New member, new layout - updated 7/22/24 to add yard and wye

@chessiechick posted:

@Sean007, the holdup is the Monumental Basement Cleanout Project from Hades. Progress on that has been "derailed" by household maintenance projects, summer family activities, and unexpected health issues. Hopefully, benchwork construction will begin in late summer or early fall.

It's always tough finding the time, money and space!

I now have some space and a modest budget, but not enough time right now.

Chessiechick

Great improvements on the 7-24-2024 track plan, especially on the track classification yard to the left.  The time planing the track plan is time well spent.

One change you may want to think about is the two classification tracks, with the crossover switches between the first and second classification tracks on the left.  Think about moving the two crossover switches, to go between the (left) first classification track to the inside loop bypass track.  This would given another escaped route from the classification tracks to the inside loop.

You may have considered putting uncoupling track sections on all classifications tracks and consider two per track, one at the middle and one near the switch too the classification tracks.  Uncoupling track sections should also be each track spur on the layout.

I do not know how you plan to operate all those track turnout switches and uncoupling track section switches,  A live track diagram control panel would be an easy and quick way to locate the track turnout switches you want to operate by following track diagram.  My small layout has 31 track switches and 18 uncoupling/operating track sections and I could not operate the layout without two  track diagram control panels.  The OGR link below discuses how many members have installed live track diagram control panels.

https://ogrforum.com/topic...0#185846711084883980

Charlie

@Choo Choo Charlie, great idea about moving the crossover switches, thanks! I've done that.

Most of the switches will be manual with Caboose throws. The ones that are too far to reach will be Tortoise switch machines, except for the two at the reversing loop, which will be DZ-1000's so they snap faster.

I'm not planning any uncoupling tracks. Going with the high-tech bamboo skewer method.

@chessiechick posted:

...the holdup is the Monumental Basement Cleanout Project from Hades.

I fell into that trap.  My "train room" quickly became storage for everything that didn't have an obvious place to go upstairs.  Ten years later, I'm still struggling (complete with multiple unopened boxes of track, etc.)  Hopefully that monster won't hold you back for quite so long.  One thing that really helped me was hiring a professional home organizer.  She wasn't cheap, but thanks to her efforts my layout plans have a fighting chance.  If your clutter isn't rare or valuable, just donate or toss it and don't look back!

Great job on the layout revisions BTW.  I'm so glad you decided to put the yard on the left above the couch (is the couch even still a thing?)  However... I wouldn't use a curved switch at the end of the yard track to rejoin your mainline.  Curved switches are evil, evil, I tell ya!   Instead I would just use a pair of #100/101 to connect to the mainline near the end of the tangent along the left side.  You'll thank me when your locos don't stall every time they traverse that leg of the wye .  Only 124 shopping days 'til Christmas!  Really hope you're able to get your basement cleaned out and some benchwork built soon!