In an attempt to get rid of all the too sharp 24" radius curves, in the main layout room. I’m reworking the mainline. Since I’ve cut out the entire middle section of this area, for easier access, and broader curves.
The right side area, had way too curves, because having the crossover on the right side there. Now that I’ve relocated the crossover, to the drop down access bridge. I replaced it with a LH curved switch.
This outside main curve along the right side is a nice broad curve now. Its around 38" radius.
Before (this is an old photo, you can see the tight trackwork here)
Nice fearless approach to improving your railroad! I have seen too many people lose interest because they get “stuck” on a concept. Not only will your mainline be more interesting to run, you have also given yourself the gift of improved scenery potential.
Those big modern diesels and long freight cars (not to mention your steam and passenger trains) will look much better on those curves,and the open access will make life easier…but I know it’s hard to start tearin’ things up!
Mike
Edit: Michael,since the crossover on the access bridge is in the same direction(outside to inside when going counter-clockwise) as the left hand curved switch,would a right hand curved switch running back the other way give you more operational options? You’d be able to crossover from either track in either direction… I’m assuming the curved switch will be part of a crossover,too? If not,and you’re just going from 2 to 3 tracks at the curved switch,ignore all this…
A nice improvement, and I think you will see many advantages from an operating standpoint as well as visually. I tried to be disciplined with sticking to my 38" minimum radius on my layout (the temptation is to go lower to make room for sidings and other features) and was able to be so, including the use of easement curves into that 38" minimum. The temptations were always there however – “gee if I made this curve tighter I’d have more room for a siding” and that sort of thing.
I did however find that in some places some of the features I wanted were getting too crowded out by the big curves, so in select places I was able to make use of the Peco “large radius” curved turnouts. I think the large curve on the Peco is 60" radius which in some applications fit nicely with my easement curves. While I prefer “normal” turnouts the Peco curved turnouts, the large radius ones, did open up some planning options that otherwise would not be there.
That’s a great improvement in appearance. 38" radius is good for operations, too.
I thought my own layout was substantially finished a few years back. But I’ve found operating it gives you ideas about what can be improved. If you didn’t squeeze everything in super tight to begin with, it’s pretty satisfying to find out that reconfiguring track arrangements is usually possible.
One thing I’ve found that helps for me to alter track locations and works if you use matte medium for binding ballast down is 91% alcohol in a mister and a flat paint scraper. Remove the spikes as best possible. Hose down the ballast with the 91%, let it soak for a minute or so, then slip the blade of the scraper under the track and gently lift. I’ve been able to slid track as much as an inch sideways like this. Done carefully, most of the ballast even stays in place and just needs touch-up. You may have to cut some grooves for you power feeders to lay in once shifted sideways if you don’t take it up all the way and redrill the holes for the feeders. If you take up the piece of track, use a vacuum when the ballast is still wet and most of it will come right off, making track reuse a lot easier, too.
Thanks everybody for all the suggestions and comment, much appreciated.
Sorry I forgot the track plan for this area. I wanted all scenery along that back wall, and have an Ethanol Plant there lower left. And the farm will be on the lower right side.
I’m also replacing the backdrop soon. With mountains and flat farmfields in the valley foreground.
I also replaced the section of foam were the creek was. Oh boy was this a difficult task. The Magic Water I used had fused to the wood base. It took me an hour with the hammer claw. I didn’t that that stuff was so hard.
The new river will be carved out, to the left of this about 14". The two crossing tracks will be here.
Michael,
Untill now I didn’t realize how intense this project is.
You are doing a really great job, it will be really nice, & rewarding when you run those units through there again!
Now I’m working on the inside two mainline tracks. Working it out to see if it everything fits ok.
The middle straight track will have an ME 160’ Girder bridge spanning the river. And the inside curved track nearest the edge, will have a wood curved deck bridge.
And today the delivery man brought me this. The Vollmer truss bridge, to replace the Atlas truss bridge.
Michael, I’ve been following this rework and I think it is coming along very nicely. Having that big operating pit is a great idea for accessibility and you’ll get better scene separations too. Change presents opportunity…and with your skills at making scenery, I think its going to look great.
