Or how the rule of the 7 P's (Proper Prior Planning Prevents P%4# Poor Performance) came back to bite me. Had a crossover that had one throwbar end up directly over a support for the layout, and I never could find an adequate way to throw it and power the frog. So after much thought and procrastinating, I decided it had to be removed. It would be replaced by a single turnout about 4 feet or so to the west. It was a bit intimidating to rip up a pair of handlaid turnouts. However, the new track orientation is a great improvement. I only wish I had not waited over a year to tackle this project. Over 3 days this past weekend, I ripped up the old track and roadbed, saving the crossover in the process, no less. The new roadbed was glued down, and a new #10 curved turnout was laid, wired, and tested. Now that all that is left is paint and ballast, I wonder why I waited so long. If your layout has some attribute not to your liking, take the plunge and call in the trackwork surgeon!!! The results are well worth the effort. Pictures are in the trackwork folder in my webshots link below. Nodima
My approach to layout construction is to get the track put down, wire it and then operate it. For up to a year! I do this to determine if I need any changes in the design. More often than not, changes are made. For me, the changes are easier to make because not everything is in place and consequently less is disturbed while making the corrections. Once I am satisfied with the track plan, the construction continues. I took some good natured ribbing because I would use cardboard mock-ups of buildings and scenery. Paper towel rolls for grain silos and shoe boxes for industry buildings. I would use pre-formed foam blocks for topography. (those end caps from the stereo/reciever) Don't hold back making changes. A troublesome section of the layout will only bring on frustration. Making changes now and then gives you the opportunity to keep proficient in your skills and may give you a chance to try some new technique you have read about. And if you don't like it, rip it up and start again!
Agree. Recently ripped out and replaced an 18 inch curved section because there was a problem with derailments. Excellent running now. What scares me now is that I keep on wondering if a double track mainline would have been better. I hope those thoughts go away or else I may find myself going mad some evening and start ripping.
Hmmm. Don't forget about the nice curved radius turnouts! Peco was kind enough to mail me some templates... and the pleasant suprise was the examples of how to use all the different types of turnouts, crossovers, etc. I would have gone double track mainline, but I've got everything up on Woodland Scenics risers... all 4x12x8 of it... and I don't even want to start adding up those receipts for SINGLE track passes!
I did what Doofus did when I stated my present layout. I laid the track and ran it for a while. I then decided that the industrial spurs and Passing siding were inadequate. I relayed almost that whole side of the layout, and I'm very pleased with the operation I get from it now. I was thinking the same thing Barry about the double mainline. I have most of the scenery in place and everything runs, so I can't bring myself to do it, even though the area of the NP\GN\BN I model is double tracked.
