Need switching ideas

Ivan,

 

Here's my 12x12 layout:

 

 

Here's one that one of the Hikel brothers did up for me:

 

 

The only reason I didn't use it was because I already had existing track I wanted to reuse instead of buying new, especially switches.

 

I've since added a "yard/staging area" down the left side of my layout:

 

 

I also have plans to expand it and add another WYE:

 

 

I have the 1st layout in an upstairs room.  The upstairs is basically one big room, but there's a dividing wall 2/3 of the width of the room where I've got the 2nd WYE located.  The stairs are just on the bottom side of this location to the right.

 

I used 072 curves on the outer track and 054 on the inner.  The diagonal piece is a lift-out "bridge" for gaining access to the middle of the room.  This enables me to run around the loop, but I can also remove it and use it for just switching, turning the engine around at the 054 WYE at the top.

 

Hope this helps!

Oh, I have the following engines:

 

MTH RailKing Imperial 0-6-0

MTH RailKing 2-8-0

MTH Railking NW2

MTH RailKing RS3

Atlas GP9 (with PS2 installed)

Williams E7 (needs 072 curves because I have fixed the pilot)

 

I also have a Weaver 4-6-0 (054 curves) that I'm modifying and will soon be getting a 3rd Rail E7 (072 curves).

 

All the MTH engines and the Atlas engine take a 054 curve fine, even with fixed pilots and Kadee couplers.

That 12 x 12 layout is probably the best use of a small space I have seen on this forum.  It is easily expanded to fit your 13 x 13 space.  What I like is the loop portion is entirely seperated from the "working" area so you can have a short consist doing circuts of the room while you work the local industries.  Keep the trains short, 40 foot cars, 3-5 car trains and have fun adding details.

This is incredibly helpful.  The layout ideas and the engine choices are both excellent. 

THANKS!!!

 

I have a couple of 50 and 60 foot cars, but most are basic 40 footers.

 

If I have cars on sidings I usually gather them up (when ready) and make up an outbound train, while running the loop with an inbound train.  When the outbound train is ready the inbound loop train arrives and I swap engines and cabooses so the outbound train is ready to depart and the new arrival is ready to break down and deliver to the industries (while the outbound train runs the loop).

 

The lift out bridge is over 6 feet long, but light and easy to move.  I have a 2-prong plug at one end to provide power and can unplug it to remove the bridge.

 

The area to the left of the 054 WYE is a downtown area:

 

Ivan,

 

Of all my engines, the GP9, NW2, and 0-6-0 are all PS2 engines, the others are conventional.  I use the NW2 and 0-6-0 to move cars around the yard and the industrial sidings, while the GP9 is either inbound or outbound on the main line.

 

For the $$$, the RailKing Imperial 0-6-0 can't be beat.  It's a fine running engine and sounds are great IMO.  I can slow it down to a crawl and with Kadee couplers I can gently couple/uncouple without making the cars move.

 

Another good engine would be the RailKing VO-1000 with PS2.  I want to upgrade my RS3 to PS2 (has Locosounds now) as I like the looks of those old diesels with the rounded edges.

This is a part of my layout about 12'X6'  Switching is done on about 1/2 of that area.
Click on the image to access a video about 9 minutes.

Nice video.  The York TCA show is coming up in October.  Hopefully I can find a nice PRR switcher like the one you have in your video.  Is that the Imperial you had mentioned?

 

Thanks,

 

Ivan