Steel Mill Layout Diagram

No switching lead! You cannot switch in the yard without fouling the main track. That is a big mistake and cuts down on the operational potential of the layout.  Download the attached PDF file to see what I'm talking about. If you don't have the Adobe Reader which will open PDF files, you can get it here. It's free.

 

RR Track is a great layout design program if you plan to use sectional track. It costs between $70 and $100 depending on the track libraries and other features you need.

 

Also...cross-posting is something I prefer that you NOT do. It causes duplication of threads and gets things disorganized. Choose the appropriate forum and post your thread there.

 

Mr. Melvin.

 

I see your point. My thinking for the yard is simple staging. Trains will be sitting in the yard awaiting call, then will pull out, run the main according to orders and return to the yard. The same train will be called again and many times over for as long as the "guys" want to run trains. No "switching" in the yard during an ops session.

 

 

Point made on Cross Posting.

 

 

Thank You.

 

Rick.

With all the room you have at the top of the layout diagram, I think you are making a big mistake by not adding a switching lead. If nothing else, a yard operator can "fiddle around" switching cars in the yard while other people are running trains on the main. Some guys even call it a "Fiddle Yard." 

 

 

One more thing - "Mr. Melvin" was my father.  My name is Rich.

...Such as this?

 

Rick.

Close...but no cigar. You still need a crossover at the yard throat as shown in red on your diagram.

 

 

I would also extend the lead further to the right to more closely match the length of your yard tracks. You've got the room to move it another foot or so up at the top.

 

This layout looks like it will be enjoyable to operate.

Thank You, Rich.

 

We learn by asking as well as mistakes. The main line at the top of the diagram will start to climb at some point. The further I take the yard lead the greater my percent of rise becomes.

 

Trains will be short but I like die cast cars!

 

The cross over provide's an escape route as well as the ability to park a train on the lead, correct?

 

Rick.

Both are correct. Your normal route for trains moving in and out of the yard would be via the red crossover. Your switcher could be in the clear on the lead, and could even have a few cars on the lead with him as well. The more you look at this, the more operational possibilities you will discover.

 

If the track at the top starts upgrade, there's nothing wrong with the switching lead starting upgrade right along with it. Or, if you prefer, make the switching lead a stub track and keep it at the yard level. With the red crossover in place, the yard lead doesn't absolutely have to connect to the main.

 

Is this an around-the-room layout? If so, you might look at adding another industry or two along the long straight at the right of the diagram. Think in terms of "producing" and "consuming" industry pairs. For example, if you have a sawmill, you should also have a furniture factory, where the lumber from the sawmill gets delivered. Empties from the furniture factory go back to the mill. Since the lumber could be loaded in box cars, you can't tell an empty from a load just by looking at it.

 

If you decide to put in a coal mine, then you should also build a power plant, to consume the coal that the mind produces. Of course, then you can see the difference between a load an an empty, but there's a trick for that, too. It's too involved to get into an  explanation here, but the "Empty-Load Trick" has been around a long time, and you have room to do it on that long straight.

 

You have the beginnings of a great layout here.

Rich,

 

Yes, around the wall, entry via nod under pit. 54" at highest point (entry is 60" with 6" pit). Lowest is 42" at the yard and Blast Furnace.

 

The main along the wall will be a long climb from the yard....would switching on a grade be an issue if the industry track was level.

 

I like coal, would consider a coal mine/power plant, "empties in/loads out system such as was used on the 'Delta Lines". But it would all be on a grade along the right wall.

 

Rick.

A great plan! You have room for a rolling mill with tracks going into building for the hot metal cars (another form of switching and staging) Also think of a building for coke ovens  they need lots of coal-piles of coke, piles of coal. If I may ask, what blast furnace and open hearth buildings are you going to use? Happy New Year!!

Just wondering, what are the grades on your plan?

