Help digitizing a track plan. Also for review and recommendations.

Here's as far as I've gotten in SCARM, but I'm done for tonight. I added some double crossovers to show the difference in lengths at 5" center-to-center spacing. I also added some yards using 11°, #4 and #6 switches to show the difference in total sizes. The yellow rectangles are 5" wide and the blue are 3". As you can see, the right side may not match the entryway as it's designed.

Thank you so much for your assistance on this.   It’s a huge help to get things moving forward.  

BTW, GarGraves doesn’t have O-90 curves, so I used O-89.

FWIW, I think 3” might be too close in the yard for you to get your fingers between cars to lift them out, etc. Ross makes transition curves that are 3.5”, 4.0” and 4.5” and I believe most use 3.5” or more separation in yards. They also separate the yard from the mainline by 4.5” or more. Oh, and the separation with the top track in each yard example is around 4”, the closest back to back switches can get. So if you want the yard to look symmetrical, you’d need to cut really short fillers for between some of the switches. The #4 offers the greatest length to yard tracks because it’s slightly steeper than the 11° switch. It’s separation is around 3.75” though, so no fillers would be needed. The top track would still be about 4.0”, but not that noticeable compared to the others.

I plan to add the other crossovers using #4s, unless you say otherwise or tell me you have the info you need. I’d also adjust the bridge over the entryway to match the frame.

@DoubleDAZ posted:

BTW, GarGraves doesn’t have O-90 curves, so I used O-89.  

This is fine I had planned to use mostly all flex anyway.   The drawing just used 80-90 as guide.  

FWIW, I think 3” might be too close in the yard for you to get your fingers between cars to lift them out, etc. Ross makes transition curves that are 3.5”, 4.0” and 4.5” and I believe most use 3.5” or more separation in yards. They also separate the yard from the mainline by 4.5” or more. Oh, and the separation with the top track in each yard example is around 4”, the closest back to back switches can get. So if you want the yard to look symmetrical, you’d need to cut really short fillers for between some of the switches. The #4 offers the greatest length to yard tracks because it’s slightly steeper than the 11° switch. It’s separation is around 3.75” though, so no fillers would be needed. The top track would still be about 4.0”, but not that noticeable compared to the others.

I agree on the yard and I had not considered reaching in to pickup cars. I don’t have an issue cutting the customer fitters if needed but I like the direction your going with it.  

I plan to add the other crossovers using #4s, unless you say otherwise or tell me you have the info you need. I’d also adjust the bridge over the entryway to match the frame.

Absolutely tweak as needed your feedback and guidance is appreciated more than you known Sir.   Thank you.  

Ok, here's the finished (?) design. The 1st photo shows it with 6" grid so you can compare it to the drawing. The 2nd photo has decking and a standard 12" grid. The 3rd photo is a Parts List. All tracks are a combination of sectional and flex. The curved tracks with dots in them and all cut straights are flex. All switches are Ross #4, except for 2 Ross O-72s going down to the Scrap yard/Fuel Distributor. #4s don't fit there because of the opening for the door. I don't know how big the Coal Tipple is, so I just separated those tracks by 4.5" using a filler between the switches. The 27 full length 37" tracks can be flex. The PL says the are 46 flex tracks, but I think it's also saying they are covered by 26 full tracks.

Sir, thank you so much! This is more than helpful.  I really appreciate you taking the time to help with this.   This will get me across the finish line or should I say starting line.  Again thanks so much.

You’re welcome. If you have questions or need other help, don’t hesitate to ask. Good luck!

That's fun to run.  With a few cars and some industries could keep one busy for more than a single evening!  Russ

Jeremy, I hope you realize that you only have 1 reversing loop, so once you turn a train, you can’t turn it back again. You can only use the loop with trains running counter-clockwise.

@DoubleDAZ posted:

Jeremy, I hope you realize that you only have 1 reversing loop, so once you turn a train, you can’t turn it back again. You can only use the loop with trains running counter-clockwise.

I do sir.   Unfortunately it was a compromise.   The single direction reverse loop actually started out as just a branch over to coal facility area.   Then the reverse loop capability got added at some point.   We also had a turn table in the plan in the beginning but it took up more space than I could spare.  

I get it, just wanted to make sure you knew. The good thing is you can park an engine on the right end of the lower orange yard track, pull an engine in going clockwise past the switch, drop the cars and let the other engine then pick them up to go counter-clockwise again. As Russ said, I also think it’s really a nice plan.

All is not lost.  Lot's of railroads just turn the engines and not the whole train.  Russ 

Russ' stand alone TT is an idea I used in a few locations.  It gets the job done.  You may be able to fit in a 24" TT

FWIW,  3.75" spacing is as tight as I go in yard spacing.  I tried 3.5" but it was just too close IMO.

When ever possible I would try to always use single cross overs.  Double cross overs do not even look right the way many folks use them.  In real life, they are only designed to be used when space will not allow two single cross overs.

I really like the plan and Dave, You da man! really great for doing the digitizing.   Thank you!

Why, thank you, Tom, I appreciate the comment. As for the crossovers, I just digitized what was there. The top left one could be moved a little further to the left, but not too close to the curve. The right one is hampered by the removable section for door access. The bottom ones could be separated a lot further, but I’m not even sure they’re needed. Trains going to/from the yard would most likely use the top ones, so the bottom ones are just a needless expense, IMHO

I know I'm a little late to this show, but here's an idea that allows for a reversing loop for each direction.  Move all 3 switches on the yellow line where the "branch" is located to the right as far as possible.  Now, insert a right hand switch into the yellow track off of the upper curve so that the curve of that switch also heads for the branch and meets the branch at a wye switch.

Next, the peninsula and entrance to the center of the layout need some work.  On the peninsula, put the branch line at the bottom and all the industry tracks to the top.  Put a wye switch near the end of the branch line so that it can connect to the yellow main line (to the right side) in both directions. (This is the part that requires some adjustment to the entrance to the center of the layout.)  With both wyes created, you actually have three loops to run and a way to reverse trains running either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Just an idea.

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

I know I'm a little late to this show, but here's an idea that allows for a reversing loop for each direction.  Move all 3 switches on the yellow line where the "branch" is located to the right as far as possible.  Now, insert a right hand switch into the yellow track off of the upper curve so that the curve of that switch also heads for the branch and meets the branch at a wye switch.

Next, the peninsula and entrance to the center of the layout need some work.  On the peninsula, put the branch line at the bottom and all the industry tracks to the top.  Put a wye switch near the end of the branch line so that it can connect to the yellow main line (to the right side) in both directions. (This is the part that requires some adjustment to the entrance to the center of the layout.)  With both wyes created, you actually have three loops to run and a way to reverse trains running either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Just an idea.

Chuck

Never to late to the party.   I like the idea. I'm having a hard time visualizing it but I get the idea.  I originally had the island connecting in the upper left corner as a full third loop instead of a directional reverse.  for some reason we ditched it but its been so long I'm not sure why.  I always liked the idea of being able to loop through the island and being able to double reverse wouldn't hurt a thing.  I'd just have to see it laid out.  I'm not good at visualizing these types of things but i like it.  All feedback is appreciated