Will's Build Thread (Scenery: 4/5/13)

Thank you everyone I am excited to get started! I really like this plan! I appreciate everyone's input it has been truly helpful! PRR Man I agree view blocks are very helpful. I watched a video from an aussie named Laurie who had a video on just that and it was very informative. It does make the RR.

It will be work but it will be fun....be sure to enjoy it.  Best of luck to you.

One last thing.  You will need a way to get from the yard/inner main to the outer main without going all the way around and through the yard again.  I suggest a left hand crossover immediately following the righthand crossover by the mine.  This could make a nice model of an interlocking out in the country. Maybe a two track signal bridge at each end of the interlocking, plus the small electrical cabinets, etc.

Will,

 

No suggestions for your track plan here, but a way to keep things simple but make the layout look more interesting. You can do this by keeping the track work flat and showing rises and drops in scenery around and under it. For example, have a bridge over a stream or ravine (doesn't have to be huge) to give the illusion of grade change. Then build up areas so the tracks are going through a "cut". Your trackwork is flat but clever use of nearby scenery makes it look otherwise and you avoid the "Plywood Central" look. Ed Ruetling who used to post here quite a bit was a master at this. You can also drop some sideings slightly below the level of the main lines. This was done a lot in the real world, as it kept cars from drifting onto the mains Subtle little things to add interest.

 

Simon

Well, I may well be wrong, but I had always assumed the reason for the crossover by the mine was to allow the locos on a train from Columbus with hopper empties [ eg, CCW ] to run around the train and spot them on the mine's interchange track.  Now that the layout is double track, another crossover is necessary, probably over in the rh area beween the mine and grainery leads.  Of course, adding a crossover there and a second new one at the mine area wouldn't hurt.

 

I think a double track, CTC equipped main offers much more operating possibilities than a single track one, especially as modellers usually run far more trains than the prototype.  In this instance, however, I was having difficulty imagining the "real C&W" [ like that phrase ? eg, the "prototype" of this line ] being double track, even with:  the additional coal traffic from mines farther to the east, overhead NS and/or CSX trains, even some PRB or Illinois coal going to the Ohio River, etc.  I sorta assumed for visualization purposes, that this is the ex-B&O [ it doesn't have to be, of course ], and wasn't that single track at the end of its B&O days ?  Even if the C&W has a different heritage, it's difficult [ for me ] to imagine this line being double track in the Modern Era.

     One solution is to say that only the modelled portions of the C&W are double track, of course.  The left hand side of the layout seems to suggest only one visible track, and that's good, I think.

 

With best regards, SZ

 

 

SZ I kind of agree...I think that a single main is more believable for The C&W. I kind of was picturing ex B&O single in my mind as well. Not quite double main material. I feel while the double main is nice it makes the RR too busy. I will mostly be operating alone and I generally am only switching out industries anywho. I think I will make the coal interchange into a siding and alter the yard lead somewhat to make it seem more like a branchline and not a class I double main race track. The one thing I wanted to avoid was the NASCAR effect and I can somewhat see it going on here.

I think it is likely that the [ ahem ] "real C&W", especially if it was a regional spinoff from, say, the B&O, was double track at one time -- same way with the ex-PRR  Panhandle.  So although the rail / ties / [ most of ] the ballast will be long gone, that will still be reflected in the right-of-way grading, bridge abutments or even bridges, etc etc.  It might even help to design the layout as double track, and then single track it in execution:  maybe a signal bridge that only spans one track, some 'jogs' that reflect removed turnouts, etc etc.   This will not only lend credence to the C&W's history -- it will make it easier to double track it in the future due to

  - increased traffic, esp those CSX runthroughs

  - you come back from the hobbyshop one day with an EM-1, and have to back date the layout to 'late steam era'...... [ It could happen... although all those 100 ton hoppers to trade ....]

 

Best regards -- and have fun no matter how you build it !

SZ

 

Sooner or later...you NEED to do it YOUR way!

Well the tonsils are out...I am feeling surprisingly decent thanks to my girlfriend taking great care of me! I have 2 weeks of laying here to work on things so look for some updates I hope!

 

Shes so nice!!!

 

 

Hey Will glad to hear all went well.  Take your time and recoop.....   The GF looks like a keeper.  Looking forward to pics of your progress.

Shes definitely a keeper thanks Chris!

 

I have continued working on the track plan and as I stated earlier I feel a single main will make it more branchline-ish.  While a double main is what is best in the long run it requires a larger layout space to be effective.  I feel the double main really cramped the RR and took out a lot of valuable scenery space. I still kept the all important yard lead on the left as my genset will drill cars from that side, mostly.

 

The layout will be protected under manual dispatcher block control and turnout aspect for operations. Yards and industries will have manual turnouts controlled by train crews while mainline tracks and sidings shall be operated from the dispatchers booth. Train crews are required to get permission to switch industry turnouts and the dispatcher will change the signal aspect once permission is granted. 

 

I have decided that I will build this layout completely 100% modular using plugs for wiring  and bolts to attach neighboring modules, modules will be leveled with screw type leveling feet.  I cannot see wasting money/time to tear down the RR as I move throughout life very beneficial especially since I am still in school.

 

I will build module by module to keep costs down and interest high. I will start with the coal mine modules as I have already started building the loader and go from there. 

