This is as close to the finished trackplan as I'll probably get for the top level on the computer. I assume I'll need tweaks when I actually put track down. Hopefully this picture is big enough. You might need to open it in a new tab or window to zoom in and see everything.
There are a few spots with custom length track sections and there is one custom crossing. The basic layout is a double track main so I can always have engines running while working the mill. I really hope I can have some people over to run trains but I know I will also run trains by myself. This allows me to have action in both ways. There is only one reverse line on this level. I didn't see a need for another because this one will set trains up to go back down the helix on the right side of the trackplan. I can put another opposite reverse line on the bottom level where the mine is.
I tried to hide as much of the train as I could on the left side of the track plan under a huge mountain. I think that having a completely uncovered loop would take away from the mill operations. I did the same on the right side and might extend the mountain some more there as well. I think that will really come into play once the table is up and track is laid because I'll be able to feel it out better.
The yard in the middle is likely to shrink. I made it as big as possible and didn't really concern myself with how many cars it could hold. I just knew I had a finite amount of space so I would plan to use all of it and that's ok if I don't. Track 1 is the mainline loop. 2-7 are the yard; hopefully three inbound tracks, three outbound tracks. 8 is a run around to get cars past the yard and to get access to the mainline. 9 is the high line. I expect to the final height to be between 4-6 inches. The unmarked side is an optional siding that might not make it to the final build. 10 is another run around track mainly in case 8 is tied up with yard operations. It also could find itself being reduced to a siding.
The blast furnaces will dominate the right side of the layout. There are canteens (lunch rooms) at 10 and 11. Hoist engines at 9. The buildings 17, 8, and 18 are going to be blower engines, boiler house, and probably maintenance. I just haven't decided how to divide that up. I have options there. 15 is the high line ore track. I'm going to start learning Arduino so I can power the unloaders I'm making. The coal/iron ore/limestone will probably be the same material. But I think the fun of actually unloading a car will out shine the part where it all looks like coal. Anyway, it will go down through the layout and be collected and moved by screw conveyor back to the coal mine on the lower level. I started designing and printing the screw conveyors and it's coming along. I never made a screw conveyor before so I don't have a darn clue what I'm doing. But that's what I like about this hobby. You can do it your way and figure it out.
The open hearth (14) will probably be the defining piece of this side of the layout. It clocks in 70 inches long. The track at the top of the plan nearest the mainline will be where hot metal/scrap comes in for use in the furnace. The three tracks to the right of the building will be where tanker cars will be connected for the fuel used in the furnaces. The placement isn't exactly realistic but I was running out of space and an enormous open hearth building was more important to me than this detail. I could have just had gas lines from off the layout coming in but I decided moving tankers around would be more fun! Teeming will take place on the track below the number fourteen. I already designed an ingot mold (thank goodness I worked in an ingot mold foundry haha) and so now I'll have to figure out what to do about the ingot buggies. I think I'll be able to draw them in CAD and 3D print them but we'll see. I wanted two sets of teeming tracks but it just wasn't working out. Building 13 will be the stripper for the molds. It will probably also include soaking pits and a forge press or small rolling mill. Then I expect the unmarked building to be the shipping building but again, there are options.
You're a beast if you made it this far! Thank you so much for reading. I know I didn't summarize the operations much but the short of it is that freight comes into the yard and gets sent where it needs to on the layout. Maybe I'll make another novel length post about it another night. Now cross your fingers that I'm off this weekend and I can start getting wood together to start bench work haha I'm pretty sure I bit off more than I can chew and I'm going to hit a ton of bumps in the road but it's cool. I don't mind a challenge and I know there's people here with the answers. I'm mostly intimidated by the electrical side of things. How do I power all the switches? How do I power the layout itself? Will I ever leave the house again instead of playing with trains all day? Will Legacy/TMCC/DSC become unruly when I add the bottom layer? Should be a good time haha
Edit: I think OGR smushed my photo down when I uploaded. I'll try to get it so you can read the numbers when you zoom in.
Ok the pdf seems to work. Let me know if it doesn't and I'll try something else.