 

With a layout room of that size you have lots of potential to reconfigure the plan to ELIMINATE the duck-under at the room entry while still having lots of track mileage and wide curves and other good features. I think you will ultimately find the duck-under to be inconvenient.

Little Giant:

 

I plan to scratch build my mill structures. Scratch building is the most enjoyable aspect of model railroading for me.

 

Ace:

 

Around 3.3%. I could reduce that by rerouting and getting rid of the duck under. But, I am constructing the "train room" to fit space and layout plan. The entryway will be via a pit from an adjacent lounge. The duck under becomes a nod under.

 

As for adding all of the other industry mentioned....um....I simply do not want too! I want it as simple as can be yet efective.

 

Thank you for the input and keep it coming, even if it seems harsh, I can take it. All info is good info.

 

Rick.

Little Giant:

 

I plan to scratch build my mill structures. Scratch building is the most enjoyable aspect of model railroading for me.

 

Ace:

 

Around 3.3%. I could reduce that by rerouting and getting rid of the duck under. But, I am constructing the "train room" to fit space and layout plan. The entryway will be via a pit from an adjacent lounge. The duck under becomes a nod under.

 

As for adding all of the other industry mentioned....um....I simply do not want too! I want it as simple as can be yet efective.

 

Thank you for the input and keep it coming, even if it seems harsh, I can take it. All info is good info.

 

Rick.

More info:

 

One of my "Train Buddies" has a very large basement O Gauge layout with four loops etc. His trains run from 20" above the floor to about 60" with several nod unders. He is a UPRR fan, big steam looks really cool at eye level! The nod unders are not a problem there. Moving around his layout takes one under several. My plan only has a nod under (at 60") at the entry point. Running trains will be unobstructed. The long run along the right side of the diagram is purposely left clear and narrow to provide more aisle space.

 

I was going to add: the above mentioned layout has 3.8% grades and he runs long trains...no problems with TMCC/Odyssey.

 

Give me more gentalmen: input that is.

 

Rick.

Rick, I would put a "run around" the whole way around the steel complex (s) so you can run a main line train AND work the mills at the same time

My 2 cents

Ryan

Ryan

 

I see your point, but adding this and adding that while all good idea's, gets away from my "simple" approach. I am aiming for less is more here. But please, keep the idea's rolling in. I am game for any and all.

 

Thank's

 

Rick.

Rick, I just always thought it was "neat" to "work" the yard or industries while a main line train was rolling around, it added to the ambiance so to speak. 

Or to the stress and pressure as you begin/terminate runs in the yard or staying out of the way of the superior trains by right on the main while way switching.

 

You might want a lap siding or two now that I have had time to think on it.

 

It is a nice plan.

Ok' just figured out how to switch to standard format so as to post from my phone. Thanks for all the kind words guys. I am looking forward to putting some of my equipment in the run. As for adding more, I stress the challenge of running the mill trains with run through trains making their way around the layout. I really think my less is more idea will work best (for me). Yet I ask for input from the field as one never knows when a new idea may strike a chord!

Ok, Guys.

Would there be any reason to NOT use Gargraves 100" turnouts with TMCC?

Rick.

Guys,

I am leaning towards Ross 11 degree at this point. I can buy the Gargraves products locally but not Ross. Compare Ross 11 degree turnouts to Gargraves 100" turnouts please. I am down to these at this point.  

Once again, Thanks.

Rick.

Hi Rick. Scratchbuilt mill buildings. Sounds great! You'll be able to tweak the sizes to fit. Good Idea.Web isfullof great pics.Pleasepost pics as you build.

Little Giant.

I couldn't find an email in yer profile. Look up mine and drop me a line. Would love to talk about The P&LE! 

Rick.

Hi Rick, updated my profile-feel free to send e-mail.

Rick, Check out Scarm free track planning software.  I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and it is great and accurate.

 

http://www.scarm.info/index_en.html

Greg.

 

I just took a quick look and I am intrigued. Thanks, this could be fun.

 

Rick.