Where to Isolate?

[Trainzman2435]

The problem I have with the reverse loop with double slip one is there’s no way to get to the engine facility from the yard, like in the second one, which is what I was talking about. Now, if there is still room to sneak in a diagonal track, then maybe you can have both - the two reverse sections PLUS the enginer terminal connected to the yard.

And I think you could fit that in, the upper one would go the other way - upper left to lower right, from the siding to the right side of the yard. And the lower one would go from the right side of the staging yard up to the main just before the loop.

Another reason to do away with the reverse loop connections is that in the second plan, you can have the track at the top, and that industry, at a higher elevation than the yard. Cross the tracks over one another with a grade separation at the base of the middle pennisula instead of a level crossing. Flop sides on the penninsula - so the track makes an X at the base, one track over the other. Go all the way to the bottom, so the loop at the lower right has the train go around clockwise, on a downgrade, with the staging under the main. Reducing that section’s width, allowing for bigger aisles and/or making the penninsula wider to put more industries along it.

–Randy

Randy, any chance you could put my track plan in paint and roughly sketch what it is that you mean sir? I am having a hard time seeing exactly what you mean…Many thanks for your input!

[rrinker]

If you MUST have reverse loops, this:

I still think it would be better with no reverse loops and a grade separtation. Uphill starts behinf the roundhouse and goes across the top, that 60 degree at grade crossing becomes one track crossing over the other. The summit maybe at the turnback curve of the penninsula, then down to the bottom section. There’s enough distance I think to get the staging yard low enough so that the track across the bottom, instead of being in front of the staging tracks, could be at least partially over it, which makes room for wide aisles and/or widening the peninsula. For even more scenic interest, the line from the top going onto the penninsula could enter at the bottom and cross over the track that exists the peninsula and heads toward the bottom. That track would exit the poeninsula at the top, so like a big X.

If you are building mostly to railfan trains running through scenery, that would give more opportunities. If you want more operations, keep the peninsula as is, and you can add industries to switch along both sides.

–Randy

[Trainzman2435]

If you MUST have reverse loops, this:

I still think it would be better with no reverse loops and a grade separtation. Uphill starts behinf the roundhouse and goes across the top, that 60 degree at grade crossing becomes one track crossing over the other. The summit maybe at the turnback curve of the penninsula, then down to the bottom section. There’s enough distance I think to get the staging yard low enough so that the track across the bottom, instead of being in front of the staging tracks, could be at least partially over it, which makes room for wide aisles and/or widening the peninsula. For even more scenic interest, the line from the top going onto the penninsula could enter at the bottom and cross over the track that exists the peninsula and heads toward the bottom. That track would exit the poeninsula at the top, so like a big X.

If you are building mostly to railfan trains running through scenery, that would give more opportunities. If you want more operations, keep the peninsula as is, and you can add industries to switch along both sides.

–Randy

Randy, i see what you mean now…Thanks. As for the “Grade Seperation” you mention, about how many inches would you raise it if you were doing it? 2", maybe 4"? Thanks again sir!

[rrinker]

4" is enough for HO, so would look good with N. If the grade started halfway around the loop behind the roundhouse, it would be less than a 2% grade - 2% woudl get you over 5" vertical clearance.

You wouldn’t have the reverse connection with the changing grade design. You have to decide which is more important to the type of layout you want to have.

–Randy

[Trainzman2435]

4" is enough for HO, so would look good with N. If the grade started halfway around the loop behind the roundhouse, it would be less than a 2% grade - 2% woudl get you over 5" vertical clearance.

You wouldn’t have the reverse connection with the changing grade design. You have to decide which is more important to the type of layout you want to have.

–Randy

Randy, i appreciate your information and suggestions buddy, i think i will actually do as you suggested and add the seperate elevation. One last thing, how is the easiest way to go about adding the seperate elevation? I have the incline sets and the risers but as far as adding either 2" or 4" elevation difference, would i just stack cut styrofoam sheeting in certain areas of my layout to accompolish this? Also, anyway you could roughly mark where i would add the elevation according to your suggestions, i am a newbie when it comes to elevations other than flat lol…Any and all of your help i greatly appreciate…Thank you Randy!

[Trainzman2435]

Alright everyone, here is my latest track re design/modification lol. I removed the big yard on the southern portion of the layout and just went the 5 track smaller yard and kind of simplified it. I also added both reverse sections on the southern portion of the layout, one on the western side and one on the eastern side of the yard. I also worked my double slip switch back into the plan but havent decided if i should keep it or delete it and maybe place it somewhere else. I really need some input on where to isolate the reverse sections as well as what i should use for an auto reverse module. Please keep the comments and suggestions coming…Thanks!

[OldEngineman]

Wouldn’t the turntable (upper left) be more appropriately located adjacent to the yard (at the bottom)…?

[richhotrain]

If you want to keep your original track plan but the double slip no longer works for you in the upper portion of the layout, then scrap the double slip and add a second reversing section to the bottom portion of your layout. The two solid red lines in the following track diagram illustrate my suggested modification to your original track diagram.

Rich

[Trainzman2435]

If you want to keep your original track plan but the double slip no longer works for you in the upper portion of the layout, then scrap the double slip and add a second reversing section to the bottom portion of your layout. The two solid red lines in the following track diagram illustrate my suggested modification to your original track diagram.

Rich

Rich, sorry about that, i guess i just misunderstood ya. Thanks for the illustration, i will rework my plan and post the updated one back here instead of adding to that other thread…Thanks…

[richhotrain]

I cannot recall if you are actually building this layout or merely drawing plans for it. If each square represents 1 foot, the proposed layout appears to be approximately 18’ x 12’. Can you update us on the current status and size of this layout?

Rich

[mbinsewi]

In one of threads, or, maybe a complete different one, the OP shows pictures of his building progress. Not sure which forum it’s in.

The layout is in a seperate yard shed type building, and the bench work was mostly done, if I remember right.

Some of us were trying to convince him to finish the walls of the shed before he went any farther, as the walls were bare studs.

Mike.

[Trainzman2435]

I cannot recall if you are actually building this layout or merely drawing plans for it. If each square represents 1 foot, the proposed layout appears to be approximately 18’ x 12’. Can you update us on the current status and size of this layout?

Rich

Rich, i have the benchwork completed as well as most of the walls finished, i also have the main line track work and grade laid and wired for DCC on the northern portion up to where the 2 tracks cross over each other on the eastern peninsula. I will update more with pictures as soon as i can. Thank you and i will post the revised track plan as soon as i get it reworked, been off work hurt and trying to get things ready to return to work this coming Monday.

[Trainzman2435]

In one of threads, or, maybe a complete different one, the OP shows pictures of his building progress. Not sure which forum it’s in.

The layout is in a seperate yard shed type building, and the bench work was mostly done, if I remember right.

Some of us were trying to convince him to finish the walls of the shed before he went any farther, as the walls were bare studs.

Mike.

Mike, you are correct sir. My layout building is actually a prebuilt 14’x20’ lofted out building. I am still trying to get the walls finished up as far as insulation and drywall. Thanks buddy!