New HO layout plan

[nsconductor]

Hopefully posting the image works. If so, then you'll see it's really a "partial" design. This is because I'm using the free trial version of Anyrail 4, and it only allows like 50 pieces of track in the trial. I'm working on the yard now and will post it as soon as I have it done. It will be a partial of just the yard with the main area blank. This will be in one end of my finished basement. The measurements are very small, but maybe you can see them. If not just ask and I'll fill in the blank. This is mainly a rough draft, only want a few industries. Going to be HO, most of the mainline curves are 24ish radius. All switches are number 4 Atlas except the wye switches. Only cars and a couple of 4 axle locomotives will use these anyway. 6 axle locomotives (SD40-2) will stay primarily on the main and will use the wye at a very slow speed when entering the yard and the shop area. All yard switching will be done with 4 axle locomotives. Longest cars will be 72' Centerbeam flats and 73' 7,000 Cubic Ft Woodchip hoppers. These will be run at a very slow speed through switches.

 

[nsconductor]

And the yard...

Have to make do with what room I have. RIP track can serve mainly as storage for less used cars, and the Auxiliary track can be for many things. A caboose, locomotive, High/Wide car, MOW equipment, etc.

 

[SpaceMouse]

The main question I have is why are you using switchbacks to get to your industries when it is clearly possible to work around them.

 

[cajon]

The main question I have is why are you using switchbacks to get to your industries when it is clearly possible to work around them.

Am in total agreement w/ the above. You will get real tired real fast having to ALWAYS make switchback moves! Also you have no sidings to do runaround moves. For instance how are you going to move cars between the yard & interchange track. Guess you could tilt the table either way.

 

[nsconductor]

The switch backs could be adjusted, one of them anyway. I want to keep the one for the pulpwood yard. Similar to an industry I work around here. As far as runaround track, I'm planning to add one, but this was a "first plan" for the layout. As for the interchange, it would be 2 engines to work it using the wye (engine on each ends). Short cuts only (5-6 cars). Another similar situation as to this area. I'm open to any ideas though on a runaround. Before, the locals would shove back to the yard, using the wye so it doesn't matter which way they are pulling.

 

[nsconductor]

An adjustment on the mainline section. Gained a runaround and an industry. I made a mistake on what I said earlier, the switch back I wanted to retain was not the pulpwood lead, but the one with the crossing.

 

[SpaceMouse]

Why not bring your feed to the scrap yard from the right side of the layout. Then what you are using as a lead to the scrap yard now can be useful for another industry or as a team track.

Also, you could reverse the turnout going to the lower right and eliminate an "s" turn.

 

[flyboy2610]

Your scrap yard and the 'misc industry' next to it appear to be facing point spurs. The chemical industry and chip mill appear to be trailing point spurs, which you have to back into off the main. How will you get your inbound scrap and misc. industry cars attached to the front of the locomotive, and how will you get the outbound cars to the rear of the locomotive? Using the runaround on the right side of the layout won't prove to be too convenient for that. You may want to try to rework your industry crossing to incorporate a short run around there. It wouldn't need to be very long, just a couple of car lengths.

 

[cajon]

Better yet put the scrap yard/misc. industry spur off the siding w/ a LH switch. That way both industry spurs can be switched as trailing points. AND no switchback!

 

[nsconductor]

Good feedback guys, I've been busy today and haven't had much time to do any work on the plans. A few things have been running through my head though on some changes. Wanting to keep a "diamond" somewhere on the layout though. Don't really want the mainline crossing it's self or anything. Thought about maybe running a "foreign" double track across my mainline in some area with a double diamond crossing and doing away with the diamond in the spur track. Hoping to have a working track plan I'm happy with within 2 weeks. That's when I'm planning to start the bench work for this layout.

 

[cajon]

Did some doodling w/ your yard. Gave you 2 Xings when you had none.

