Hi Everyone:
I am using this thread to see if I understand how to post my layout plan to a thread. Feel free to comment on the plan. I know I still have a few details to work out such as the ‘S’ curve in the main line at the top of the plan. I also recognize that the ‘reach in’ distances are extreme but I am 6’ 2" and I plan on using one of the Micro Mark stands that allow for extended reach into the layout. There will also be removable backdrop panels to allow access to the left side of the layout and the bottom of the engine service facility. The fixed outside walls of the room are on the top and the right side only. There is space on the bottom and left sides but there will have to be some sort of wall system to keep the layout clean - it is in my garage, hence the removable backdrop sections. There is no prototype. I want to be able to build trains in the yard, do some switching to local industries and run a train around the dogbone (just to see if I can stay out of it’s way!). There will also be staging below with access via helices on both the right and left sides of the layout. Scale is HO with HOn30 for the small mine.
Dave
Technically this is not a dog-bone it is a loop-to-loop. For the continous running train, why don’t you make one through track in staging to run it through on. That way its run is longer and it would not be as obvious that it is just running “loops”. I think it would be pretty hard to switch while dodging a train on such a short circuit.
Could make it even longer by making a main run along the top “over” the current main in the yard. Not a whole new level just one track above grade. Like a twice around. I think you could get three loops between the staging, current main, and upper track. Much longer run.
Is there any “connection” between the Narrow Gauge and Standard? Ore dump or hopper loader?
In your engine terminal I believe you could save a lot of space by making the turntable function as a turnout for the run around track instead of the one going off to the upper left.
I think that it is short on switching areas. The one along the right edge is interesting, but even so only three spurs and one has to go all the way back to the yard to do a run around.
At first sight, I would switch the mining area and the engine terminal. Makes more sense that the terminal w/b closer to a yard than a narrow gauge mine. As an operating plan, you could have a local interchange with the narrow gauge line and bring the ore back to the yard. Having more distance for that run w/b better, IMO.
Texas Zepher:
Thanks for your input and observations. To answer your questions, the staging is set up so that a train can run through from one helix to the other. There is also a reverse loop in the staging which can be used to reverse trains coming from the left helix. I’m trying to fit the same thing in for the right side helix but so far the curves are too tight.
The narrow guage mine was to be connected to the track just before the entrance to the left hand helix via an ore chute. The narrow guage track is a scale 58’ above the main line. The main line will run under the chute. I recognize that arrangement will fowl trains coming from or going into the staging so I will have to rethink it.
I actually had more spurs in the design but the reach in distances were getting out of hand.
The need to do a run around on the right hand spurs had not even occurred to me - duh! I will change that too.
Here is the staging plan as it stands now, without the ability to reverse a train from the right helix which I will have to fix:
Doughless:
I had the mine and the engine terminal as you suggested in an earlier plan. Not quite sure why I switched it around but your observation about relative distances is noteworthy. I hope to achieve some continuity between the terminal and the yard by using city buildings and industrial buildings along the backdrop on the top right and right sides. The top left and left sides will be fairly mountainous.
Thanks
Dave