Thats the general idea …if ya got questions ask. need input from all youse guyes
Thanks in advance
j.w
First thing off the bat, is that your yard design on the bottom won’t fit. Second, your coal mine will obstruct main line operation. I would suggest giving it a siding for itself.
Ditto what Derrick says. You are making your layout 1 foot wider than mine (mine is 8x12, with each part 2’ wide just like yours) and all that yard will NEVER fit in the space. Take a look at my web site for an idea of what will fit int he space. My curves are more like 32" radius but droppign down to 30" would not gain all that much space. And let me tell you, in the few sidings I have, space for structures is pretty limited. I found a bunch that will fit, but certainly no big sprawling things like steel mills or cement plants.
My original intent was to finish filling the basement and make this layout part of that. I would then fill most of the sidings with various kinds of coal loading facilities, from semi-large to simple ramps that trucks backed up on and dumped directly into hoppers. The yard would become a coal marshalling yard, and other industries would be spread out along the rest of the layout. But since I will be having to tear down this layout shortly, nothing else is going to get done.
–Randy
Is this HO or N or ???
The yard bypass track is entirely too complex with a crossing at each end. For that matter I don’t understand the yard design at all, as it has three through tracks which aren’t grouped together. Then one set of tracks have two excape? crossovers in the same direction - what is up with that? Is this supposed to be a classification yard, or some sort of interchange yard? Perhaps that is why I am confused.
First of all HO. Second whats the difference between an interchange yard and a classification yard? I do see the same direction crossover and that is a mistake. Just trying to get some double track main action with a yard that Can kinda double as staging along with switching oppertunitys. This is the first time of trying to PLAN a layout.
jw
Hi jw,
As it looks like you’re finding out, its not so easy planning a good layout.
If you will, permit me to see if I can offer some assistance.
This site helped me a ton when I was getting going again (long break before I came back to modeling): http://ldsig.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Primer
On that site you’ll get a lot of the basics.
Also, Spacemouse from our forum has a good primer: http://www.chipengelmann.com/trains/Beginner/BeginnersGuide01.html
Next, you’ll need some design software so you know that what you plan will actually fit. There are two freebi’s that aren’t too bad. Remember, once you download them you have to register them to unlock all the tools. Also, take the time and do the tutorials. Trust me, it’s very frustrating if you don’t.
Here they are;
The Atlas software is a bit easier to use, but it’s more basic. It also only has Atlas brand track in the library. http://www.atlasrr.com/righttrack.htm
The XtrakCad program is better, but tougher to learn. It has lots of different brands of track. The link to the download only works sporadically, but here it is: http://www.sillub.com/
Have fun and keep us posted, OK?
JW
Your size of plan is close to what I plan. Ditto the above suggestions: The second link mentioned there(XtraCad) I’ve downloaded–as has been said on other threads and above comments, a rather steep learing curve and be sure to read the tutorial. I didn’t have enough time to spend on it the first time around–patience needed here. I do think some sort of software program is neccessary in order to find out if the layout you plan will fit in the space desired.
Jim
it needs to be to a scale, too much track, where is your buldings, what is the period, whats your min curve, how long is your longest locomotive, take thease into acount when drawing youre track layout.
ok …thanks for the input ive dowmloaded the atlas one… want to use atlas tracks anyways. As for time period …modern, min curve 22r, preferably 30r, longest loco dash9 sd5o,
gonna try the programme and see what happens
Thanks again for the input fellas.
J.W.
A classification yard is where cars are classified to be put into proper trains going in the right direction. An interchange yard is just a place where cars are set out to be picked up by a different railroad. The cars are interchanged between them.
So mostly for storing stuff that is staged to use at a later time. A classification yard proper doesn’t really have may switching opportunities, just running back and forth (drilling) sorting out which car goes to which train.