Ok, just thought maybe plans got mixed up.
I apologize OKrl but I like the simplicity of the first plan. The selective compression thing aside, the non-classification track area of plan “B”, looks way too involved for a yard consisting of what now appears to be 4 tracks. The other two tracks involving the crossover, and I’m assuming won’t be used for classification or there’s no need for the crossover.
You’ve got a wide variety of non-classification type of tracks that would seem to fit more for a division point sized yard that was breaking down each and every train that came by, rather than a mid-point type of yard that only broke down a portion of the trains that went through.
MichaelWinicki
Ok, I see what you mean about the crossover in yard tracks. That wasn’t meant to take them out of being used as class tracks, more of a what if situation. Such as pulling equipment out of MOW tracks to head straight out to the right? Most special moves would be short trains and this would give you a run around to get in front and leave yard. Should there be no MOW equipment kept in yard? Should there be no crossover in yard tracks period?
I do appreciatate comments and suggestions so feel free to let’er rip.
Thanks
First a point of clarification, MofW referrs to the engineering forces, they repair track and bridges. They own gang cars, tool cars, water cars, ballast cars, air dumps, bridge cranes, Burro cranes, snow plows and jordan spreaders plus an assortment of gons, boxes and flats for handling company material. The mechanical department has ballast cars, panel cars, wrecker cranes, wrecker diners, tool cars, block cars, flats for loading wrecks, flats for wheels, flats for traction motors, sand cars, fuel tank cars and an assortment of boxcars for handling company material.
Engineering cars and mechanical cars are managed as two different fleets and are generally independent of each other and are not mixed.
As to what would be at your yard, the answer really is what is the size of the yard. At a small yard they most likey wouldn’t have squat unless there is a gang there working on something temporarily. In that case they put them wherever they can stick them. There might be a supply car for the rip track or service track. You wouldn’t have a wrecker unless you have a fairly substancial mechanical department, a large rip track or a full “roundhouse” service facility. You might have a snowplow/spreader/flanger if you are in snow area, but that could be stuffed in any available track. The most you might have at a yard your size is a car or two of ballast and car or rail or panels for derailment protection. But that track could be stuffed anywhere in the terminal. The only requirement is it has to be someplace that isn’t going to be buried up, but it doesn’t have to be near the service track or rip track.
So the question is how much real estate do you want to devote to “display” tracks that should sit there, untouched about 99% of the time. Rather than take up the space for track you will just park something on, you might want to use the space to put r
Dave H.
Thanks for info on MofW crews and mechanic depts. Makes sense, tho didn’t know worked as independent divisions from each other. After popping drawing up closer to real size, you are correct in needing more space around RIP track, so will correct that.
Probably will keep some of trackage for “display”, cause I have a few wrecking cranes and misc cars that are pretty much what they are, just display! [(-D]
Thanks for input!
Assuming there is no space to bend things around the corner. In order to keep from screwing up the current good design, I would, say, just move the yard ladder back to where the first loco storage track is and move those two (storage-caboose) tracks to the left side of the yard. That way the locomotives get to and from it either on the A/D track or on the yard bypass track (bottom track on the drawing). Maybe add a stub ended loco storage track or RIP track too. I would also change to a compound ladder to save space.
Having a track immediately parallel to the ladder and conntecting to the switching lead and the last track of the ladder allows locomotives to stay off the ladder track when they are just passing through to/from the loco service area. One still has congestion on the switching lead, but this can be avoided if the principal switching lead is on the opposite end of the yard.
Mark
Another point on MofW: When they redid the ties out on rthe ex NYC bee Line/Big Four, they crammed the entire fleet into the Co-op INSTEAD of the major yad nearby. This isn;t large cranes or anything that moves faster than 25, but that;s where they were for most of the work.
Mr. Wilson,
Your design looks great! I would suggest that you lay the trackwork and operate it for a while to simulate your operations and you will find the faults in it. I have a very similar design except mine is double ended. The most important aspect I found was being to access the A/D tracks from the drill track without fouling the main. I believe you have that covered. My yard drills from one end and trims from the other so there are actually different considerations for each aspect. I designed each end to fit the specific purpose I intended for it. My yard is more of a division point and includes a 2 track engine shop with a third track for light repair and storage. My design also includes fueling racks on both ends of the A/D tracks so thru trains can be serviced without a trip to the engine shop. Most of my thru trains consist of intermodal, coal, and grain unit trains and are not classified in the yard, these trains use the fueling racks mentioned. Most of my manifest trains originate and terminate in this yard and are completely classified.
I found thru building it and operating it I was able to fine tune the arrangement to make it flow. Space is always an issue, I don’t care how much you have. You have to set limits and accept what you can do with it. My engine shop is in a similiar location as yours and drilling must stop to access it, but I have not found that to be a problem. I have accepted this and do not regret it. Yes it would require coordination, but what else does the YM have to do any way.
Where in OK are you located. I am in Tulsa.
I know it may be hard to see but here is my yard.
N737AA About 85 miles straight west, Perry, OK
I got several redesigns on yard plan drawn up, still working on it.
Thanks for comments.
OK over by the BNSF Mainline…I posted a pic of my yard layout in my previous post. I can email it to you if you like.
Just some food for thought… You can gain some extra length on your body tracks by putting the turnouts on your ladder on a smaller angle (example: #6 turnouts on a ladder set on a #5 angle).
BNSF76
N737AA Mike, just looked at your album, nice work!
Also looked at your yard plan in album, so can see how you set it up. Lot of proto rail in Tulsa area to model, had thought about modelling some of that myself. Probably will freelance using elements local to Perry area, such as power plant at Sooner Lake, local grain and farm supplies, ect. Kinda got to stretch timeline some, late 50’s into the 70’s.
Are you going to model any of the SSR, SKOL, and TSU equipment?
bnsf76
One of the redesigns will use that idea. Did get a couple of books in and reading them now. Maybe this winter can get started on actually putting some track down.
Thanks!
I am freelancing my Central States after the BNSF (former Frisco) Cherokee Sub (Springfield to Tulsa) and Creek Sub (Tulsa to Madill, Tx). The TSU and SK&O are represented on my layout as well as Farmrail (on my layout they now operate the BNSF Avard sub (which passes thru your neck of the woods).
I grew up in St Louis, so it is hard to match that here in Tulsa, but yes there is some good railfanning here, the Port of Catoosa has an interesting flair to it and I am modeling a condedensed version of it as well.
The pics on my album are a bit dated and the yard has been reconfigured to the drawing I sent you. The reconfiguration was the result of actually operating it. Only then did I see what its short comings were. I need to update the album to show the new yard configuration.
Regards,
Here are some pics of my updated yard arrangement.
