Bad Order
New Member
Uber new member here. I found the site through a search for industrial switching layouts. Seeing the article I thought joining up and getting help was a very good thing. My question for the forum has probably been asked so many times some might feel ill reading yet " another " track plan question. My apologies in advancce.
I have been planning a " industrial " type switching layout in HO scale for a while. My space is limited to 8' X 2'. I am trying to squeeze in fiddle yards on both ends..it looks like a 50/50 shot for now.
I am challenged as a modeler. There are many issues I am having to deal with, I am wheelchair bound, my hands shake like earthquake starters and my eyesight isn't even close to what it used to be. That being said, I am trying to overcome those issues in my attempt at model railroading.
My layout height will be somewhat lower that most might think apropriate..around 32" from the floor.
My eyesight and shaky hands limit my use of a soldering iron to such a degree I now plan on using Kato Unitrack for HO. I understand it's not the best, can look a bit " toy " like and doesn't have a flex track option, but for me, the ease of use and the ability to provide wire drops thru track connections outweights the possible negatives.
I currently have a NCE Powercab DCC system but I am going to have to find a wireless solution so as to not get tangled up in my movement along the table with the wheelchair using a tethered controller. I am looking at a Digitrax EVO solution but the price point is a bit intimidating. I have read a bit and watched a few videos on Audrino DCC++EX but I have ZERO knowledge of that system at all. There may be other DCC wireless solutions I am unaware of.
My motor power is crazy as I have been collecting and converting to DCC for a while. I have a HH-660, a gaggle of GP loccomotives and a few Dash-8B's. I had a older Baldwin locomive but my grip is very poor and I dropped it while back attempting to clean the wheels. It look me half a day just to find MOST of the pieces..LOL
My inspiration comes from a freind's idea about a HEB Store Distributor location in San Antonio Texas. They hve an huge distribution facility that is almost if not completely serviced by truck but strangely enough has railraod track surounding most of the faciltiy. I chose the " Snack Factory " and decided to modify the layout to make it a rail served business. The original location does have a silo for flour but anything else included on my plan is pure fiction on my part. I included a " team track " area just so that I could or would have a different location besides the HEB Plant to have a more varied rail service.
I hope you folks will look at the plan I have so far and review or critisize as needed. I apologize in advance for the rough layout, I used the free version of SCARM to get what I now have. I have used flex track in many of the curves because I couldn't find the coresponding track in the Kato database. Nothing is locked in stone except the table size of 8' X 2'. Turnouts to be used will be Kato 2-852/853 with 21 5/8th radii turns.
Many thanks in advance for any and all help
I have been planning a " industrial " type switching layout in HO scale for a while. My space is limited to 8' X 2'. I am trying to squeeze in fiddle yards on both ends..it looks like a 50/50 shot for now.
I am challenged as a modeler. There are many issues I am having to deal with, I am wheelchair bound, my hands shake like earthquake starters and my eyesight isn't even close to what it used to be. That being said, I am trying to overcome those issues in my attempt at model railroading.
My layout height will be somewhat lower that most might think apropriate..around 32" from the floor.
My eyesight and shaky hands limit my use of a soldering iron to such a degree I now plan on using Kato Unitrack for HO. I understand it's not the best, can look a bit " toy " like and doesn't have a flex track option, but for me, the ease of use and the ability to provide wire drops thru track connections outweights the possible negatives.
I currently have a NCE Powercab DCC system but I am going to have to find a wireless solution so as to not get tangled up in my movement along the table with the wheelchair using a tethered controller. I am looking at a Digitrax EVO solution but the price point is a bit intimidating. I have read a bit and watched a few videos on Audrino DCC++EX but I have ZERO knowledge of that system at all. There may be other DCC wireless solutions I am unaware of.
My motor power is crazy as I have been collecting and converting to DCC for a while. I have a HH-660, a gaggle of GP loccomotives and a few Dash-8B's. I had a older Baldwin locomive but my grip is very poor and I dropped it while back attempting to clean the wheels. It look me half a day just to find MOST of the pieces..LOL
My inspiration comes from a freind's idea about a HEB Store Distributor location in San Antonio Texas. They hve an huge distribution facility that is almost if not completely serviced by truck but strangely enough has railraod track surounding most of the faciltiy. I chose the " Snack Factory " and decided to modify the layout to make it a rail served business. The original location does have a silo for flour but anything else included on my plan is pure fiction on my part. I included a " team track " area just so that I could or would have a different location besides the HEB Plant to have a more varied rail service.
I hope you folks will look at the plan I have so far and review or critisize as needed. I apologize in advance for the rough layout, I used the free version of SCARM to get what I now have. I have used flex track in many of the curves because I couldn't find the coresponding track in the Kato database. Nothing is locked in stone except the table size of 8' X 2'. Turnouts to be used will be Kato 2-852/853 with 21 5/8th radii turns.
Many thanks in advance for any and all help
