Thanks Jerry I have, I am going to remove all the elevation changes on my layout and start there. I have heard of making your own lengths of unitrack and custome curves on Fifer's site.
Being an insomnia sufferer, I had a little unexpected spare time last night, so I tinkered up an alternate version. This one addresses some possible operational issues and streamlines the design at the same time, plus it adds more versatility. The double-track main allows two continuously-running trains, while two double-crossovers provide full access to the staging tracks from either mainline. An industry, an interchange and a decent-sized mine are available for switching. For added visual interest with minimum stress, the mine track could be raised an inch or so. Only four resectioned curve pieces are required (visible on the plan as "skinnier" sections), with a manageable number of filler pieces, and no #4 switches are used anywhere.
Nice design David! I no longer fear using #4 switches, since I perfected tweaking them (you can read about that on "How I Tweak a Kato Unitrack #4 switch"). I would still stick to #6's in a hidden or hard to reach area of any layout, since there is less issues with the larger radius curve of the #6. Jerry
Thank you, Jerry! Well, in that case, here's a version that uses #4s to create more real estate for additional track, as well as keep the track spacing more realistic. I also reconfigured the #6s in the staging yard to make it more compact.
Very very nice plan - like it!! Since I still find some ideas of my first trial. @thefullgonzo - go for it - it looks very nice and capable to run long trains as you wished. The plan from david shows a pattern which I know as a main plus industrial branch line with complete "wagenübergabebahnhof" that is a german expression for a small industrial interchange yard including engine service for the branchline loco perhaps an old and rotten SD7?. scopewime
I think I'll give it a shot, probably the one with no #4 turnouts I have plenty of #6s. I requested the track layout list from David in a PM. Right now trying to figure out how to tear off all my hills and risers without tearing up my foam base to much. I glued them down pretty good!
Here is the parts list for the version I drew with all #6 switches. 20000, N Kato Unitrack 20000. Straight 9.76". 55 20010, N Kato Unitrack 20010. Straight 7.32". 16 20020, N Kato Unitrack 20020. Straight 4.88". 6 20030, N Kato Unitrack 20030. Straight 2.52". 6 20048, N Kato Unitrack 20048. Buffer/Bumper Type C, 1.99". 7 20050, N Kato Unitrack 20050. Straight extendable 3.07"-4.25". 2 20091A, N Kato Unitrack 20091A(20-070). Straight 1.79". 3 20091B, N Kato Unitrack 20091B(20-071). Straight 1.14". 12 20111, N Kato Unitrack 20111. Curve radius 11.1", angle 15º 1 20121, N Kato Unitrack 20121. Curve radius 12.4", angle 15º 1 20132, N Kato Unitrack 20132. Curve radius 13.7", angle 45º 11 20140, N Kato Unitrack 20140. Curve radius 15", angle 30º 29 20150, N Kato Unitrack 20150. Curve radius 28.27", angle 15º 24 20160, N Kato Unitrack 20160. Curve radius 18.94", angle 15º 21 20202, N Kato Unitrack 20202. Left turnout 7.32". (remote) 10 20203, N Kato Unitrack 20203. Right turnout 7.32". (remote) 12 20210, N Kato Unitrack 20210. Double crossover 12.2". 15º 2 20401, N Kato Unitrack 20401. Straight 9.76". (viaduct) 1 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 4.71".(r=15", a=18º) 1 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 7.65".(r=13.7", a=32º) 2 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 7.89".(r=13.7", a=33º) 1 Note that the "flex track" parts are resectioned Unitrack curve parts; the radius and angle are detailed in the list. If you want to make the staging yard more compact (still using #6s), here is an alternate version: The parts list is a little different for this one: 20000, N Kato Unitrack 20000. Straight 9.76". 56 20010, N Kato Unitrack 20010. Straight 7.32". 12 20020, N Kato Unitrack 20020. Straight 4.88". 10 20030, N Kato Unitrack 20030. Straight 2.52". 6 20040, N Kato Unitrack 20040. Straight 2.44". 1 20048, N Kato Unitrack 20048. Buffer/Bumper Type C, 1.99". 