Since start of construction of my standard gauge switchback branch line I have had the center of attraction and nerve center of RR in midway employing SB tail as both SB reversing track AND drill track for engine house and stub end yard, both within the 'V' formed by the lowest tracks running up to the SB's main switch, and the highest tracks running down to the SB tail..What this was causing was a frustration of RRing logic on an already illogical but necessary type of track configuration (a switchback in a main line). I was running trains from near physical center of RR to/from each direction upward or downward, out bound or inbound from center of in order to spot or reclaim cars from on these 2 main legs of RR. What dawned on me the other night was " Hey, why not relocate engine house/tracks down at lower end of RR where it interchanges with main line RR ! This way engines are always on trackage where live interchange daily loco spots or reclaims cars from 'us' or for 'them'.. TO BE CONTINUED :
Continuing (above) : As of last night I have in fact done this. I corrected a crossover-trackage configuration at live interchange and added in a new switch for lead to new 2 track stub siding in front of original interchange track which today will recieve added open-grid bench work (about 6" wide X 4.5' long ) bolted on to front edge of old bench work to support new 'yard' of 0.5"ply top..This top, including both tracks and their connecting #4 switch, by shear coincidence had been removed many months ago from a poorly chosen are of RR and was standing vertical in my lumber bin..I carried it over to interchange area and it fits in front of the exisiting scene near perfectly just as is ! I will trim it to butt up against and to be slightly below existing area, add 1x4 frame, add lead in track (about 15") and all of 2 steamers (2-6-0 and 4-6-0) will now hang out here before and after runs up and back through SB RR..picking up, setting out cars in a much much more professional, logical pattern of behaviour...In fact, I think I will not even have any engine shed here. just 2 weedy code 70 stubs across tracks in front of main line RR's station..Likely scenerio: both locos will line up here on one track; other stub will wind up a temp car-strorage yard track. I have put large coal mine within the 'V' at midway, and its 3 stall tracks (also already there as was originally the 'yard' within 'V') will utilize switchback tail as a drill track if need be. Mine's main conveyor chute points to middle of largest loop tracks and where an access hatch will be (mine-pit on top of).. I'm truly jazzed over this major change of operation..My MRR just got more believable, more proto, less of a fantasy... Finally, I am thinking of having no engine house/shed at all as locos, when in need of service can merely dissappear into hidden interchange staging track as if they traveled miles back to shops elsewhere on line, out of scene..not sure yet on this. Thanks for reading this, Mark
Do you have a track plan drawn up? If so, that would give us an even better idea for how everything is laid out.
