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I am planning to build a 6' intermodal Module(NMRA standards). I have searched hi and lo for some track plans on the WWW, to no avail. The reason I have chosen a Module is: I really just want to get my feet wet. After it's finished, I could potentially take it and run it with others.
I know this should not be a real hard track plan to come up with. But nevertheless I am stumped. This will be my first "real" build. I have tried alot of the track planning software. I just don't have any luck with it.
Does anyone know of a link I can take a look at? I have my own ideas, I just need a start. I don't want to go out and buy a bunch of track and not have a plan.
I don't think I've ever seen published track plans for modules as "how to" articles. Trying to model an intermodal terminal in only 6' may not really be practical due to a lack of space, unless you can live with one or two short sidings. By the time you have a turnout off the main line, you're already two feet or so into the module; each additional turnout will take up another couple of feet, taking into consideration space between tracks, etc. So a "track plan" of an intermodal terminal in 6 feet wouldn't amount to much.
I agree with Bob on this one. 6' isn't going to get you enough track space for more than two container crane tracks and a mainline. Is there some reason this has to be an intermodal yard?
Can you do the yard with say two maybe three tracks on the module and have an add on for the lead, maybe four feet? Even if you had one switch on the module and the rest on the add on you'd have a modest int. yard.
I've seen them with one track right up to several dozen so.
Still, the guys are right about 6' being used up pretty quickly.
I have an intermodal yard on my club modules. It started out as an 8' module, but that was too small. I enlarged it to 16', the yard tracks are 8' long on there own, with another 4' devoted to the switch ladder alone.
I would look into modeling something else if 6' is the maximum space you are working with. To be honest, an intermodal yard is rather boring to look at as a module. I'd recommend an industrial scene with small switches and crossings. Done right, you'd be able to operate the module independently of setting it up in a club.
Bob Smaus wrote a series of articles in about 1991 about the Port of LA on an NMRA module. The track looked sort of like John Allen's Timesaver. If there is already a NMRA module group contact them to get input. Another option is Free-mo (free-mo.org) The advantage of Free-mo is its flexiblity. For example my first module is 54.5" long because that is what fit in my car.
Bob Smaus wrote a series of articles in about 1991 about the Port of LA on an NMRA module. The track looked sort of like John Allen's Timesaver. If there is already a NMRA module group contact them to get input. Another option is Free-mo (free-mo.org) The advantage of Free-mo is its flexiblity. For example my first module is 54.5" long because that is what fit in my car.
The layout you're refering to did have some intermodal facilities but included a few more industries I think. I believe that series of articles was in or was reprinted in one of Kalmbacks special issue magazines but I can't remember which one.
Kalmback also publishes a book titled, "The Model Railroader's Guide to Intermodal Equipment & Operations." It has two articles about building an intermodal yard, one N and the other HO Scale.
An intermodal yard is relatively simple, a couple of tracks surrounded by a concrete pad with some type of crane or yard tractor to load and unload the trailors or containers and chassis for the containers. Add a gate and a guard house and you're on your way. Here are a few photos of the facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
So why not just build two modules? Yor're going to have to eventually anyway.
