Switching layout

Post a pic of the track plan...not all use anyrail. Thanks.

There is a web site http://lancemindheim.com/ that offers a great deal of information on how to design a switching layout.  He has several books on Amazon with plans, ideas etc.  They may be worth a look.  Google is your friend here, there are many examples out there (although not in O scale) that can be altered for your purposes given the space you have.    The transfer table for car arrival, departure is interesting.  From what I can see it looks like you are leaning towards complex, crowded track work.  That is fine if there is a logical reason for it.  You have more than one switch back which may or may not get frustrating over time.  The switchback that routes through the crossing reaches the same location as the turnout off of the curve in the upper left.  Unless there is a logical reason to have built it this way it doesn't appear to provide anything other than additional track or complexity.  The run around track appears a bit short. Don't worry about the 042 curves. Unless you opt for longer freight cars with body mounted couplers this will not be an issue.  

Nice initial track plan.  I am thinking the same thing, I plan to use a Weaver NS GP38-2 that I am going to make a high hood unit out of.  Haven't decided what my industries will be, probably grain or ethanol as those are the big industries along with a couple mini steal mills.  I got to see these operations first hand when I worked as a conductor for NS back in 1998.  Mike

Nice design, what types if structures are you planning on putting on it?  Being an ex-SP switchman, I'm always interested in switching layouts.

Are you planning on running scale equipment or whatever?  Looking forward to watching it progress.

You might find a few of the track plan books by Ian Rice as I believe he uses transfer tables (I believe he is a UK modeler who models US prototype mostly.)

On my switching layout, I went with a lot of low relief or building flats with only a few specific "3-D" structures that are located on the peninsula or aisle side (not against the wall) of the track.  Looking at your plan, there are places where it appears you plan to use both those approaches.  That should work fine for you.

Thank you for all the comments. I have been thinking about ways to make my track plan a little less busy. The more I looked at it the more crowded it seemed. When I get to my computer I will post what I have. I have not completely decided what structures I will have but I will definitely have some flats along the walls to make the layout feel bigger. I've got quite a few hoppers so I will have to find a home on the layout for them. I will be running all scale equipment by the way.

There is nothing "wrong" with your track plan...but usually, when someone starts designing a "switching layout", they tend to have a purpose for each track...what industry, what type of rail cars, how and where trains and cuts of cars are going...inbound loads and empties as well as outbound loads and empties...and possibly to interchange with another railroad.

So, do you have a concept for your switching railroad?  Do you know where the cars come from and where on the layout they are going.  Once the cars have been unloaded or loaded (as the case may be) do you know where the cars are headed?

For my own layout, I took "modeler's license" and changed some of the track, some of the industries and such and created a switching district that was part of the Santa Fe in Oklahoma City...the switching district actually exists (to this day) but nothing like my layout...but I am OK with the discrepancies...I just have to figure out an explanation for changes.

I am not suggesting that your layout has to be an exact copy of real life.  Goodness knows my talent as a modeler would never support such a project.  And I simply do not have the space to pull that off either.

So...if you have a reason for each track and a vision of what type industry will go there as well as plans for how inbound and outbound freight gets ON your layout and OFF your layout...then you are in good shape.  Just keep on keeping on.

My layout is 16x20 with shelf around all 4 walls and a peninsula in the middle of the room.  That leaves a U-shaped aisle around the inside of the room wrapped around the shelf on the outer walls and the peninsula.  There are three "zones" plus the inbound delivery track (hidden staging) and the interchange with another railroad (also hidden staging).  There are approximately 24 industries on my layout and they ship and receive at different frequency.  But the primary industries are a "grain elevator/flour mill" along with "the stockyards" and the two adjacent "packing plants).  Slightly smaller industries include the grocery wholesale and the feed mill adjacent to the packing plants.  This would be typical of Oklahoma City in the early 1960's.  While I never lived in Oklahoma City, I do like the Santa Fe and I wanted something "regional" that would justify some steady switching with car set outs and pick ups. 

"Stealing" part of the real Santa Fe and rewriting the history allows me to ignore those things which are "wrong" about my layout when scrutinized by someone familiar with the actual area and rail operations.

So, don't get wrapped around the axle on such stuff UNLESS it is the fidelity to prototype that blows your skirt up.

If you have a concept of how and why your layout is designed the way it is...and you pretty much know what industries will fit in the track plan...then full speed ahead.

But if things bother you, grab some paper and pencil and start making alternative plans to see if any of that captures your fancy.

After all, you will probably tear it up and start over at least 8 or 10 times like most of the rest of us...(smile)