Here’s a not-to-scale trackplan of Allentown Yard on the AS&N, this is based on the prototype NS yard, this is where NS (or CR if operating in CR tiem period) and AS&N trains arrive and depart, the AS&N main line can be seen on the lower left and lower right of the plan, the loop will be used for testing engines and be used as a challenge to the operators I’m still not sure how many yard tracks I’ll have, I’m hoping to have 6 to 10, more than likely I’ll have 8, I’ll use an SD38 and MT6 (slug rebuilt by Conrail from RSD12’s and RSD15’s) to switch the yard like NS (and Conrail before that) uses.
Mark, how big is the space that this is supposed to fit into? It is a lot of track, but it may not be the best use of your space. A lot of circles, and no real switching. I realize this is only one part of the plan, but some of your earlier designs were more interesting. Are you still in dream mode, or are you ready to start construction?
Like I said before, I think 6 or 8 tracks will work fine instead of the 10 I put down, I’m still not 100% sure how wide the section will be but I’m positive it will be between 4 feet 6 inches and 5 feet, I have all of the benchwork up and the 25% of the plywood up, since i posted the other trackplan I was forced to make some changes which altered the plan a lot, once I get a solid plan for the yard I’ll make one for the entire layout.
If you have the space I like it as it is…One can never have enough yard tracks IMHO.On my past layouts I usually use 8 tracks but,soon found I could use 2 more…Now on my N scale Industrial switching layout I have a small 10 track yard seeing I needed a east bound/west bound outbound tracks…I have 7 tracks for holding overflow cars for industries and a combine engine track / team track.
It seems to me that this yeard has a lot of operational potential either as a staging yard for a larger layout or as a place where you can do a lot of switching.
Mark, I hope that the 4-1/2’ to 5’ dimension is the depth and not the length. If that is the case it is way too deep for reach if it is up against a wall.
If the length of the benchwork isn’t at least 10’, there is no way you will fit a double ended yard in. You can draw it, but you can’t build it. Do you have all of the switches for that? If you do, put together a ladder, and see how much space it takes up. This will be a good learning experience. I’ll be here to help.
Decide which direction you want the switcher to run and do away with the double ended yard. The two sets of switches do the same thing so one end is redundent. Don’t make your drill track (switch lead) a part of you passing siding or mainline. Put a box, cardboard or whatever, at about the same height as your layout will be and about the same distance from the wall and see how far you can reach. The max reach is about 3 1/2 feet and that is quite a strech.
Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Some of the turnouts on the switches look limiting to certain kinds of rollingstock. The GA has a stump yard and uses triple switches and the odd double slip switch in order to increase capacity of the yard which can hold 89 foot flats.
I forgot - I’m using curved turnouts in the throat of my yard. It give me a little more length on the yard tracks. You might try this. If turnouts are laid with care they WILL NOT be a problem.
Thanks for the back up on this Bob. I’m not sure if you have made the connection yet, but our friend Dougal here is only 13. Some of the others that see no trouble in this design are not much older. This is a wonderful opportunity for those of us with some experience to do some teaching and mentoring.
Looks good to me Mark, I like the idea of the engine testing loop too. Big boy, I like the doubled ended Idea, as that way you can have a train go one way or another, with out haveing to do a run around move. I do agree though, that you have to check the depth of the yard. If it’s not right you might want to make a sceniced pop up hole somewhere for maintanence, and that way you don’t have to lose anything.
