New Train Room Started!!

[loco]

DaWolf, lol, ok, point taken. Thinking of running an average of 20 to 25 50' cars??? Not really sure how large the yard needs to be or the passing sidings. I know the info is out there on the proper ratio and such, just have not gotten that far along yet. The yard needs plenty of detailed work, and it's good to hear comments. Going shorter is always easier so I guess I just put in the largest yard I could.

Here is the dual main line with some more work - this latest layout design that I've been playing with just feel better. With the helix in the north corner it seems to give more overall room. All radius on the mains are 32 or better and the branch is 20". I'm getting better at the cad work and that's make everything a lot more fun just seeing what can and can not fit. The yellow lines are the bench work. With one foot squares. Not happy with the turntable area, but it's at least on paper.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff13/Ahmenra/TrainLayoutDoubleMain11-06-2008.jpg

 

[NYC_George]

Some layout advise

Hi loco,

The room looks great. Here's some things to think about.

I have a 24’ X 30’ double deck layout. I avoided all reverse loops I think there just to much trouble for three and four engine consists. I started with a double main lower level and single main upper level but I later added a second main. The layout works much better with double mains on both levels. People in the area hear about the layout and want to see it. The more trains I run the better they like it. There’s lots of action for them this way. Our club also meets here. It’s way better with the double mains. There’s just a lot more train movement options. I gave the track plan a lot of thought. Having double mains, no reverse loops and a one track up and one track down helix was not easy to figure out, but it works great. Our club has five members so I need the wide aisles but I sometime get 4 or 5 visitors at once so it’s a good thing I have the extra space. You can plan on the people coming over to look. I built trays for soda, beer etc. into the bench work. The visitors stay for hours so the trays come in handy.

NYC_George

 

[DaWolf85]

1. Double crossovers are not always necessary.
2. You say a double track mainline add more options, NYC George. I personally think that, if done right, a single track main with passing sidings actually adds more to the excitement and fun of it. If the trains are always running it gets boring, they have to stop every once in a while.
3. 20-25 cars is a good size consist length for this size layout. If you also run some 10-15 car locals every once in a while, it might be cool.
4. What era is this going to be in?
5. That small peninsula with the turntable is the engine terminal, right? And, usually a turntable looks better with a roundhouse.
6. Do you have Track Planning for Realistic Operation? Because I found that book immensely helpful in planning my layout.
7. Have you ever looked at a copy of Model Railroader? Because that magazine has very helpful hints in it. I believe they ran an article in their April 2008 issue (march, really) about how to build a helix. it may not have been April but they definitely ran one.
8. Look at how many industries you will have. If you don't have enough, it won't be as fun.

 

[NYC_George]

Double mains etc.

A double crossover allows you to make more moves within a smaller space. That’s the reason I have one on the main line in front of my engine house tracks.
As far as double main’s go. Our club runs freight and passenger trains. With 3 people running trains all at the same time. The one main created a big bottle neck. Remember this is not a real railroad. All the engineers arrive at my house at 7pm. They all have to get their engines out and pick up the heck. Run around the hack. Pick up their cars put the hack on the back of the train. If I didn’t have the two mains, just that would take an hour to get done. We only meet for 2 and ½ hours. That’s only my opinion of what was happening on club night. On the real railroad that takes one crew about 45 minutes to get done without anybody else in their way. That’s one of the reasons I added the second main. Less waiting around to get going and a little more fun.
The New York Central and New Heaven railroads had four mains so that’s kind of what I’m use to. I can see your point about the single main, but make sure that’s what you want because changing things later may not be possible.

NYC_George

 

[UP2CSX]

I've found that larger club layouts really do benefit from a double track main. If you're showing the layout off to non-model railroaders, they want to see the trains run, not stop and wait in sidings for passing trains. You can always add a branch line for that kind of operations if it's just the club members but anything open to the public benefits from enough track to keep two trains running without an operator spending all his time trying to avoid a cornfield meet.

 

[loco]

NYC-George, thanks for the good comments. I will, no doubt, have folks over to see the layout, many of them will be kids - hence I'm not so sure drinks will be allowed! One reason I'm building this is to run trains with my daughter who is seven as well as other "non model RR'ers" who I want to be able to grab a controller and run them. I also belong to a train club, don't really think there will be more than three of us ever at one time including myself. But will take your thoughts to heart - I'll try to work on the isles and keep them as wide as possible. Also, that's an interesting comment about the reverse loops... will make a mental note of that as well.

DaWolf, after reading (again, and again, and again) Track Planning for Realistic Ops, I do agree that the single line would be a tad more in tune with the prototypes. However, prototypes didn't have pre-teen engineers so for now the dual main line is in. I really want this to be easy enjoyable for first timers. And - I like double crossovers! And lots of crazy track works!! That being said, it don't mean I'm just going to have them for no reason. But not going to shy away cool track works either. I may come to regret this, but going to give it a shot, even I have to learn to hand lay track to some degree. (Yah, I know, this is going to bite me in the butt years from now when you all quote this post.)

There are/were a good couple articles on building a helix. I have them all flagged and even looked into the prebuildt helix that is available online. The building of the bench work and such is not much of a worry, I can handle that. It's the DERN cad software that is KMA!!!!!! And yes, that whole turntable and south yard is wack... just getting an idea of the size and where it might go. I would like to have a nice yard/service area for the big steam and turbines.

I have about every mag subscription MRR, MRC, Clasic, and most every MRR book and many others. I even located the Big Book of DCC put out by Digitrax. Heck, that's all I've been able to do for the last two+ years is read while I was out in the field. But 80% of them are still boxed up on the west coast. Should be getting the rest of my stuff here within the next month - and my Harley's!!! Yah, just in time for the winter So I have a solid (as quick sand) idea of where I'm going, just need the details. And learn about a million things.

The era is 50ish - I like how Joe F. runs his on a 10 year time cycle. Might do something like 1954-64, still undecided.

OH, check this site out. It's sort of an interesting thing. And I guess I have officially come up with my layout's name.

http://www.dallasmodelworks.com/myrailroad.asp?ID=7

Okies, I'm going to be on the road for a week so I will not be able to revamp much of anything.... ya, back to sitting and reading. I'm so ready to have this job wrapped up.........

As always, thanks for taking the time to give a glance. Real world working suggestions make all the difference.


p.s. If anyone happen to have Great Model RR, 1998 issue, check out John Gray's layout (cover) of the UP: Wyoming Division: HOLY MOTHER OF BIG UP POWER - all mostly brass too. Looks like he Kept Tom Marsh's shelves cleaned out!

 

[DakotaLove39]

Those turbines are sexy. How much did they run you?

 

[DaWolf85]

good point UP2CSX

And, NYC George, do you really think a double crossing is necessary to get into a spur?
A single crossing would be more realistic, cost less, and all of it would be used.
I'm not saying that double crossings are useless, I'm saying they are unnecessary in certain situations. You misunderstand me.

 

[Yard_Duty]

Kills me how these threads just stop. Every one I've read so far.