Yup, moving the switch and making it an O72 means I'll now have 18" of clearance between the bottom and mid layers. I did a mock up this weekend and found that's enough room for me to poke my head up inside and service the switches (or install new ones as I can afford them). Plus the mountains will be hollow which will also provide some headroom. The backs of the mountains will also have access panels and I'll probably move the two tunnel portals in the lower left a little more forward so they're at the curves. Putting tunnel portals on curves means I'll only need to extend the tunnel lining in a few inches at which point the curve will block visibility and I can have the rest of the tunnel be wide open for access.
The window looking into the yard is 12" and is set to be at eye level when sitting on a small chair. If sight lines are still a problem I'll put in one of those inexpensive surveillance/web camera kits.
Parking complete trains isn't really possible for me just yet. Right now I only have one TMCC engine controlled by a CAB-1L and one PS2 engine controlled by the MTH remote (which is easier for my kids to use than the CAB) At some point I'll upgrade to LCS and the iPad app to control the switches.
I thought about more of an oval shape for the top loop and played around with several designs but wound up with the bent barbell shape for the following reasons:
1) Needed to maintain easy reach access to operating accessories (especially AEC reactor and sawmill)
2) I wanted to have both the double MTH steel arch bridges AND a small wooden trestle (I plan to use the XL sized bents from Grand Central gems). I also doubt I have the patience to build a longer trestle!
3) I wanted part of loop to have the trains running along the edge of a cliff. I saw some great terrain examples of this in the TJ's Trains videos on YouTube
4) I already own the two switches I'd need which keeps it simple plus it will have the train reversing direction with each run which makes a short run that much more interesting.
The top loop will be conventional power. Conventional engines from Williams and others are so much less expensive than TMCC locos and my plan is to run them on that top loop until I can afford to convert them to TMCC using an ERR kit.
The one mistake I need to remember not to make this time is with tunnel portals. I used to have some tunnels with the Lionel plastic portals on my layout but then discovered the hard way that they're too low to run my bobbing head Monsters Inc car which the kids love.
Originally Posted by Moonman:
Hey SSUP,
I think that you have answered my concern. By moving the 072 switch to right, was that to increase the length of the track to the lower level?
Murphy will get you if don't leave enough space between the yard level and main level to reach in there.
Determine what will work height-wise by stacking some panels in a mock-up fashion to find what space is good for your reach.
The lower yard spurs seem to be of sufficient length to park complete trains and kill power. I think you will get more play value from changing trains than trying to do cut and build operations under there.
Keeping the upper layer from blocking the view of the lower layer is always a challenge.
You should play around with making it an oval and use something like Atlas 0108 or a Gargraves large radius to cross the layout with a snake track and support with nice trestle. here's 20"high
