Traffic on my new layout

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Greetings to all the consultants!

I have been running on 4x8’ cantilevered table in my second garage (built to get peace from the wife and still house my GMC truck when we leave). I have torn most of it out and have added an L-shaped shelfing that still allows the truck in. Here is a picture that also shows that the garage in my spray booth! [|(]

So, I am building a yard along the wall and tieing it into the table top with a main line that will cross the oval with a bridge. See below the RTS schematic I made.

My question/problem is that I would like to run this layout as a point-to-point and need to brainstorm how to make an easy turn-around on the table. As it shows now, I would either have to back the train out onto the shelf, or figure out some way (not easy!!??) to runaround both the loco and the caboose. There MUST be an easier way but this is all the space I have and I must have 22" radius and am going to use hand-made #5 turnouts. I have not added all the track for the table as I am VERY open to all suggestions. Thanks in advance!

BTW, this pasting with Photobucket is fun!! [swg]

2

Are you running steam or diesel? If diesel, you can add a passing track and switch the caboose to the other end of the train and then couple up the loco where the caboose was.

The other option is to put in a cross-over track that goes from the lower left to the upper right. You would have a crossing with that and the access track which could be a good opportunity for a nice scene with a couple of signals. Other industry tracks could come off either track that crosses the layout or the ones on the sides. Curved turnouts are an option in tight areas.

3

Mac - thanks for taking the time to respond. I used to have a crossing route on the table but with the slope up to the bridge, I don’t want to do that again. I am going to modify the plan and add track and then post it again. Please comment. I am considering a curved turnout for the right lower corner. I am running diesel and have one TrainMaster which makes it tougher. [banghead]

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