Thinking Out Loud...

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I’m puzzling over how to improve the traffic flow of the layout without making it look like a hack job.

Here’s what I have at the moment: Note that the dimensions in the first drawing are incorrect. I actually took the time to measure out the revised drawing that appears after this. That said, the track configuration is more or less what’s on the ground right now.


The main problem with the existing track plan is that westbound trains don’t have a proper staging yard to terminate in, which means they come from east staging, which is hidden below the Paper Mill scene, and accessed via a bridge across the aisle from North Jct. They then pass properly through Ridgeley Yard, where they get worked, then proceed onto the main part of the layout via the westbound leg of Williamsport Jct. Heading west, trains then reach Maryland Jct., where they can enter either the Connellsville Sub toward western Pennsylvania, or the Thomas Sub, toward the coal fields of West Virginia. As you can see, these two options presently just fold back onto themselves to create essentially a simple twice-around track plan.

In order to “escape” to reach staging again, all trains must divert to the Thomas Sub track in order to return to what we call the “Utility Sub” via Williamsport Junction, back through Ridgeley (this time as a through movement since technically it’s headed west) then back into the hidden staging loop. Likewise, eastbound movements from the west have make the same trip through the Utility Sub until they reach the Meyersdale Siding (in the c

2

Hi Lee,

just a few questions.

  1. Will Elkins be on a second level (15 or 18 high)? Seems almost impossible.

  2. Did you consider an out and back?

  3. Do both lines have to end in a loop?

  4. Do you have any ideas about the grades? (2% or ?)

At first glance it would be much easier to flip the two loops, so the low line to CNV has its loop first.

Paul

3

1. Will Elkins be on a second level (15 or 18 high)? Seems almost impossible.

As drawn, Elkins will sit roughly 8" above the next highest track, which would be the Connellsville line. At first blush, the easiest solution would be a stub end staging yard so that shelf would only have to be about12" deep, however, using a reverse loop accomplishes two things: It allows for a train to run the circuit unattended for display running, and it provides for longer sidings (the full length of the loop) instead of shorter stub tracks that would have to be worked. I would still have the option to include some stub tracks to be able to sort trains as needed before they return to the main layout.

2. Did you consider an out and back?

Yes, see above. Functional, but lacking some of the important features I want to include.

3. Do both lines have to end in a loop?

That’s an important question. The Connellsville line traffic is better suited to a loop, so there I would say yes. This is mostly through traffic where trains would just be coming and going. The Elkins line is more likely to have some trains built, so a stub end shelf could work, only with the compromises noted above.

4. Do you have any ideas about the grades? (2% or ?)

The grades will max out at 2%, which is appropriate for the Thomas Sub, which should have steeper grades and sharper curves. I’d like to keep the Connellsville line around 1%.

At first glance it would be much easier to flip the two loops, so the low line to CNV has its loop first.

I’ve thought about that. Originally I wanted to run the CNL line below the main level and put the return loop under the Ridgely Yard, which may still be an option. By doing that, I could extend the Elkins line, which would allow

4

The original plan just screams make me into a dog bone double track main plan. I’d add a return loop by the closet and use the existing loop on the other end. I’d put a staging/ fiddle yard by the depatcher"s desk. Put staging for the other end under the main part of the layout after you have turned through the existing loop.

5

An interesting thought, however, my prototype was primarily single track with sidings, and the key operating feature is the junction of the two subs, requiring three staging areas (one east, two west)

I’m diddling around with some sketches (in lieu of productive work! ) and I think I’m getting close. If I eliminate the red blob in the upper left corner, and run the Thomas sub on a shelf about 12" above the main layout, I can make that work as a stub end terminal. The Connellsville blue blob, can then drop down below the main, running on the steel plate bridge in the earlier photo, then under the yard to a 3 track staging loop. By extending the run this way, I can drop down enough to get under the yard benchwork to make it go.

Details to follow…

Lee

6

Okay. After firing up the old design program, I think I’ve got it figured out. Here’s what I’ve got now…

I’ll move the CNL staging loop down via a 2 turn helix in the corner, that will put it under the Ridgeley section where there’s plenty of room for a 36" + wide staging loop, I’m figuring four tracks with capacity for 30 car trains. The helix would be minimally 15" r., maybe a hair more if I can.

This puts the main line into Ridgely at a relatively flat 38", with a slight down grade running from the main layout blob to the yard.

The Elkins line will continue rising at the truss bridge (where it crosses MD. Jct.) so it can easily obtain 48" by the time it reaches the corner currently over the workbench. Elkins would be at roughly 48"-50", allowing close to a foot between it and the surface at Ridgeley.

Elkins itself will be a stub end terminal, so we can make up and break up the several trains that will start and end there. By keeping it in the corner, the yard operator should be out of the way of the crowd working Ridgeley.

Here’s the 3-D…

Thoughts?

Lee

7

Looks way better. I would think about putting a run around track by the window in the red section so an operator could interchange cars and head back the other way with the same engine and caboose.

8

I’m way ahead of ya. I just dropped in the grey line so you visualize the stub end yard. I’ve actually got 5’ between the window and the sloped ceiling… room for a 100’ turntable an about 5 yard tracks roughly 30" long. Plenty of room for the traffic that’ll be generated there. The run-around will handle about 24 cars.

Lee