Another Anyrail 8x20 ...starting to get the hang of this.

Here's the original John Armstrong design

I've added some centenary for the NH line. Still working on how to do the heights. What's a good number to shoot for in terms of clearences taking into consideration that the benchwork will be 1/2 thick? What about grades considering that most trains will be fairly short?  Lastly, I wasn't sure about the switches. I've used 72' just because some of my locomottives require it; but I think that I could have saved some space with other types #4,#6 etc.. I wasn't sure that they could be negotiated by some locomotives. Is there a rule to that?

Any advice on minimum clearances and grades for this layout. There will be no long consists. Mostly commuter.

Also...I'm about to redo this plan as I've gotten more skilled at using Anyrail (this was my second plan). My question is: can a locomotive that needs 72 inch curves (in this case an MTH P-2 electric) negotiate number four switches?

Thanks

B

I've looked at your drawings/pictures and honestly can't figure out the schematic or the number of levels.  Any chance you could upload the actual Anyrail file because those details might be available there, and then those with access to that program might be able to help you.

Chuck

Thanks for the reply. I haven't done any levels or grades as I have not yet mastered the process (working on it). I'm also not sure of what would be a good rule of thumb in terms of clearances or grades, considering that all trains utilized on this layout will be relatively short. The gray area descends to the white area (note the lettering on the tunnel openings).  the dark green is the lowest level and accesses a holding area. The light green is the highest elevation. The yellow is the return loop with holding track.

Clearances needed and distance between those clearances will dramatically affect your grades.  So, start with clearances.  If you are going to run electrics of any sort, your "lowest" clearance will be defined as the distance between your rail-top and the highest point that your electrical contact on the engine (sorry, the name of that gizmo escapes me now) reaches with the gizmo in the "up" position.  That plan looks like it will need steep grades, and I think it was only designed for one or two car trains.

Chuck