Finally, after 5 years i’ve developed a finished trackplan using Sandborn maps as well as other sources to replicate my prototype SP branch operation. The only potential compromise will be the necessity to stack the stagging yards. Info as to the pros and cons of doing so are much appreciated.
Dave
I would say it depends on how deep your yards will be, and what the height difference between the two. Other than that, I don’t see a problem.
On one hand you don’t want to make it so that you can’t see/reach into your bottom yard. If they’re too close together, or your bottom yard is too deep, it will get mighty difficult to be able to properly put your cars on the tracks.
On the other hand, since you’re going to have a nice slop from the bottom one to the top level, you get a separate entrance to the layout from the bottom yard (basically two citys, from yards mere inches from each other instead of across the room from each other.
I say go for it. Just make sure you leave plenty of room to get your cars on the tracks properly.
I have them (two stacked on top of each other with the main yard on top of that). It works but I would much prefer them to be on the same level. Running up a helix to get into the yard from staging is a real drag (freight). Use them only if absolutely necessary and try to have at least 12" of clearance.
This branch had a max 3% grade which I will most likely reduce for operating reasons. The stagging yard entrances are on opposite sides of the room in my 50X40 point-to-point design. What I did gain, and what my other plans did not accomodate, was to include the gravel quarry spur that did exist at one time. On my plan this spur drops from the top level to the bottom for easy access via the lower yard, empties in-loads out operation using the 0-5-0 method. My intentions are to avoid the use of a helix.
Dave
It all depends more on how many tracks than clearance (verticle) between them. The only way I could do everthing I wanted was to put part of my frt yard on the lower level under my Psgr yds. Verticle clearance is 2 ft. but the lower level has a total of 20 tracks. I compounded this idiocy by using 2" track centers! Nothing goes wrong on the three tracks along the aisle. Any problems that come up are in the 5 track departure yard along the wall. If you’re only going to use a few tracks (say 6 or fewer) you could probably get by w/ less than a foot of verticle clearance. Working on the deepest tracks could be a problem, but the fewer the tracks the less the problem. Just be sure to use 2 1/2" track centers unless your fingers are signifiigantly less chubby than mine.
Both yards will have 4 tracks, 22 X 2 feet in length, no reverse loops or other complicated trackwork. I’m still working out how to turn the power upon arrival at the yards, maybe a couple of Atlas HO tables converted with an S scale deck. The stacked yard is becoming more appealing by the minute.
Dave
if you have at least one track easily accessible, build, remove cars from it, then switch them into the lesser accessible tracks ready to go.