (which would come as a huge relief to Andy Jackson). I'm not quite sure what you mean by this; there is nothing preventing you from running trains in either direction.
Hmmm... quite possibly. A bit awkward to incorporate, but not impossible. Comes with all of the usual caveats about being able to wire reverse loops properly.
I applaud David for this creativity and ability to design with UniTrack. A super track plan, for certain! I like the idea of a reverse loop. The only problem I encounter is that if it is not a wye with a loop one reverse loop screams out for another so direction change can happen in both directions. Not a complaint or negative thing. Just my own desire and obsession for symmetry! ;-) Oh, and BTW, I do not know why, but in leaving posts here I cannot get my enter key to start a new line of text. Thus, everything comes out in paragraph form without multiple lines. Gary
i could be missing something for sure. But short of lifting the train off how does one turn it around?
And why exactly would you want to? Unless you have an operating scenario in mind, such as "out and back," that involves turning a train, there is no need. If indeed you anticipate an operational need, a reversing loop will turn a whole train; a wye will turn a locomotive and possibly a few cars; and a turntable will turn just a locomotive. Bear in mind, once again, that reversing loops require special accommodations, including gaps, special wiring, and in the case of DCC, supporting electronics.
That's what the reverse loop would accomplish. Another way would be to run your train with two engines in a back-to-back lashup, and when it's time to head in the other direction, use the passing siding to run the engines around the train and couple on from the other end.
thank you for your patience. I learn something new every day, or in the case of the MRR a few things. I shall now concentrate my thoughts on whether or not to have elevations and exactly what type of industry to host.
Interestingly enough I have a package at the post office that there was an attempted delivery today I missed due to that darn work thing. The only thing I am expecting is my Kato unitrack but when I go to canadapost.com and run the tracking number it says it is still in Ontario. Im hoping its the track. Today I was driving by the electronics place I have been buying soldering bits at and picked up a helping hand thingy with a magnifying glass and looked at their flux collection. I had bought a bottle of rosin flux but had read about a safety #35 on this site and asked about it. He looked it up online and could only find it on YouTube, and since they can't access YouTube at the store couldn't figure out the manufacturer for me. I like that place, very helpful. I bought a second kind of flux. Some kind of clean flux that comes in some kind of a pen... So I'll try both and use what works best for me. ive been working out the radii and track lengths of the plan David made for me (once again thank you David. You ever make it to Saskatoon I have a drink with your name all over it ) And am slowly but surely purchasing the track needed.
Not necessarily, the prototypes do it all the time, but they have all the space in the world to work with. On a layout this size it just takes a little more ingenuity.
Originally Posted by Wrath0fWotan oh, pink - that's cool... Hmmm I have to ask if you are serious? Lol Actually I was being exceedingly facetious. When I first looked at the picture, all of that hot pink kinda clawed at my eyeballs, and the thought flashed in my mind - oh, pink - that's cool... Then, of course I just HAD to add the heart smiley for a bit of humour. It was a knee-jerk moment.
Can't say I blame you. Makes me cringe a bit too. It was a little girls bedroom at one time lol I hardly notice it until I take a picture and see everything bathed in pink. A paint job is in order.
It is designed for access 1 way... Sidings and such I noticed. I may change it a bit to facilitate going both ways once I get rolling. But I do like it a lot the way it stands so maybe not.
The track to make a loop came in yesterday's mail and I set it up with a 15" radius curve at either end so I could let it run a bit. Worked like a charm for the limited running I was able to do last night. Today I replaced 2 of the 9-3/4" straight pieces with the 4-15 degree 19" radius curves I bought at the same time. I added the 2 straight sections, 1 on each side to make it a longer loop with an s- curve (the 19" radius pieces) so I could have a little variety to the loop. I let it run at various speeds for a totals of 2.5 hours with no issues. sweet!
