OK I have not been around for a while, I have not been active with Model Railroading other than reading my monthly MR sub. Anyway I started doing some work in my shed and now I have enough room for a small layout. The shed needs to still be used for storage of some tools and I use it as a work shop for computers and models. So with that being said here is what I have come up with for a track plan, and I would like you guys out there to give me your take on my track plans. I have 4 versions of this track plan and the first will give you an idea of the placement of industry and other components. The yard to the east will be about 4 or 5 inches higher than the rest of the layout (to clear shelves underneath)
I added a wye with a passing siding to this version. It is kinda complex where the removable section is but it should still be doable.
A different wye, this time with no passing siding. Notice there is more room for the town but no way really for opposing trains to pass so it will be one direction at a time. The turnout on the bridge can be placed just about anywhere, I placed it down as far as I did to try to make a siding but it would only leave me enough room for 2 or 3 car trains, I plan on 6 t o7 cars per train.
No wye this time but there is a passing siding on the bridge and also I was able to add an industry with out adding extra clutter.
Lemme know what you all think and if you can suggest a way to make it better I am all ear
I think the second has the best operational opportunities. Widen your benchwork in the upper right corner and add some more scenery, but at least keep your trains a little farther from the edge of the layout (or add some plexiglass walls to prevent accidents).
I like the last one compared to the first one because of the spur that heads under the yard area. The plans with the wye look cluttered to me.
Not knowing the operating plan or theme you envision, its difficult to make any recommendations. It looks like a good plan, however.
Edited:
You could use the south side of the loop strictly as a tail track, whereby the train coming from the yard would stop after clearing the turnout, and back into the industrial area. It could work its way all the way around the north side of the layout delivering and picking up cars. Make the bridge shorter and reserve it for display running only. Extend the permanent benchwork down from the north, fatten it up, and use the curved track as a spur to an industry. You would then have three industrial spurs along the north side of the layout. This plan would keep the center part open and give you access to the left side of the layout and the yard, without having to duck under the bridge during an op session, which is what it looks like you’ll have to do the way your plan is currently configured.
You could also bury the farthest left track inside low relief buildings to provide some scenic separation between the mainline track to/from the yard, and the industrial area. Not essential, just a thought.
That is pretty close to my plan, close enough any way. The track from the west yard will be hidden inside a tunnel so the train will only go there one time around. Some of my online industries will deliver cars to the west yard while others will have local destinations. I am not sure what is going to go where alot of that depends on what will fit where and look good.
I just edited my post right before you posted. I had some concerns about you having to duck under the bridge during an operating session, so I thought of an alternate plan.
The idea of having a tunnel instead of buildings would work too.
I am leaning to the second plan but the 4th would also make for a nice plan minus the no turn around. If I go with the second plan I may make the siding a little longer so I can park a train there while I turn the loco around. I can see some operation oppertunities if my railroad is forced to turn a train to make the evening delivery at the south spur. maybe…
