Back to the Drawing Board

It appears well thought out.  Plenty of interest without cramming every square inch with track.  It's great that you've designed with he ability for future expansion in mind.  The yard and engine facility is wonderfully ample ...loads of space for slow moving operations.

One consideration if I might.  The grade could be reduced if you re-route the merging track connected by that curved switch.  If you tied it into the inner track at about the same spot on the layout, the double crossover will take care of any switching further down the line.  This will allow you to extend the graded outside track, reducing the 4% and/or gaining a little more height on the top level.  Believe me, you can't have enough height between levels, especially once the scenery is finished.

Bruce

Fridge56Vet,

Only one concern to express; your yard lead, to the extent you have one, fouls a reversing loop and has to run through the turnout side of at least one switch before possibly "ending" in a tunnel, depending on the length of a cut of cars being switched.  Maybe try starting the yard off of the other side of that inner loop with a nice long unencumbered lead and curving it around to near its present location.  Switch move derailments, and more so in a tunnel, will soon stop the fun of yard switching.

Chuck

If I'm understanding correctly, you're suggesting I move the switch from the curve to further down the main straight to just before the double crossover.  If I have enough room between the outer main line & the post I'll prob. do that. I may be able to create some space.  The support post is encased in wood paneling that matches the rest of the wall on the layout's left.  When we re-do the room (necessary before construction may begin), tearing out the paneling should hopefully give me an extra inch or two to extend the ramp. 

I'll see what I can do space-wise - I think I prob. designed it that way to give me the longest yard possible.  The tunnel will not extend as far as in the initial diagram (I've since shortened it up a bit).  However, I'm not sure there's a way for me to totally separate the yard lead & tunnel or yard lead & rev. loop & still have a large enough yard to make it worthwhile.  Was sort of a compromise to maximize use of space.  I'll also try to research yard function a bit (haven't had time at this point) to see if I get any ideas.  Again, I'll see what I can do.  Thanks. 

brwebster:

Is this what you were suggesting re: that turnout?  Managed to give myself an extra inch of clearance over that 1st tunnel.  If I put the turnout further up the straight I'll likely have to wrap the track around the pole.  Also added a turnout on the back of the layout extending into "Phase 2," which I've included in the files. 

Sorry about the delay in responding.  If it's doable, putting the turnout further up the straight, as you say, would accomplish what I was proposing.  I see now how you're trying to keep the 2 inner loops relatively independent.  Lengthening the grade will provide a smoother transition on the throttle.  You avoid extreme "full out" when trying to climb the grade and also a run away train when descending.  It also allows longer trains to climb the grade.  It's all about ease of operation without taxing your engines to the limit.

If you could run the track around that pole it would give you an even lesser grade percentage or a higher second level.  Might make for an interesting layout feature too.

Bruce

 Bruce:

Thanks!  Seems like we're on the same page. When I re-do the basement before layout construction I'll pull the paneling from around the pole & see how much room I have.  I don't want to encroach too much on my wife's side of the room.   I agree that longer is better. Not sure I want to take the 2nd level much higher anyhow, as it will wreck the grade in Phase II, so additional length would all help the grade.

Good thinking!  Number 1 priority when planning a layout....clear all expansion proposals with THE higher authority.

Good luck with what you have designed.  It should provide for some fun operating sessions.

Bruce

Thought about the grade issues linking the low & high tracks in the back in Phase II, so I came up with an alternate design.  This should give me room to raise the back track if I can move the switch further down while keeping the grades under 4%.