Submitted for your consideration, a track plan for a proposed layout.
Just want some general feedback on what is very preliminary at the moment. The only given is that Springfield Union Station will be incorporated (though maybe not where it is). I have a PDF version of the track plan on my website which can be zoomed; the PDF is the most up-to-date version.
Thanks
Doc
Appears all trains will orbit counterclockwise.
Where will a freight train wait while passenger trains operate? There are no sidings or yards on line, the only place for a freight to clear up is the passenger terminal.
With no staging, looks like you will have one or two passenger trains orbiting in the same direction (so they look like trains going in opposite directions.) Staging would allow you to bring in some additional trains for variety.
In reality, that is how it works in Springfield. West/south bound freight on upper track, east bound on second track from top.
Amtrak uses the lower two tracks, east bound on bottom track.
Have considered add on the left (have about 6ft of track run depending one where the cross over goes)
With Amtrak using the lower two tracks in Springfield the lowest track (4) is east bound, so yes, a train heading east from Springfield will loop around the center dogbone reappearing at track 3 heading west/south. Continuing on, the train heads south to the lower dogbone, completing a loop westward and heading back north to Springfield.
Freight trains have a bit more options allowing a the same freight to head north or south on the left side or east/west through the center dogbone. (I think)
Doc
Doc in CT - one thing that I would like to comment on is the general outline of your track - it is neatly aligned with the sides of your layout - this may not satisfy your requirements in the long run!
In total, your plan is more for letting trains “run” than prototype operation.
Yes, that is one of the primary objectives, I’m more “scenery” than operations, finding creative release in building things.
The lower and left half of the layout will likely change as I decide that structures and scenery to include. This will allow for some variation relative to the edge of the layout.
I considered a second level but given the space and needed vertical clearance don’t see that happening unless there is a helix.
I had also considered a lower track to allow for allowing trains to vanish for a while, this would could be done with a 2% grade given the rather long run afforded by the perimeter of the space.
Since you have reverse loops, I assume that this is a DCC dogbone HO railroad layout. As “dehusman” mentioned, " You will have one or two passenger trains orbiting in the same direction". Unless this is a prototypical layout, I might suggest that you provide some lengthy “run arounds”, so that two trains can go in opposite directions and pass each other. Otherwise, there is not much purpose for the reverse loops. The tracks on the West and East ends are close enough together to make use of .two “double-slip switch crossovers, on each end. This would also be useful for use by lower priority freights, to get out of the way of higher priority passenger trains. The length of the spurs might be increased. To drop off , (or pick up), freight cars, the freight locos must back into the short stub spurs,(and must not tie up the mainline), which is impossible with the proposed layout. The photo below shows the switch control panel on one of four Power Districts on my 24’x24’ garage loft HO layout, (with interior stairway access) Your 15’x17’ has much greater potential than being constructed as proposed. 12 inch passenger cars are not going to operate, or look proper,on your 18-20 inch radius curves. My smaller radius curves are strictly for freight car staging with a small switcher loco. Note that there is an overpass over the 7 track stub-ended staging yard, for mainline passenger trains, and freight trains. Leading to the yard are two lengthy drill tracks, such that 10-15 consists can be formed without ever tying up the mainline. The central peninsula, of your layout, might be used for a multi-track staging yard, with a passover for the mainline. The second photo shows how one can obtain realistic forced perspective by using an N scale dogbone directly behind a HO layout. For backdrop around the entire room, I use SceniKing 7"x11” sections of continuous photo panorama of low hills (as seen in the photo), farms, harbors,and urban settings. I matched the photos uniform sky blue, electronically, a
Just In Case:
The addition of two “No. 6 right super switch turnouts” beside the two “No. 6 left super switch turnouts” near the upper left side would allow for flexibility to run trains in both directions while it does not mean they must necessarily be used if counter-clockwise running is mostly preferred.
hi doc,
my first thoughts were about the lack of staging. Passenger trains are scheduled and just let them roll is a bit boring over the years. You can use your blobs for staging and keep the loop to loop approach or use the blobs for lengthening the main. Staging is supposed to be under Springfield and Junction. Or do you want to keep your dogbone?
The east-blob (Rural and Fruitvalley) was inspired by the SP layout of Bob Smaus; a well known and beautifuly built pike.(the trackplan is in the database)
Overall I have doubts about your choice of scale/footprint/equipment. You want to run 1 foot long coaches in HO; they need radii somewhere between 30 and 40 inches. On your pike double tracking the blobs seems allready difficult, so you’ll have to do with 22 to max.27 radii or sacrifice aisle width. For a stranger it is easily said, but in real life a tough decission has to be made indeed.
I drew my plan with single track because it could be drawn fast. BTW you have more then 5 feet left between the right wall and the west-blob. Any reason? Are the other sides of your empire walled in or do you have access for instance to the south side of your plan?
The design of Springfield station is not convincing me; are there no passenger trains being switched? (as in Argentine on Chuck Hitchcock previous layout). Are there no freighthouses, teamtracks or other goodies? Spurs serving the diners, or a postoffice or LCL? A good look at Bob Smaus’s main station will tell you what I mean. BTW this is the place to be for double-slip-switches. In general most passenger stations are laid out flexible; almost every track can be reached from every track without switchback movements. Here is some work to be done also.
It’s the way it works in real life; the interchange is between AMTRAK and CSX or local lines.
Updated 11-01-2009
Based on the comments above I went back an re-worked the design a bit.
Notes:
there is an 18 inch wide access aisle at the top and a 24 inch wide aisle at the right
east is left to right (west right to left)
Additional comments on my web page
Constructive comments always welcome.
Thanks
Alan