I’ve decided to build a “chainsaw” switching layout in our apartment. It will be on top of a buffet-style cupboard that we have in our kitchen/dining area. The layout must be flat and coverable with a sollid surface when not in use.
Here my givens and druthers and my first attempt at something of a track plan…
Givens:
Size: 240x40 + 150x35
240x40 section will be flat and covered when not in use.
150x35 section will be flat and stowed away in a closet when not in use.
buildings and any scenic items must be removable for storage
a large grain elevator
other industries to suit covered hoppers (both long grain hoppers as well as short cement-style hoppers), e.g. cement plant
Era 1978-82
Freight cars are mostly 50’ boxcars, 54/55’ covered hoppers, some 40’ boxcars and shorter tank cars. Only a few 60’ cars in my possession.
Locomotives all non-MUed except for a SW1500 pair.
Druthers
Minimum number of tracks crossing module boundaries
A “universal” industry behind a chain-link fence on the “aisle side”
several interchangeable industries (buildings must be removable anyway). Generic, “Walthers kits” can be built first, custom scratchbuilt industries later
one interchangeable industry should be a long oil loading platform
use the track I have on hand: a box of Peco code 83 flex, 1 each #5 L and R, 3 each #6 L and R, 1 #7 R curved
This layout is 16’ * 18" whereas I have just 13’ * 16"
I don’t like that just one car can be switched out from each industry at any one time. It seems to much of a puzzle rather than a model of a prototype.
the plan you made was pretty good. I would however change the orientation a bit. Not every track parallel to the edges or wall; a gentle curve in stead of just all tracks just being straight.
It was even possible to have both background and foreground buildings
Stein’s switching layout has some very genius curves. The following plan is my addaption, made because I could not believe how much length he was able to get in.
That looks much better, thanks a lot! I haven’t got the hang of any fancy CAD programs and it’s very hard to make square paper on a slight angle
Despite my length being slightly shorter (390cm is only a touch over 12’9", not 13’…) and my width being slightly reduced (37cm on the right hand modules and 35cm on the yard section) it should fit just fine.
Now I’m trying to see if there’s any way to increase the length of the sidings to the grain elevator: I have lots of covered hoppers and it would be nice to get 8 hoppers there instead of 6… it would be a shame if the 4th hopper just didn’t clear the clearance point on the switch.
But I’ll be pretty happy with 7 industries (counting the team track and locomotive servicing) + interchange. In fact, either end can be used as interchange… so this plan is pretty flexible.
Your adaption of Stein’s brilliant plan is also very interesting, but I don’t have the width for it.
I’ve just bought wood this afternoon, hopefully the modules go together some evenings this week. Then it’s time to get out the track and see if it really does fit!
Paul: is that a Y turnout leading in to the back industry? Can you tell me what number turnouts your CAD program thinks they all are? Curiously enough, most are RH turnouts, it’s funny how there’s such an inbalance in some plans.
No, because there’s a wall mounted shelf above the buffet with wooden brackets that extend into the “backdrop space”.
Even on Paul’s proposed plan, the grain elevator will need to be split into two sections to avoid a wooden bracket there. That’s fine by me, there are many prototype elevators in sections, often with different styles of silos, constructed that way by expansion in phases.
I haven’t been very specific. The drawing was made with #5 turnouts except for one #3,5 Y-switch. IMHO you could make photo copies of the turnouts you possess and use them to try out full scale track configurations.
On my plan the middle section can easily be shortened, resulting in elevator spurs just over 3 feet; each long enough for four 60 ft grain hoppers.
Since hoppers are usually spotted beyond the (un)loading device and one by pulled through it, I would build the (un)loasding device at the very end of your layout. So your hoppers are supposed to be ready for being picked up.
I also found the original plan by SteinJR:
I even found three more plans; the first one is from Tom Teeple and can be admired in Great Model Railroads 2012:(it should be “fiddling yard at the left”)
It was even possible to have both background and foreground buildings
(it should be “fiddling yard at the left”)