7 20050, N Kato Unitrack 20050. Straight extendable 3.07"-4.25". 1 20091A, N Kato Unitrack 20091A(20-070). Straight 1.79". 5 20091B, N Kato Unitrack 20091B(20-071). Straight 1.14". 10 20111, N Kato Unitrack 20111. Curve radius 11.1", angle 15º 1 20121, N Kato Unitrack 20121. Curve radius 12.4", angle 15º 3 20132, N Kato Unitrack 20132. Curve radius 13.7", angle 45º 11 20140, N Kato Unitrack 20140. Curve radius 15", angle 30º 29 20150, N Kato Unitrack 20150. Curve radius 28.27", angle 15º 22 20160, N Kato Unitrack 20160. Curve radius 18.94", angle 15º 23 20202, N Kato Unitrack 20202. Left turnout 7.32". (remote) 10 20203, N Kato Unitrack 20203. Right turnout 7.32". (remote) 12 20210, N Kato Unitrack 20210. Double crossover 12.2". 15º 2 20401, N Kato Unitrack 20401. Straight 9.76". (viaduct) 1 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 4.71".(r=15", a=18º) 1 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 7.65".(r=13.7", a=32º) 2 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 7.89".(r=13.7", a=33º) 1 Finally, the compacted staging yard allows you to squeeze in an extra storage track in the transfer yard: And the parts list for this one is: 20000, N Kato Unitrack 20000. Straight 9.76". 60 20010, N Kato Unitrack 20010. Straight 7.32". 12 20020, N Kato Unitrack 20020. Straight 4.88". 9 20030, N Kato Unitrack 20030. Straight 2.52". 4 20040, N Kato Unitrack 20040. Straight 2.44". 1 20048, N Kato Unitrack 20048. Buffer/Bumper Type C, 1.99". 8 20050, N Kato Unitrack 20050. Straight extendable 3.07"-4.25". 1 20091A, N Kato Unitrack 20091A(20-070). Straight 1.79". 5 20091B, N Kato Unitrack 20091B(20-071). Straight 1.14". 9 20111, N Kato Unitrack 20111. Curve radius 11.1", angle 15º 1 20121, N Kato Unitrack 20121. Curve radius 12.4", angle 15º 3 20132, N Kato Unitrack 20132. Curve radius 13.7", angle 45º 11 20140, N Kato Unitrack 20140. Curve radius 15", angle 30º 29 20150, N Kato Unitrack 20150. Curve radius 28.27", angle 15º 22 20160, N Kato Unitrack 20160. Curve radius 18.94", angle 15º 18 20202, N Kato Unitrack 20202. Left turnout 7.32". (remote) 10 20203, N Kato Unitrack 20203. Right turnout 7.32". (remote) 11 20210, N Kato Unitrack 20210. Double crossover 12.2". 15º 2 20401, N Kato Unitrack 20401. Straight 9.76". (viaduct) 1 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 4.71".(r=15", a=18º) 1 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 7.65".(r=13.7", a=32º) 2 2500, N Atlas Code 80 2500. Flex 7.89".(r=13.7", a=33º) 1
Thanks David! I have to work 16 hours tomorrow but I'll be tearing down the old track and getting the bench down to nothing on Monday. Get a count of what I have and what I need. Then start at it Tuesday.
I sure wish that 'S' curve created by the opposing 20160's on the left side could be eliminated. The trackage coming over from the yard could be angled a bit more allowing it to run deeper into the layout and allow the curve to break sooner. JMO Jerry
Yet again, thanks David! Next question, I have 3" of pink foam over 1/2 ply for the bench top. I can really hear the trains motor noise as they move around the old layout. It kind of resonates like a speaker box. I was wondering if I remove the foam and maybe add 3/4 particleboard or something dense if it would deaden the noise?
The noise will go away as you add scenery. Once most of the scenery is in, the layout will become nice and quiet.
Wife ok'd the doors swinging out , flipped them today. So changing gears going with a duck under across the doors. What do you think of a 18" duck under across the door opening? And what would you change to make it a around the room layout. Maybe put the staging yard on the duck under?
If you could somehow do other than a duck-under.... As already stated, they can be a headache. Both to deal with, and when you bang your head on it, accidently, now and then. Plus they can also be a back ache....
Agreed on duckunders; the get old really fast. Really only worthwhile when there is absolutely no alternative. You've got more than enough room for a continuous-running layout without needing one. Enjoy the extra operating space afforded by the reversed doors.
