Finally getting serious with a track plan!

If you are going counter-clockwise on the outer loop I do not see any way to get to the inner loop except backing the train up.

Thanks Bill,
That is just the kind of good advice and skilled eye that I was hoping for. I will add an appropriate pair of switches into the plan so a counter clockwise train can get to the inside loop. I will probably do that on the long straight at the top.

Thanks again,
Jim

Hi Jim...

I assume that is a wall that comes to a point at the bottom

of the drawing ?

I would try and take advantage of that if you can. It might give you a nice

perspective of hills or mountains going off into the distance.

Maybe move the entire layout to the center of the room to make room

for maybe a switching or industrial area...

 

Just a thought...

  Bruce..

 

Bruce,

The wall on the bottom is mostly 6 ft tall windows that look out to the  14,000' Colorado mountains.  That's lousy for a model RR layout but great for natural scenery and light!

 

Moving the layout more to the center of the room would restrict the movement from the area on the right side, the exercise room and mud room and the door way to the left towards a couple of other rooms.  Having a larger footprint would be ideal, but I am content with the space that I have.  It will be plenty to handle as is.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Jim

Salida, Colorado

In the Heart of the Rockies

 

 

Wow...

 Yup I agree..  The drawing did not show any

 windows so I assumed they were walls.  I'd do the same thing...

 Post some pictures when you get the bench work going...

One thing I see is you have a pretty long reach to some of the spots on the layout.  I see 9 feet and 7 feet of layout between the access aisles.  That seems to be a pretty long reach for anyone except Plastic-Man.

Hi John,

Thanks. The peninsulas between the access aisles are roughly 8.5 and 7 ft. wide.  Since both are accessible from either side that cuts the reach in half - 3.5 to 4 ft.  I know that is a stretch but little track will be in the center of the peninsulas.  If I find the reach too long I'll utilize an access hatch or a stool.

 

What I might do with rr-track is shade an area 40" from all sides and see what is beyond that reach.

 

Jim

Interesting plan with the huge reverse loops. I also notice the huge reach you will have in the upper areas.  Keep us posted.

I think what should be said, or I am assuming this, is that the side of the layout closest to the stairs is open, and the access aisle on the left and right sides are open at the top, thereby the reach problems don't really exist.  He is not showing the layout cutoff point at the top (again, I assume).  That being said, you need another crossover pair of switches between both loops to get from the outside loop to the inside loop.  Then you are good to go.  I would probably add a couple spurs for industries and purpose, even if you are not into switching exercises.   

You must be looking at a totally different track plan than I am.

 

Jim,

 

I would agree with John. You're going to want to be able to reach those middle areas for doing scenery etc. Like you already said yourself, some access hatches in those areas will prove most useful. You can make them hinged so they drop down to give you access.

 

In the long term, scenery that blocks the observer from seeing the far side of each peninsula will force them to view the layout from different areas.

 

Love the plan, awesome job!

 

Bruce

I don't see the reach problems as that critical.  I think it will be fine as is, just don't run around the corners at 180 mph, but a hatch wouldn't hurt to make things more accessible in that one area.  You definitely need another crossover, and like I said, I would add a couple spurs for industries and operating purpose.  

Thanks for the replies... I have tweaked the track plan a bit, adding the crossover on the top to take the counter clockwise outside to inside, widened an aisle to help with the reach and worked on RR-track to line up and tighten the points more.

 

I certainly will be adding spurs and sidings for industry!  I'll add those after I get the next level for the other two main lines.  Since I have quite a few tank cars and auto carriers in my roster I will certainly have destinations for those!

 

Once I get further on the detailed plan I'll work on the troublesome "reach area"  I'll play with a hatch (or an opening surrounded by moveable building fronts) Perhaps a square city block of building fronts with a trolley going around it!  The 10-12+ inch fronts should hide the opening from view since it would be on the upper leve.l

 

Again, thanks for all the advice.  I will post the track plan as I proceed.

 

Jim

Jim,

 

I concur with adding a hatch, or hatches. I have a number of hatches on my layout, and I am so glad I did them. I have:

 

• Two that are open spaces surrounded by building fronts – these are the easiest to use.

• One that folds down and is very easy to use.

• Two that raise up and are held by sliding tubes, and are relatively easy to use.

• Three that are removable. Lift them up a bit, tilt and down through the hole. Easy to use providing you have the space to put the hatch under the layout – not a problem on my layout.