 

[nsconductor]

Tried to make some changes based on your idea above, but can't make the crossing and the switches fit properly or line up. The new track you have running out to the lead also won't fit due to being too tight of a curve.

 

[nsconductor]

2 more adjustments to the Mainline and industries section.... still open to advice but I'm happy with either of these. The second will allow for a bit more switching though.

 

[cajon]

You might have problems switching the bottom spurs on the left side if any of the top spurs have cars in them. You can leave that one out & put a Xing between the 2 spurs on the siding on the right side. That would help fill the void in the middle of that side.

 

[nsconductor]

I've decided on a long 12" wide (connection) from the bottom left of the main table, over to the yard on the left. It would be a "crawl under" for now. That would give me easy access to my yard for road train without always having to use the wye. It would also allow for 2 large continuous loops.

 

[Beachbum]

Maybe I missed something here, but unless this is based on some prototype, I don't understand why a railroad would have the connection from the side of the Y to the lumber yard passing track.

You could consider shooting a divider down the middle of the big peninsula to break the space into two scenic areas. That would make it seem like a longer run rather than a big oval. And with a divider, you could hide that connection up top on the plan. And the Y becomes a junction of some kind. Yeah... I like that idea. LOL! (But seriously, it's YOUR layout so...) Could be the best of two worlds - point-to-point AND a roundy-round.

Trains could come out of the yard and circle counterclockwise or clockwise indefinitely for when you want to just let 'em run and they could run back head end first back into the yard. No crawlunder would be needed in the lower left. I think Paul Dolkos' B&M layout had something like that.

 

[nsconductor]

Maybe I missed something here, but unless this is based on some prototype, I don't understand why a railroad would have the connection from the side of the Y to the lumber yard passing track.

Not sure what you mean by "connection from the Y to the lumber yard passing track". The wye connects to the yard, and the other two legs connect to the mainline in opposite directions. The lumber yard is on the other side of the layout. Not exactly based on any prototype in particular, only parts. In all honestly, any configuration of track could be prototypical to some degree on some railroad. I work for NS, and have concluded that anything that "make sense".....isn't what they want to do. I've been in several industries where the track layout is a nightmare....well perfect for people that like to triple switch cars just to pull a single empty. In fact, this one place would be excellent for somebody to model because it's so screwed up. lol

The track plan will change a bit now with the new connection. I'll do a bit more doodling and see what I can get. Wanting to try and fit a short grade in here somewhere on the mainline. Trying to find a good spot, so some things will have to be moved around a bit.

 

[West Virginia Midland Man]

The switch backs could be adjusted, one of them anyway. I want to keep the one for the pulpwood yard. Similar to an industry I work around here. As far as runaround track, I'm planning to add one, but this was a "first plan" for the layout. As for the interchange, it would be 2 engines to work it using the wye (engine on each ends). Short cuts only (5-6 cars). Another similar situation as to this area. I'm open to any ideas though on a runaround. Before, the locals would shove back to the yard, using the wye so it doesn't matter which way they are pulling.

Real RRs only use switchbacks when absolutely necessary. They are expensive in terms of both trackage laid and manpower. If you don't absolutely NEED them, don't use them.

 

[nsconductor]

Real RRs only use switchbacks when absolutely necessary. They are expensive in terms of both trackage laid and manpower. If you don't absolutely NEED them, don't use them.

I'm thinking on scraping the switch backs all together. I know of a few industries around on my territory that do have them. I'm just doing a little re-planning on a couple of spots. Trying to find a decent spot for a short grade.

 

[nsconductor]

After a bit more planning, I think I've settled on this. No switchbacks, double track mainline, a couple less industries. I still kept my wye, curves are all at least 24" including inside track, using Atlas #8 switches on the double crossover on the right.

The yard to the left, is still under planning.... I've even thought of running the double mainline over the bridge and through the original yard "shelf" on the left, and add 3-4 industries over there. Then maybe remove the double track main from the left side of the table, leaving only one track, and have a yard built there instead. That would give me a larger continuous running main.