Oops. Misread (used the "9" of the 9 3/4) Of course, just means add one more 20-000 piece to each leg. I'll update the files and resend/post
That is a really cool train room! I really like the cabinets! The RR it self is very nice too! I will keep an eye on this one! Thanks for sharing!
Thanxs for looking Jerry. It's coming along like I have it pictured in my head. Still LOTS of work to do....but that part of the fun too
Rick... I really want to thank you for the yard track plan. Having the parts #'s and all is gonna make it a lot easier to get Lucky Penny Yard up to par. I ran trains thru all the track in there today and it ran great. I can imagine how well it's gonna be with the right pieces in there lol thnxs again ^5
Hi George, If the two tracks with double crossovers are the mainlines, then doing any switching of long trains will block the mains, since there are no lead or tail tracks. If you have the room, tou might want to consider adding some to improve the flow of operation. Bill in FtL
George, you are welcome. Oh that was another Rick, Mr. Rick B., The idea looks good but, it's next to impossible to bring the sidings that close together... if you are using #6 Kato Switches. At least, not without cutting the curved side of the diverging side of said switch...shorter. The #4 Kato Switches would serve you better. Downside, all of this will start to ring up at the cash register and get very expensive if you insist on having perfectly mated Unitrack sectional pieces of track. Feel free to grab that dremel tool with a fine cutting disc (or rail nippers...if you insist) and cut away the pieces you need. Ahhh.... unless, you have a donor. Me thinks I'ma repeating myself here. I hate getting old. The best to you.
Bill.... Any and all switching will be short cuts of cars. The possibilty of a loco grabbing one 12-15 car run off one track and backing in and grabbing another cut off another track is possible though. It may temporarily block the main...but that means I need to pay attention where the trains on the main are so we dont make the 10 PM news with train collisions....LOL. Mostly I suppose this is a combination classification/storage/staging/whatever yard. I didnt want to put my cars in a hidden staging yard. I dont want them in a box somewhere in a cabinet !! I want to SEE what I have Locos can bring in one run of cars...uncouple and just hook on another and go out again with a different looking consist. Other locos can hook up to anything from either direction. I am hoping this helps things from becoming 'boring'...as I wont necessarily see the same locos and same cars going the same direction all the time. To me...thats what makes it tedious...the same old thing all day...time after time. I am also planning on a loco storage area. It will have a loco service area/building...fueling island...and a turntable. I dont want the same locos always running the same direction. ;-) (I am still looking for a decent turntable that wont break the bank !) The 2 seperate towns are going to have some personal ideas from both THE Wife and myself. They may NOT make sense to others but we will have our own private chuckles when we see them. The advantage of the long runs of track to me is that (in theory) I can run 4 trains at a time (2 each direction). Of course when I am working at the workbench I will most likely just have one train running each direction. That way I dont need to be watching for possible collisions...lol. There will also be some industrial sidings that will need to be switched from the main anyways. It's a dream layout for me...and with my health issues...its time to make it a reality. All the things I've wanted rolled into one. Prototypical? Most likely not. But it's mine and I dont care...LMAO. It will keep me busy and happy. I'm having fun...and thats what its all about anyway Thnxs for looking
RickH.... Youve been more help to me thru the years then you may realize. Truth be told...that friendly help is probably what kept me going this long. There were times I just wanted to throw up my hands and quit...but in a lot of ways...it was you who talked me down from the ledge !! Its the little things that add up to big things ^5
1) George, have you thought about installing a WYE? It would a little cheaper than a turntable, about the same amount of effort to wire it, easier to install and remove, and it would get you a quick way to turn your loco consists until you can find a turntable. How ever not being very familiar with your track plans, this may or may not fit. 2) Completely understood! LOL 3) That's the Bottom line, and now you know the rest of the story Allen...
You know that goes both ways. So, right back at you. ^5 I have nothing but respect for Rick B. his work and his advice. So keep the faith. You might want to know I'm down off on the other side of my rant. Still no love for TT's and I won't change my mind about them. They are a poor man's excuse for a good running locomotive. Today, I'ma feeling better and hope to get out and into the train shed to finish up the run through hidden staging yard. Similar to your Penny Yard. The five tracks in the yard could be replaced with eight, if I was using Peco switches. Once the track is in place then I hope to get my automated switch panel in. Tired of throwing switches manually...with a stick. Seriously! Also, considering pulling all Kato sectional track out of the HS and replacing with Atlas Flex track. I'm having problems with the Kato stuff warping, twisting, and laying anything but flat. It was an easy install but, in a very hard place to get to and maintain it. Now, that I've had some experience with it...not such a happy camper. Just thought you ought to know and there may be others out there who might benefit. Some things just aren't as all cracked up to be what the profundo's have said it is.
Actually George, I just went back to your gallery and seen an early plan. Depending on the change in elevation on the end of the layout [where you had the TT drawn] You might be able to slip in a Reverse loop which would accomplish the same thing. Just a thought. Allen...
Todays Update: Went out to the shed and rummaged thru some of the totes out there. I found one of at least 3 totes I know have train stuff in them ! I found the one with some buildings and some rolling stock. So I placed the buildings around and the rolling stock in Lucky Penny Yard. There is Jeans Valley on the left...with T.H.E. Old Homstead in the middle. Then we have Georgetown on the right just before the entrance to Lucky Penny Yard. T.H.E. Layout doesnt look so empty and plain now...lol
In the bottom left teardrop corner...where the little office building is sitting out by itself...is going to be "Stevens Cement". My youngest son manages one down in the Phoenix area ! There will be a batch plant with a spur there. On the right side of the teardrop area....next to the aisle...will be "Trailerhood". All the people working in Jeans Valley at the tourist shops and eateries and in whats left of Georgetown...and even the guys working Lucky Penny Yard gotta live somewhere...right ? ;-)
George, this latest panoramic shot really shows off your effort and lets us see what you have in mind. Personally I think it looks great...can't wait for scenery. I know it's late, but I have one observation with the Lucky Penny Yard layout. My only detailed knowledge of yards was riding through CSX Gentilly Yard in New Orleans. I noticed that CSX runs the two through tracks around the north side of the yard, so as to not block any switching. What I see with Lucky Penny is that, either you are not planning any through tracks, or they go right down the middle between the two yard halves.
Yuppers...both mains go right down the middle With the dble xovers on each end of the yard...any train from either track can go into any of the four tracks on either side in the yard. Got (stole) the idea from looking at Fifers fairground track plan...LOL. Mostly it will be trains coming in with one consist...dropping it off and hooking on to another. Just so things change up on the mainline and dont get boring watching the same trains all the time Any switching will be done with a small switcher with short cuts of cars and hopefully it wont block the mainlines long...if at all. I just gotta watch where the trains are on the main....hmmmmmm. There will be an engine shop...fuel island...and a turntable off the back yard line...coming towards the front. There is also a spur that goes back behind the warehouse in the top right corner of the pic. My MOW train is also sitting on the same spur...for now. THE Wife likes watching the trains going thru the middle between the cars just sitting there. Like I say...the trackplan/layout aint prototypical anything....but it does work for us.
Finally got "Lucky Penny Yard" laid out like I want. ( Sorry about the picture quality...hmmmm) **Subject to change without notice !!!!** LOL. Yea...I know I need a newer, better Turntable...anyone have one they wanna sell ??? ;-)
