Oops, it appears that my image file didn’t get posted. Here it is:
Steve
You have inserted the link to your picture in the wrong field - use the film strip symbol.
OK, here is my yard image…hope it is clear enough.
Steve
The resolution on that image makes it really hard to see. I’m viewing on a fairly high-resolution monitor and much of the track is an indistinguishable tangle of lines. I’ll hold off on discussing too much of an opinion for now, although it does look like a couple of the shorter stub-end tracks are really short.
Can you save it as PNG instead of JPG? The compression is really making it hard to read.
Hello, and apologies for the poor image. It was directly from Atlas’ Right Track freeware, and the track was actually a dark green color, oops. So I made all lines black, increased the line width, and saved it as bitmap, then as .png using Paint.net. It is pasted here. I need to switch to better layout software…
Hopefully it is now at least discernible. Still not ideal.
Again, sorry for all of that.
Steve
OK, here is another try…I noticed that the Atlas software was actually showing the roadbed, the width of the ballast edges, which complicates the image. So I had it show the ties instead of the roadbed edges. See if this one is better. At least now it shows the tracks only.
Steve
Mmm - 28" per square - that would make the yard about 25 feet long total, and between 30 and 60 inches deep. 28" is a weird size for a grid - the normal us 12" or 24", making it easier to see how long things are. Are you sure the grid squares are 28" x 28" ?
The orange lines on the left, top and right are walls, right? If so, you seem to have about 60" (or more) of depth at the worst on the right end of the yard - about twice what you can reach. Unless you are planning to squeeze in a narow aisle in between the engine house and the right side
I assume that the crossover(s) you are talking about is the somewhat hard to see smudge in the sixth grid square from the left side, where you want to be able to get from the third track from the top, cut across the A/D track in some way, get onto the main and then go up into the upper right or upper left corner?
Smile,
Stein
Overall that doesn’t look too bad. A few of the tracks above the turntable area seem a bit squiggly but maybe that’s a function of how the software’s trying to connect the turnouts. Those two stub ended yard body tracks at center could easily be converted to double ended, which would make the yard more flexible for pick-ups or set outs from the left end.
Hi Steve,
this is better, though the labels are written way to small for me to read.
I tried to draw your yard, did not succeed completely however. I was unable to get the caboose-track in.
Some remarks are made in the drawing, keep in mind I had to guess the function of some of the tracks. Do you mean engine terminal where you are using just the word the terminal?
Drawn with R min= 30" and #7 turnouts throughout.
Wish you the best
Paul
Is the OP referring to Armstrong squares 2x radius + 2x track spacing? (R24, 2" T2T =, 28")
Paul, does the A/D track work for both directions of the main line? (is that what cross over A plus using the yard lead for that purpose)?
Alan
(Beware of) Squiggly = S-curves = Derailment Territory. Look closer at the straighter yard-leads on the drawing from Paulus Jas, and the suggestion to use turnout numbers, if possible, above #4s – Ex.: See Atlas #6 turnouts.
Hello, yes you nailed exactly my calculation for the grid while I was drawing it. Originally, I was thinking minimum R24, but now I am aiming for minimum R30’s. I am now thinking that 2" spacing may be too narrow for R24, but may be ok if I go with R30 as the minimum.
I should have redrawn it with 24" grid for the post here, less confusion.
Steve
Hello and thanks Paul for your reply.
Apologies for the poor drawing…the Atlas software doesn’t have the option for a single line for the tracks, would have been much clearer. Which software did you use here?
I do like your much-improved redraw., and you nailed my original layout from the smudges. Crossover D is better, and the engine terminal is better too. I wonder where to work in caboose tracks, or are those really a necessity…
Do I need to add track to get a switcher up to the industries along the wall, or not? Just a thought.
Thanks again for your effort,
Steve
Yes, the original plan was to have an aisle on the right side of the engine terminal area as well, for access.
Thanks to all for your comments,
Steve
Hello
I just noticed the mainline crossover in your drawing on the right side, above the engine pocket label. Call it crossover E. I suppose that that is sufficient along with crossover B to get a switcher up to the industries along the wall, and in the best manner for this layout.
Thanks again,
Steve
Hi Steve,
my plan was drawn with Atlas software as well. Go to VIEW / PROPERTIES / DESKTOP; then you have the choice between LINE / OUTLINE/ FILLED OUTLINE.
Due to the fact i made a quick drawing, i could not get the caboose track in. Basically it is one more bowl-track, you did find enough length for the track, so I would keep it.
I would probably use crossover B most of the times for getting to the industries along the wall; since it is the shortcut from the drill. A run-around move could be made away from from the main in the yard. So no additional tracks are needed.
BTW depending on the traffic on your layout all bowl tracks can double as arrival and departure tracks. Keeping those tracks empty in time, by placing them in an outgoing train is the trick. It changes your yard from a storage yard into a classification yard.
Wish you the best
Paul