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I've the itch to take down my shelf layout and take over the middle of the room with (2) 4x8's arranged in an "L".
Dreaming of lots of trees and some elevation changes (of the scenery, not of the roadbed)
simple, relaxed running and only minimal switching ops (just one well-served industry)
using the 60's era locos and cars I already have
turnouts are 6's and 8's (manually operated)
all curves 22" radius what do you think fo the plan? what would make it better?
PS
Its surprising how quickly the sq footage gets absorbed!
Can also move interchange to top right and gain a separate team track siding and an industry at previous interchange location. However, runaround capability and independence/separation of mainline operation from switching operation is lost with this setup though...
If you’re only going to have a few industrial or stub tracks make one a team track to maximize the car types you can spot there. Pretty much anything goes!
Plan #4 has a lot going for it. Would be easy to add yet another siding or two for industries or whatever.
I really like the #8 turnouts (and #6 too, if desired). The bigger the turnout, the smoother the trains will operate.
Hmmm, while I like #8 turnouts (the museum uses #10s), when you are dealing with 22" radius curves and this small of an area, they are mostly a space waster. #8s would normally go with (match operationally) 36" and larger radius curves.
I think you need the passing track of design 1,2, and 4. But I miss the team track of #3. Or if it is really just a run around as you said, I think it could be much shorter.
In #4 if one is a team track what are the other two?
With the interchange, personally I would do 2 tracks one for set outs and one for pickups. Make it a tiny fiddle yard.
JUst wondering if you have access to that back corner where all the switching is going to be? If not, you might consider moving that area to somewhere you can actually reach. That's where derailments are most likely to occur. If you have access to that area, you'll be fine. If not, you;re asking for trouble.
Getting better all the time!
I’m not sure what program you’re using but there are some that you can run a train around to see how you like it.
It’s helped me relocate switches, buildings, etc. to fine tune the plans.
I use scarm myself, it’s easy and free to boot.
JUst wondering if you have access to that back corner where all the switching is going to be? If not, you might consider moving that area to somewhere you can actually reach. That's where derailments are most likely to occur. If you have access to that area, you'll be fine. If not, you;re asking for trouble.
