New Layout - Switching Scales - Topeka ATSF 1970-71

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Well I've been tearing my old O gauge layout up - cleaning everything up and getting ready to build an ho layout in my space. Tore the last of the old benchwork out today and began to play with my first 8' x 18" shelf (Pauline section in drawing below).

While it's in no way a final product, I've got a basic plan to play with that allows for two mainlines for 75% of layout so I can run ATSF and MoPac on separate tracks. The layout idea goes south and east from Topeka yard incorporating Pauline and Lawrence into the design. Frito lay, Lawrence Paper, DuPont, Bowersock Dam, the Pauline COOP, Wheelans Lumber, and the Topeka Shops are planned out with room for other industries.

I've drawn in Topeka yard with a wye at 10th st and a wye at 1st with some industry options off the 1st st wye.

Not by any means finished - but It's a start.
IMG_20160615_011951.jpg
 
iT'S A GOOD LOOKING PLAN. i SEE THAT NOT ONLY CAN YOU HAVE TRAINS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY, BUT THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF SWITCHING POSSIBILITIES. KEEP THE UPDATES COMING. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE YOUR PROGRESS.
 
Jacobpaul81 said:
While it's in no way a final product, I've got a basic plan to play with that allows for two mainlines for 75% of layout so I can run ATSF and MoPac on separate tracks. The layout idea goes south and east from Topeka yard incorporating Pauline and Lawrence into the design. Frito lay, Lawrence Paper, DuPont, Bowersock Dam, the Pauline COOP, Wheelans Lumber, and the Topeka Shops are planned out with room for other industries.

I've drawn in Topeka yard with a wye at 10th st and a wye at 1st with some industry options off the 1st st wye.
Click to expand...
Looks really good. I apologize, seems I never got around to uploading the one's I had been working on, and then forgot about the thread. I did contact the SFRMHS archives and they forwarded my request to someone else. I never heard back. I assume everyone is too busy getting ready for the convention next week.
 


Thanks! I've put in a lot of thought to how I could make it have the look of Topeka yard but run continuously. Right now my only debate is if I have this backwards. Right now the yards are mirrored from how they actually are. I might flip it so that the shops are on the opposite end and move the Lawrence industries to the alcove. That might allow for the cross-over the MoPac / ATSF make in-between downtown Topeka and Pauline.

See - now I'm liking that even better.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
An alternative. This flips Topeka the right way and takes it down to one main - which is accurate - drops Lawrence in favor of going south to Osage City where MoPac and ATSF re-met on the southern route.
IMG_20160615_222129649.jpg
 
SD90 said:
I love watching layout plans change as different ideas come together!
Click to expand...

Thanks! As so often happens with layouts, life gets in the way. I'm now fortunately planning a move for spring 2017 (if not sooner) - unfortunate for any permanent layout goals - but good for me personally.

I've also been playing with the idea - and have since decided - that I want to move up my modelling period to include the steam era. I was looking through old shop pictures and I just loved the steamers being worked on. 1954 is the beginning of TOFC and the San Francisco Chief. Looking at around that time period.
 
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