It's been many months of RR software tweaking, combining suggestions from this Forum, some operation-based sources, the prototype here in Town and what I want in a model railroad I feel I've come up with my kinda final design. This will be around the walls of my 11 x 12 back bedroom. Setting is flat agriculture, is present day during the busy fall harvest season; loads consist of covered hoppers, boxes and tanks. I was very specific what I wanted to achieve and felt confined by the available space, so I had to make some compromises to reach those goals. Trains will be short, pulled by old diesel switchers and RS-3 types.
I'm modelling a prototype junction, from a rail fan perspective, where two branch lines converge leading to an off-stage interchange destination. The ends of these branches are also off-stage destinations along with their served industries. The Junction main stage features a run-around, engine shed and one very busy grain hauler industry to switch. Much of the remaining track will be unsceniced or minimally as it's backstage. Bench/table top/shelf is 3' in width and this will be topped with insulation foam for scenicing details.
On the right I was able to squeeze in 3 destination (staging) tracks representing multiple functions and destinations to play as well as simulate actual prototype ops since each branch has a run-around at the end from which cars are juggled for switching order en route back to the Junction.
The design evolved into a folded-over point to point but the inclusion of the return loops allows constant running.
Minimum curve is 0-31 on the loops, 0-42 in the corners. All the track(so far) is Ross sectional straights, curves and turnouts. Turnouts will be hand thrown; unlike the prototype my track will reflect dilapidated and overgrown back woods/field running. I can't wait to start scenery...I'm a whiz at that. I hate benchwork because it's been a hangup for nearly every previous layout attempt so this will be very simplistic.
