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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!

ArcadeAtticaV2

ArcadeAtticaV3

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Peter, I like the second plan including the wye better as well. The onne thing I'd really like on that one is a longer run between Arcade and Curriers. Space, however, is limiting.

I don't really think I have the space to include the rest of the line or the prison. It could be neat, but I don't think it will fit. Besides, my preference is modern rolling stock, so I plan on setting the layout in present day. The rest of line no longer exists.

 Chris, I really like the design and the fact that your modeling a prototypical RR and it's operations.  I'm far from an expert in layout design. I'm looking at the yard area on the right. The design is nice. You have a lot going on in an area a little over a foot wide. Just wondering about the track spacing. On straight portions you can get by by with minimum clearances. You have a lot of turnouts at one end and curves at the other. Most every turnout has a clearance point for cars to clear the adjacent track. While I like the design. Just wondering how many cars you can actually get into the yard. On paper it looks to be about a dozen. Looks to involve about 6 turnouts to do this.  The fact that your operating 44 toners may be a good thing. The steamer you mention is perfect for a short line running an excursion train. As curves get tight even a small steamer has a lot of cab overhang. 

 In my early years long before computers I would draw up elaborate yards on graph paper. When it came time to lay the track I then realized I was going to a lot of trouble and expense just to park a couple of cars

When all else fails, look at Wikipedia.....I found that the A&A Alco 2-8-0 was not

the one I thought it might be, this being A&A #18 built in 1920, vs. one built in 1937.  They also have a 4-6-0 Baldwin #14 in storage needing big bucks to rebuild.  That roster is kind of my image of a shortline roster....a 4-6-0 for mail, pass., and mixed trains, and the 2-8-0 for freight moves (all interchanged in duties as needed).  Of course, I have no will power to keep it that small.

I like the idea of taking out a yard track - give more aisle space and possibly better access with the yard. I'll re-work it and post the new design in a few days.

 

As for the second set of switches, I like the idea for operations, however that interchange is designed based on the real A&A - the main thing I did differently than the real one is connect the stub at North Java back to the interchange for continuous running. Anybody have any input as to this with the interchange? Make it so we can go back-and-forth between the B&P and A&A easier, or leave the interchange prototypical?

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