Hello,
I've had some time to think on exactly what it is in a layout that I want, and ultimately I decided that I want a relatively prototypical type operation. I've been a fan of the Arcade & Attica Railroad in upstate NY for some time, having ridden it multiple times growing up and again prior to moving to Virginia. It offers what I want in a layout - a railroad set in the 21st century yet with operational steam.
A general overview - the A&A is a class III shortline, that has both limited freight as well as passenger excursion operations. It is approximately 15 miles long. Motive power is currently a 44-tonner, a 65-tonner, and an ALCO 2-8-0. At one end, Arcade Junction, it interchanges with trackage owned by Norfolk Southern but operated by the Class II Buffalo and Pittsburgh Railroad. It runs through the wye, station and engine servicing area in the village of Arcade, out through open country. The opposite end of the passenger excursions is Currier Junction, where a second passing siding allows the engine to couple to the back of the train and back the opposite way. The mainline continues past Curriers to North Java, where the main freight customer, the Reisdorf Brothers Feed Mill, is located.
My layout room is the room over the garage, approximately 18' x 19'. I have designed a layout where the outer loop, which will get elevated, is a single-track main line representing the BPRR. I will ultimately run B&P freights, the occasional NS freight, and because it's my layout and I can do what I want, the occasional Amtrak passenger train. I do have a double-ended yard that will be primarily used for storage / staging. I used Google Maps to look at the A&A right of way and have attempted to condense / represent the interchange track. I then used a peninsula to weave the A&A mainline through the center of the room. The A&A line ultimately loops back around and connects to the Arcade Junction interchange, this will allow for more continuous running. Curve radii on the BPRR line are O-72 minimum, and on the A&A are O-54 minumum.
I have attached a couple of different versions / configurations below, both as an image and as a RR-Track file. One version includes the recently-reconstructed wye, the other does not. I think I want the wye to exist, although it is primarily used for storage and not actually turning locomotives / rolling stock. Any input or advice on my track plans would be greatly appreciated. I intend to use MTH Scale-Trax. While I used sectional track to help with the layout design and curves, I intend to use primarily flex track so I can better smooth out curves. I will have to build two lift-out sections, one to access the room, and one to access the storage closet.
Thanks for your help!
