Canes RR posted:Thank you for the quick replies...I really appreciate you taking the time to look at my plans....
Frank...thank you for the pics and thoughts. I totally agree on the importance of some sleight of hand/imagination especially with a small layout like this. Far as I can figure out l can't get the trains to transition to a 2nd level without crazy grades (my understanding is not to go over 4%....
Hi CansRR, When I first constructed the first version of my layout, I considered having graded tracks to get trains from one level to another. If I recall correctly, somebody had advised that the ratio for such a connection between levels is 1 foot of graded horizontal track for every inch of vertical rise. Since my second level is a foot above the first (determined by the height of the tunnel portals), and the same is true for the distance the third level is above the second, I decided making long grades of track to have trains go from one level to the next, was not worth it, not for me, at least. So, the solution was simple: each level got its own separate tracks, with no connection of track among the levels .
The result is that my Second Level has 4 closed-loops that are for trains on that level; the Third Level has 1 train traveling its own closed-loop, with no connection via any track-grade to the second or first levels. I just, simply, did not want to dedicate that much real-estate to ramps.
Perhaps, my explaining my decision will offer you something to consider as you make your decisions. And hopefully, these two shots of part of the layout will afford you a further perspective on how the three levels have their trains operating separately, with no ramps connecting them.
FrankM
