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Here are my final (latest?) thoughts on a yard for the end of my layout.  I’ve moved the turntable to a different location to have longer lead tracks and engine servicing.  However, the big change is I replaced the single crossover for the arrival/departure (A/D) track to mainline connection with a RCS double crossover.  This is not what I wanted, but it was the only way I could fit in a crossover from the drill track/yard lead to the main line in order to switch long freights that cannot fit on the A/D track.  It’s also very tight for coupling cars together (that’s why I’m a HighRailer and not 3RS).  Additionally, I will lose the #5 turnouts that were originally there for the main to A/D crossover.  The #4 turnouts of the double crossover may cause problems for my larger engines when they back across it to couple up to a consist on the A/D track.

 

Basically I’m losing some features I liked and adding questionable track work to get this added functionality.  I will build this section first and test it to see if it works.  If not, I will give up the drill to main crossover.

 

Ron

 

 

Jul2014 Yard diagram

20Jul2014 full layout-dbl X-yard

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  • Jul2014 Yard diagram
  • 20Jul2014 full layout-dbl X-yard
Last edited by CAPPilot
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Bill,

 

I apologize but I don't see what you are saying.  There is a run around track (in red in the schematic), and to me it makes it easier for a train entering counter clockwise to the A/D track (from the left) to get to the round house.  A train entering from clockwise (from the right) has to do at least one back-and-forth movement to get to the roundhouse.  (NOTE:  Engines from the large engine yard will mostly use the mainline to exchange with other engines on through trains.  These engines could use the run-around track and double crossover to stay off the mainline, but that would entail several back-and-forth movements. The roundhouse will be where I keep the engines for my local freights, switchers, and commuter trains.)

 

I think the design does a good job of getting engines moved without interfering with the drill track, but the run-around track did prevent adding another classification track and required two full ladders at the ends.  One of my first designs had a couple of the classification tracks as stub-ended, allowing more cars in the yard.

 

Ron

jpc,

 

The layout is L shaped, 30' X 32', in a 30' X 35' basement.  It could be described as a bent dogbone.  The track continues off to the right on a 90 degree turn and goes into a similar shaped area as the yard area.  Where the track is narrow is the town, and then it goes into the "countryside".

 

I have 14' of width to use on both legs.  I'm limited to this width because of the staircase that comes down in the middle of the room, plus the need to have some storage space for all of my and my wife's stuff and clear the utilities.

 

The grid is 12" squares if that helps.

 

Ron

Last edited by CAPPilot

jpc,

 

Only one, and it was a fairly simple 14' X 30' tabletop layout.  What I learned from it was to make sure all the joints in RR-Track were perfectly smooth or else the actual track lay down will have kinks that will be hard to fix.  Other things I learned about my needs:  use as large a curve as possible, have loops for "loop running" but also trackage that allows some realistic operations, and use RCS switches.  I had examples of all makes of switches, but after seeing how smooth the RCS switches were in tight places (and some S turns), I got rid of all the others.  For a HighRailer, I believe RCS is the only way to go.

 

ADDED: Also use at least 4.5 inches center-center on the curves.  On my first layout I used RCS and Gargraves which are 4" C-C and that was not enough on my O-72/O-80 curves.  I now use Atlas curves (4.5" C-C) with the minimum inside track of O-81 on the double track mainline.  The curves in my yard have a minimum 4" C-C which will work for my 1940s era freight cars.

 

Ron

Last edited by CAPPilot

You will be glad that you have 5-6' of straight track leading to the TT. Makes placing all the service structures a lot easier. We just went through placing all those items on our inbound and outbound tracks to the TT after pulling them out and re-doing them. We only have 3'-4', and it's on a curve. Made it real tough. I would also suggest not placing those 2 tracks in permanently until you have all the structures you are going to put in so the tracks can be spaced for spotting/unloading of the raw materials.

 

Another suggestion is when putting them in and doing the wiring, put common wires on both outside rails......just in case. You don't want to have to add a wire later.    

Originally Posted by Bryan Smith:
Originally Posted by OGR Webmaster:

You included a yard lead! How about that!

Explain the importance of a yard lead track.

When switching cars to make up or break down a train, it helps a lot to have a track at least the length of your longest yard track, where your switcher can work. A separate track that allows you to keep the main open. That's a yard lead. If you have the space it is a useful and realistic feature.

Originally Posted by CAPPilot:

Bill,

 

I apologize but I don't see what you are saying.  There is a run around track (in red in the schematic), and to me it makes it easier for a train entering counter clockwise to the A/D track (from the left) to get to the round house.  A train entering from clockwise (from the right) has to do at least one back-and-forth movement to get to the roundhouse.  (NOTE:  Engines from the large engine yard will mostly use the mainline to exchange with other engines on through trains.  These engines could use the run-around track and double crossover to stay off the mainline, but that would entail several back-and-forth movements. The roundhouse will be where I keep the engines for my local freights, switchers, and commuter trains.)

 

I think the design does a good job of getting engines moved without interfering with the drill track, but the run-around track did prevent adding another classification track and required two full ladders at the ends.  One of my first designs had a couple of the classification tracks as stub-ended, allowing more cars in the yard.

 

Ron

OK, good planning. For some reason n the red track doesn't show up on my computer.

Daniel Auger posted:

 

Did you complete it ?  If you could share pictures, that would be appreciated !

Daniel,

I got pretty far along in building the yard area around to the turntable and then decided I wanted longer classification tracks that didn't have the curve in them.  So I'm using the whole 30' X 35' basement area.  The yard operational design is pretty much the same but two of the tracks are stub end.  I now have longer leads to a larger turntable, and more diesel engine tracks to hold my E7 ABA, F3 ABA, Centipedes, and other transition era consists.  I still have the yard lead so I can work the classification tracks without interfering with the main lines or the ARR/DEP track (to keep Rich happy), and a better run around track.  One area that I'm still looking at is the ARR/DEP track is a bit short.

Only problem: finishing the layout.

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