I’d like some comments on my track plan but… where is the download button for images?
Thank you
Hi Bob,
I think that you need to have an account with Photobucket. There has been many posts on how to post pics to the forums. Find the thread and go from there. It did take me a while to really figure it out, mostly my wife did! Once you get it, it’s easy. Basically, you open a photobucket account (their free), put your pics there then download to the forums.
Thank you! I just read the image posting information…(should have done that sooner!)[:S]
Ugh… ok the image is uploaded and is small. I’ll need to save it as a larger image.
Thank you. I should have read the posting rules first!
Here’s a picture but it seems to be extra small…I’ll work on making a larger file.
Here is the non-thumbnail version of the picture (ie where the IMG url comes from the boxes under the picture on photobucket, rather than from right clicking on the thumbnail):
Smile,
Stein
hi,
i made a drawing with a couple of questions. Generally speaking it is hard to judge a plan without knowing more about what you want to achieve and without knowing how your layout is placed in the room.
smile
paul
Which radii and what grade do you want?
What’s the purpose of the layout, with H0n3 I think about lumber, Norhteast.
Or DRGW with mines, sheep.
Wolfgang
I don’t see any interchange with the outside world. Where are the products shipped on this line coming from and going to? An interchange with standard gauge would be easy to add at either “terminal”, and is then a shipping point for most of your freight. This doesn’t have to be complex - for many small narrow guages in the time of cheap labor even products such as coal were transferred by hand.
Bill
A couple of questions:
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How deep is the shelf you’re thinking of? From the sketches what are the grid squares? 1 foot, 6 inches? 2’ deep is about the limit you’ll want to go to be able to comfortably reach from the edge. You won’t want any far reaches for coupling/uncoupling or turnout control further than 24". To me it looks like it’s too wide for what I would call a shelf layout…
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What is the purpose of the railroad? Branch line? Logging? Mining? Does it need to connect to the ‘outside world’?
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I see you have turntables at each end. I’m assuming this is to turn a steam loco? What sort of locos are you going to be running? A K-27 needs at least a 65’ turn table. Most narrow gauge railroads didn’t have much bigger then 65’ TT’s
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What happens to the train when it reaches the end? If you pull the train onto the track that leads to the TT how will the engine return to the other end of the train? You’ll need some sort of run-around or passing trackage.
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is a point-to-point what you want? Or do you want to see trains run continuously?
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How big is the room you want to put the layout in?
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What time period are you wanting to model?
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Do you have a list of the types of cars or locos you would like to run?
Getting your plan right is the most important step because everything you do will be based on it.
It really sucks to find out once you’ve built your bench work, laid track and made the scenery to realize the track plan isn’t going to work for you. It can be a long, iterative process to get it just the way you want but don’t give up, because in the long run you’ll be happy you took the time now.
-G-
Thank you all for A: resizing the layout and B: for your comments.[:)]
This plan is sized to fit into a 12x6x10 space. The 12x6 sections are along the wall while the 9ish foot section is a free standing penisula with access to both sides.
The time period is in late 30’s early 40’s. The loco’s and rolling stock are mostly D&RGW. C-19 and K-27.
The 12 foot section along the wall is the highest elevation. This section has two egress tracks. One is the older round around the mountain and the newer is through the mountain. This proceeds to the interchange where the second turn table resides. Cars are shuffled and the engine turned to proceed down grade to the industry at the far end of the line. Here there is, or will be, a run around for the engine. These proceed back to the TT.
There easily can be a standard gauge track on the shorter penisula. A transfer dock would take care of the movement to the standard gauage world.
I built a nice railroad many years ago with hand laid rail etc. Keller Onboard controls too. I had children and had to give up the space for other things. I sold my brass engines and structures too, sigh.
I really don’t think i have the space for a round n round I layout. I prefer loads in empties out sorta thing if I have to chose. It IS possible? to add a lift out section to connect the lowest section to the penisula but in doing so I’d lose real estate for switching and structures.
The kids are now grown and I miss my trains. I grew up at the end of the steam era right across the street from Alexandria Station in Va. This was the last stop before proceeding into Union station in Wash DC. As a lad I’d stand and watch the Trains moving too and fro in awe, never forgot that experience
Comments are always welcome [:)]
Would it be better to use stub #6 switches for the yards or regular sized #4’s? I’m not sure the Blackstone K27 will deal with #4 switches. It will run on an 18" radius curve so perhaps so.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
I have several BS K-27’s. They handle 16" radii with no problem (the radii of the legs on my wye).
I have #4 Fast Track code 55 turnouts and they negotiate these fine as well.
You should have no problems with #4 turnouts.
-G-
That sounds great! I’m thinking of getting a fast tracks jig and make some #4 and #6 turnouts. I actually enjoy hand laying rail… crazy I know! lol
You’ll like the fast tracks turnouts. They are a bit more cost but worth it. I have the #6 and #4 jigs and a #4 wye jig. When I got mine I purchased enough to make more than enough turnouts. Good thing I did because I only have enough left over to do one or two more.