• One that is a sliding lake. This one is not bad but just have to be careful sliding the lake Aquatex glass,which is 46 inches x 42 inches. I have rails that support it for sliding it out of the way.

• One that is a Millhouse River Studio 34” turntable that swings or folds down. It is supported on one side by a door hinge, and works great. It takes a minute to undo the eight thumb screws that hold it in place when it is up, and it provides a nice hatch.

 

I have shown most if not all the hatches in my layout construction thread – link below. The only problem is that I posted a lot of the pictures under the old forum format, and those pictures cannot be enlarged. If by chance you need any details, please just let me know.

 

Good luck!

 

Alex

I've been doing some more work with the track plan.

- I've added an access that will be in the city area.  It will be hidden by building fronts (moveable) on all sides.
- Took out a few of the reverse/ S curves that were in the track plan, i.e. the reverse loop
- Added a cross-over at the top
- Crossover the other direction is via what looks like a passing siding on the left of the left peninsula.
- Changed track alignment and switches so reversing an entire train from the wye can be more of a straight shot, store it there and not interfere with the outer loop.
- Added and lengthened some spurs
- Tightened some track alignments and was able to get in more 0-72 in place of 0-63

The area in yellow will be the upper/city level of the layout. The long distance passenger  trains (M-10000, ATSF Chief, NYC Hudson w/heavyweights) will run on the lower leve.l More local passenger trains served by the upper level of the station on the left wall; CNW and Metra bi-levels, ATSF Doodlebug, as well as shorter PW madisons behind a PW 671 and also behind a 2332 GG-1 will run on the upper level.

The places where the upper level goes over the lower tracks on the bottom and upper right are where a road will cross the lower level.  I wanted to break up the sight lines of continuous track a bit.

Final task will be the elevated line.  It will start very near the two level station and proceed to the city area, going in a "loop", ala the Chicago loop L, and then proceed to a terminal on the far right peninsula. Trains will be able to run point to point, out and back around the loop, or just run around the loop.

Freight will run on both levels with more sidings and yards on the upper level with tighter radius track.  On the lower level I'm thinking of taking some space on the right side of the 40" aisle to add a 2 or 3 track freight siding/yard.  Drawabck is that it will make the reach to that left peninsula longer!

Next task is to work the track plan for the upper level...
I've roughed in two bridges over the reverse loop "cut".   The plan will likely be sort of a folded dog-bone with sidings.

A final question...
I've an assortment of various track I've used over the years from the layout I had as a kid; Lionel 0-31 track and switches, and in my more recent temp layouts; Lionel 0-72 track and switches, 0-27 track in 27, 42 and 54; some gargraves and even a loop of 0-72 scale trax.  Yet not enough of anyone type to do much with.  The frugal retired educator in me says to try to work it in using the available track joining adapters, but the "hey this is your final layout...go for it" says to stick to just Gargraves and Ross and sell all that other track (on the forum of course!) Ideas?

Thanks for all the advice to date....I'll post upper level track plan when done.

Jim
Salida, CO
Crossroads of the Rockies

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the most recent work on my track plan.

 

I've made some changes while working on integrating the lower level, upper level and elevated line.  I've cross-hatched the "reachable area" , about 36-40", on the over-all view.  I'm tall enough and can also use a step stool to reach further.  My temp layout is 48" and I have no troulble with that reach.  The access opening in the city area solves the most difficult reach. 

 

The main/lower level has an 0-72 min radius, while the radii on the upper level will be 0-54 on the left loop of the dog-bone and 0-42 on the right loop.  I'll mostly be using the right loop to run mainly my older PW trains. That long passing siding on the right side loop will allow me to store a train there.  I may try to work in a reverse loop on that side but it is getting pretty tight already. The "L" will terminate there as well.  

 

The elevated line is just a basic concept now. It will be 0-54 and 0-42 track I'll likely not complete the plan until I get track laid on the other levels.  I'll need to work the "L" support girders around the track and buildings on the upper level.  However, I think you can get the main idea of it.  There will be a terminal on either end; main paasenger station on the left and a suburban terminus on the far right peninsula.  In between the two lines loop around the city.  "L" trains will be able to run out and back,  point to point, or continue to run the "loop" in either direction.

 

More sidings and  industry spurs will be added. 

 

Again, comments and suggestions are most welcome

 

Jim

Salida, CO - "The Crossroads of the Rockies"