I was wondering if you guys could help me out with my track plan. This is one area where I struggle, as I lack the knowledge of the yards, passing sidings, etc. I know it will be Sn42, (S on HO track), single mainline, and I will provide the benchwork diagram. Also, I would like minimum 18" radius. I hope to have it a combined point to point, with reverse loops hidden under the two towns, for continuous running if someone visits, or I have a layout tour. Also, I will not care if it is up to snuf with mu perfect plan, i’ll end up changing wht you do one way or another. THANKS IN ADVANCE! Here’s the diagram…little un readable font is to show were the towns are. drawn up in XtrackCad, not amazing program, but worth it for $0.
oops, forgot to say it is 14x14.
Have you had a chance to read “Track Planning for Realistic Operation” by John Armstrong? Even if you are not too interested in operation it gives a lot of information on trackwork.
It would also help the folks here give you more complete answers if you told us some of your preferences. Things like era, location, specific industries and any other things you would like to include on your layout.
Good luck,
Richard
hi obsessed,
did you build your bench work already? I would prefer to have a drawing of your room, with all obstacles like doors and windows indicated. Other footprints might suit the space you have better.
Beside the information asked above, the minimum radius seems very small to me. Are you sure your engines and cars are able to cope with the 18" radius. And what is the spacing and the length of your trains? And the length of your longest car or engine?
In a earlier posting you were talking about grades and several passing sidings and yards. As said before, dreaming might be wonderful; in the space you have, my first thought is “go for N-scale”.
Try not to use the word yard, it can mean anything. A passing siding with some spurs or a classification yard at a junction are more precise. It might be nice if you would read Track Planning For Realistic Operation. A point to point means two stub-stations at the ends, while loop to loop means two reverse loops. Which is not the same as a loop (or oval or lap) for continuous running.
On here some folks are really willing to help anyone, though some work from your hands would be welcomed. You will probably not be able to surprise or amaze the old hats, but just asking is not enough.
Smile
Paul
I think I have a good idea of what it will be like, an I’ll get some more books, and then I’ll just gi with it.
By the way, this i Sn42! (S on HO track)
Just remember an 18" radius curve in S scale is the equivalent of a 13" radius curve in HO scale.
For S scale you really need to be in the 24 " radius range.
Also, in S scale stuff is taller than HO so you need more vertical clearance. In HO you could get away with 3’ of clearance, but in S you will probably need closer to 4", throwing in 3/4" for roadbed, that makes it about 5 " vertical clearance. At a 2% grade it will take 250 inches or 20 ft of run to get down 5". Since the room is only 14’ wide, that means there really isn’t the room to put the loops under the towns at either end and still get back up to “normal” level.
If you absolutely must have a loop to loop, my suggestion is a lower level that is a big dogbone with 24" radius loops on each end and then put two towns above it, one on each end and connect the towns to the loop with grades. Operation would be from town A to the loop, make as many laps as you want, then up to town B.
For a contuous run, I’d use a removable “bridge” spanning the aisle between the towns, creating a temporary circle/oval.
One of the major issues you will face will be designing a layout or track plan. The first thing to do is define the space that you have. How much of the room can you use? Do you need to have a workbench in the same room? You will get more running track if your layout is along the walls with a peninsula or two sticking out toward the center. The longest that you can reach things is about 24 inches. Thus quite a few folks make their benchwork 24 inches wide. The peninsulas can be wider because you will have access from both sides and the end.
What I do for layout design (have done so far) is define my area and benchwork first. Next I decide on a theme. (Mainline running, with a branch line(?) or other special interests.) Then I put in a mainline. I am fond of twice around the room types divided by scenery and grades.
Since I have gotten into operations, I also have a staging area of some sort, whether it is a lay-over for entire trains, or a yard that simulates an interchange yard. One track in staging is a through track for continuous running. If I put cars on it, the layout becomes point to point for operations.
Next I try and determine how many small towns I can have, and possibility one city with a yard and loco facilities, without them crowding one another. Usually small yards and facilities unless I have the room for larger ones. I will try to fit in a way-side industry or two just for variation as long as it won’t crowd things.
Then I go looking at plans for modular railroads. I look for ones that would make good towns or cities because their track plans are usually fairly compact, and most of the way they will be switched is already determined with a good track plan themselves.
Because I freelance, I don’t worry about town and city names etc., but if you want to model a specific prototype, you can name the towns as the railroad you are modeling would, and build or plan you scene
[quote user=“gandydancer19”]
One of the major issues you will face will be designing a layout or track plan. The first thing to do is define the space that you have. How much of the room can you use? Do you need to have a workbench in the same room? You will get more running track if your layout is along the walls with a peninsula or two sticking out toward the center. The longest that you can reach things is about 24 inches. Thus quite a few folks make their benchwork 24 inches wide. The peninsulas can be wider because you will have access from both sides and the end.
What I do for layout design (have done so far) is define my area and benchwork first. Next I decide on a theme. (Mainline running, with a branch line(?) or other special interests.) Then I put in a mainline. I am fond of twice around the room types divided by scenery and grades.
Since I have gotten into operations, I also have a staging area of some sort, whether it is a lay-over for entire trains, or a yard that simulates an interchange yard. One track in staging is a through track for continuous running. If I put cars on it, the layout becomes point to point for operations.
Next I try and determine how many small towns I can have, and possibility one city with a yard and loco facilities, without them crowding one another. Usually small yards and facilities unless I have the room for larger ones. I will try to fit in a way-side industry or two just for variation as long as it won’t crowd things.
Then I go looking at plans for modular railroads. I look for ones that would make good towns or cities because their track plans are usually fairly compact, and most of the way they will be switched is already determined with a good track plan themselves.
Because I freelance, I don’t worry about town and city names etc., but if you want to model a specific prototype, you can name the towns as the railroad you are modeli