Northeastern HO scale switching layout

[Sirfoldalot]

I'm happy that you went with the 24x48 size. I do not think you would have been happy with the smaller size.
Personally, I just like the slightly smaller 4 wheel trucked locos - they are just more versatile on a smaller layout.
If you have that 16 feet in length - I have a plan for you - I just have to find it - i'm looking - just can't remember where I stuck it!

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Here it is --- I always wanted to build this - never got around to it - maybe you have given me the push!
Lots of switching moves here .. as you can see it is a waypoint on a larger layout.

 

[kleiner]

@Sirfoldalot Thanks for the designs - I will take a look at them.

As it happens, here is an update - this is now the full benchwork: 2 ft by 12 ft. I decided that 12 ft would be enough so I did not add another module.
Also, I added legs to all modules so each module is free standing. Thanks to the leveling screws I installed in the legs, I am able to get the modules to line up pretty accurately. You can see the blue foam behind the benchwork - that will be next.

 

[kleiner]

Here it is --- I always wanted to build this - never got around to it - maybe you have given me the push!
Lots of switching moves here .. as you can see it is a waypoint on a larger layout.

I just love the Agony layout design you posted. Let me see if I can fit it in 12 ft by 2 ft. Need to fire up 3rd Planit

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Another set of the same photos, however with these can be enlarged and moved around on the screen to see details better.

 

[kleiner]

There is also the question of track choice. I have favored Atlas for the past few layouts and it has worked well. The cost is reasonable and by using the Tam Valley Frog Juicer, I can get my locos to crawl through turnouts without any hesitation.

However, I wonder if I should take a look at Peco or Walthers. Still a bit undecided - needs some thought.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I just love the Agony layout design you posted. Let me see if I can fit it in 12 ft by 2 ft. Need to fire up 3rd Planit

Looks like it gives you NINE industries to switch plus a team track at the depot!

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Most here seem to favor the Peco Brand. If I built this i would have to go back to "hand laid" and use fast tracks switches.
I know it's to NOT be in a hurry, but there is so much satisfaction in doing it!

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I have a friend in KC who says he can turn out the fast track turnouts one an hour!

 

[kleiner]

I am using these leveling screws (got off Amazon) for the legs. Nice thing is that they can be adjusted very easily from above and they have lock nuts.

 

[kleiner]

Another set of the same photos, however with these can be enlarged and moved around on the screen to see details better.

@Sirfoldalot I think this is from some old issue of Model Railroader - can you tell me which issue? I have a subscription to the new trains.com website and they have the full archives included in the subscription.

 

[kleiner]

@Sirfoldalot I was able to take a first go at creating the West Agony layout in my 12 x 2 space available in 3rd Planit. Its looking promising but needs some more tweaking

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I did not think that the plan was any more than 24 inches wide, but seems maybe to be more like 30 inches? The reason I say that is because your drawing looks a little tight?
You are correct - It is from MR. I want to say between 64 and 70? If you can do a search - look for WEST AGONY.
I will never find it again - my back copies are too jumbled. If you need the article - Send a PM to member ASHPIT. I believe that he has a MR disc of issues and could do a possible search?

 

[kleiner]

I still have a lot of tweaking that I have to do on my version of West Agony. I just wanted to see if there was any chance at all that not would fit in the space available.
One thought I have had is to add two foldable planks on each side of the layout to provide the runaround space for switching operations. In that case, it would be a lot easier to fit the entire plan in 12 by 2 space.
Anyway, this promises to be a fun activity - am looking forward to this.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

After looking more close - it seems to be at least 36 inches wide.
There were no dimensions in the article (I remember that) It was a switching "puzzle" with 35- 40 moves to complete.
I'll look for the issue tomorrow.

 

[Rico]

Just when you thought you might get a good nights sleep, I came across this website: https://web.archive.org/web/2015111...nline.no/~steinjr/trains/modelling/index.html
Mmwahaha!

 

[kleiner]

Just when you thought you might get a good nights sleep, I came across this website: https://web.archive.org/web/2015111...nline.no/~steinjr/trains/modelling/index.html
Mmwahaha!

Thanks! thats a great set of plans! Some of them look really promising too. I was working on finishing up my modules yesterday. I'll post an update in a bit.

 

[kjd]

I did not think that the plan was any more than 24 inches wide, but seems maybe to be more like 30 inches? The reason I say that is because your drawing looks a little tight?
You are correct - It is from MR. I want to say between 64 and 70? If you can do a search - look for WEST AGONY.
I will never find it again - my back copies are too jumbled. If you need the article - Send a PM to member ASHPIT. I believe that he has a MR disc of issues and could do a possible search?

http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2018/06/my-ballard-track-arrangement.html July 1960, Terry Walsh’s West Agony & Inchoate Railroad

 

[Sirfoldalot]

WOW, PAUL!
Thanks for chiming in. You nailed it.

 

[kleiner]

http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2018/06/my-ballard-track-arrangement.html July 1960, Terry Walsh’s West Agony & Inchoate Railroad

I can't thank you enough - I read the whole article and wow, is it well written. These older issues of MR really have some great material in them!