I am in the process of upgrading my sawhorse 4x8 layout to a more permanent 6x9 layout. I've designed my track plan with the following goals in mind:
*2+ Main Lines
*1 path that supports O-42 minimums
*Incorporates reverse loop for each direction for ~10 car train
*Not a standard figure 8 (I'm very pleased with the interesting continuous running complexity I can get from the inside loop I developed)
*Most switches kept towards the bottom as this is going into a just smaller than 10x10 spare bedroom, and I don't want't to have to play Godzilla for every derailment
*No grades (possibly an O-27 loop may be added as an upper level on trestles)
*Could incorporate gang car bumper to bumper
With that, I designed the following track plan and have it loosely laid out on my freshly constructed table
Unfortunately, I've run into a few "issues" with placing accessories:
I may be digging my own grave, but I don't want my operating accessories to be on a dead end siding, so as you can see above, I started some of my placements, but still have a few glitches:
*My 450 doesn't span two tracks as my tracks are spaced a little bit to far apart
*I don't have room for the culvert loader and unloader as they are a little bit bigger than a single piece of track each and placing them where I currently have the coal loader blocks too much view of what's behind it.
I still have the following to place:
- 345 & 342 Culvert Loader & Unloader
- 2x 151 Semiphore
- 153 Block Signal
- 450 Dual Block Signal
- 2x 154 Crossing Flasher
- 2x 77 Crossing Gates
- 2x 140 Banjo Signal
- 45 Gateman
- 195 Floodlight Tower
I figure there may be some experience I can draw upon from here that may have some neat and clever ideas!