 

Ok enough rambling...sorry but it is helpful for me to get my thughts down. I will begin a blog tomorrow and work on it throughout the layout costruction.

 

Well the Percocet is kicking in and my eyes are half open so until tomorrow friends...thanks as always!

 

 

Will,

Glad to read that you are recovering well.

 

I'm not very good at layout design, but to me these designs of yours have a really nice feel to them. You seem to have the knack for it.

Wow Christopher coming from you that really means a lot! Thank you!!

I assume you got a CLEAN bill of health from the tonsils?  Nice gal too!  You are a lucky man!

Very nice final plan, maybe that pole could be made into a stray grain silo?  In any case that is one awesome layout Will.  I look forward to seeing the progress...now go get some rest...

S turn elimination suggestion:

 

The RH turnout in the lower left hand of the sketch, this is a S turn on the main.  Consider backing the switch location into the curve and use a BK industries LH curve switch or fudge an Atlas #5 LH.  The Atlas #5 turnouts are over long due to the track planning geometry.  I routinely cut them back to fit.

 

On the right side of the drawing at the entrance of the timesaver the turnout departing the main also sets up a reverse curve/S configuration.  I would suggest a similar remedy.  Especially because down the road this may very well evolve into a main spur if the lower protruding finger should grow considerably in length as the years go on.

 

To avoid eating humble pie I would also suggest to never call any plan final.  Nothing is final until they close the lid.  If you are a typical model RRer you may very well  find yourself scraping up ballast to reconfigure track later on.

 

Great development ideas on this thread.

Like the re-design, Will. What's the minimum radius you're planning for?

Might I suggest adding a track from the loco shops to the liftout?

It would provide a nice wye for turning engines and single ended cars.

Thank you Matt. So far everything I have planned for is 40" radius (there might be a couple small sections of 36s).  With the MTH diesels I run this should be ok, they ran on O72 just fine with scale wheels.  While I would love to do 60" radius it's just not in the cards right now with the narrow space I am given.

Jim I thought about it and actually had one drawn in but I really dont know if I want to tackle that wiring headache right now.  MTH ps2 units really struggle with changes in track polarity from what I have seen.

Will:

 

If you decide you want reverse loops or wyes, these guys seem to have a good handle on "old school" (relays) polarity reversing. This is compatible with DC and because it's physical, should work well with DCS. I've been looking at their products for my [no-so-secret] 2-rail pursuits.

 

http://www.azatrax.com/

Well guys I have come to the realization that at this point in my life I will never have the time or money to build the large elaborate layout that I had planned.  I decided that I needed to scale down and redesigned the layout to match this.  It is now just a shelf switching layout. This will allow me to work on my modeling skills and at the same time run my trains without feeling the burden of not being able to ever complete the layout. Let me know what you guys think and if you have any opinions feel free to chime in. Your help is always appreciated.  

 

Thanks!

Know that feeling. I have some pretty elaborate RR-track designs, but the one I'm gathering materials for is a pair of switching decks and 90-degrees worth of corners that can be disassembled into manageable sections for transport.

Nothing wrong with that Will, you have to do what will work for you right now.  Take the time and enjoy the hobby....and keep us updated on your progress. 

Thanks guys.  I really hope to get started soon. School is kickin my  right now. Just really need someway to relax...

 Hey life always changes! It maybe good to just get some track down and get something running. Start small with a direction in mind. The layout will expand when you're ready. Sometimes just the building experience is worth it. Your shelf layout can be used as a layout extension in the future. This is a hobby, not a job. Just do it in your spare time.

Will, "Less is more" !!

 

Bob

Construction has begun! I was finally able to recover the lumber from my old layouts and I am about to start constructing my modules! After a lot of reading, deliberation, designing, and discussion (thanks Mike Cougill). I finally came up with a plan that suites me best, based on Columbus, OH prototype.  Now all I need are some Ohio Central Geeps! Thanks for reading and looking! Have a great Thanksgiving!!! 

Great plan!  What's the curve radius?

Looks great Will, make sure you toss up pics of the progress.

Well I have decided to share my progress through my new blog so that non OGR friends can view updates as well.  I just posted the track plan and operating scheme.  Feel free to check it out: http://thecbusindustrialrr.blogspot.com/

 

Thanks!

Very nicely done Will, love the blog.  You have done your homework on the prototype and I am looking forward to seeing your progress. 

I agree---great work and it's fun to follow your progress!

 

--Greg

Thanks guys...I appreciate it

Just visited the blog. Great work. Looking forward to progress postings.

Great plan.   Lots of detail.  Not overwhelming.  Can really get into super detailing.

 

Good job!

 

Larry

I really like the latest design, too. It should keep you busy for a good long time. Enjoy the process.

Thank you everyone! I really appreciate all of the positive feedback! I had the opportunity to visit a couple of my prototype locations today and took a bunch of photos and got a lot of great information.  This has really helped me know what exactly I am modeling.  Feel free to check it out! http://thecbusindustrialrr.blogspot.com/ 

Will excellent research and photos, it always helps when you can go there and walk the area and get a feel for it.  You could check out this site for some historic aerial pics of the area....may give you a better idea of what was where back in the day....

http://www.historicaerials.com/

For anyone who might feel inclined or interested, I have made a layout update video:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEjGBah0Quo

 

Feel free to check it out...thanks!