You didn’t mention,what scale? I’m assuming N-Scale and right off the bat,I see one big problem,without a run around track,how will you switch the three industries,with the sidings facing both ways? The engine has to be on one end of the train,to spot cars on two ind. and then on the other end to spot the last…Do you follow what I am saying??
I noticed the yellow coated. Siding is way to short for a tail track for a small loco and car. That turnout should be by the green siding turnout A 3way turnout perhaps.
Sorry about not mentioning, it would be Ho, i know its tight but could work.
And to point out my original description, off the end of 3 (brown) and 4 (purple) would be a flip up platform where the converge to complete a run-around track
Operating would use 3 box and 2 hoppers. Start with it reversing in from (1), dropping the 2 hoppers at SandG, drop rest at (3), run around through (4), push 2 box into (5) and last one into (6)
i know its small and repetitive, but its all i can think of. Any thoughts on how it would look / work?
I just did a quick sketch using the old Atlas planning program. It just barely fits and that’s assuming all the tail tracks off 3 and 4 are on a separate swing up like you mentioned. In that space I’d consider deleting the curve, it takes a lot of your space and use an Inglenook plan switched from the swing up section. That would let you expand the sidings a little and create industries with several switching spots. One thing to be careful of is our pencils don’t represent the actual size of tracks and allow us to draw curves and switches tighter than they can be built.
You must also consider,what if those,Industries,already have a car or two already spotted there? Like in loads in,empty’s out,or vise versa…You will need room for them…Follow what I mean??
I have built several small 1x6’ switching layouts and the first lesson learn was to avoid any switchbacks.
Let’s toss your plan and the old school thinking concerning switching layouts.I would use the more modern planning.
Here’s a idea.This is HO.A 2’x6 but,will work on a 2x5 footer’.
The track next to the black building(the straight route of the top left hand switch) is your working track-a place to spot cars so you will have room to work.The switch lead is 24"
I would use 40’ cars and a short wheel base engine like a GE44,45 or 70 tonner or a 0-6-0T.I would use 3-4 cars max.
The majority of the industrial leads(a fancy name for a industrial branch line) are stub end and have no runaround.
In old days the engine would be placed between in the middle of the train with a caboose on both ends so the crewman protecting the shove and road crossings will have a place to stand.
In modern times a engine is placed on both end of the train.
I agree with the current track plan cries for a runaround.
Actually 50’ cars would work with a small engine like a GE70 tonner or better the 45 Tonner.
Think it as a one plant operation that has its own “critter” to move cars as needed.
A BLI trackmobile would work equally well.
With these “micro layouts” one must think outside and beyond the ream of normal layout planning in short think smaller equipment,sharper turnouts(like snap switches) and nothing longer then 50’ cars.
However…
The ideal size equipment would be 36’ cars with either a 0-4-0T or 0-6-0T.
IMHO these micro layouts isn’t for everyone and does require lots of well thought out planning.
If the OP wanted to model modern era, he could still find industries that use shorter cars. A road salt distributor and a cement distributor would both use two bay covered hoppers, and a candy factory could use shorty corn syrup tank cars, as well as some 47 foot 3 bay covered hoppers (I’m thinking accurail) for sugar. A paper recycler could receive maybe one 50 foot boxcar.
I may have missed it, but I don’t think we know the length of the cassette he is planning to use, which matters.
