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Have been here before requesting help and I got it but unfortunately health issues prevented me from getting anything started. So with my health now ok I am here again with another layout. This layout is just a beginning and need some help adding some additional ideas. Would like to have a small yard if possible, the ability to run two trains and and some sort of reverse loop to reverse the direction of the trains on the track. Have already sent this layout to Tim at Mianne benchwork and he has designed bench work based on the attached scarm layout so any changes have to be within the confines of the track in the layout. In other words you can't  go any larger. Hope I made this understandable. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks all

 

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Dale, a few random thoughts.

You get a somewhat larger view if you rotate the design so the longer length is on the X-axis.

Not every has SCARM, so it's always helpful to include a JPG image of the design

The tracks on the top and bottom are too close to the edges.

Is the Mianne bench work going to fill the whole space?

Are there walls on all 4 sides?

The center-to-center spacing between tracks on the straights is about 4" and while that will work okay on the straights, it may not be enough on the curves. I've seen suggestions for at least 4.5", but others suggest up to 6" to be safe for any equipment you might buy.

I'm not too happy with the yard in this, but I figured it would maybe start a conversation. It has better separation and reversing loops, but limits equipment to what will run on O45 curves.

12x14 11-18-19 daz

 

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Dave

Thanks for your response. I was unaware of the 4.5-6 inch spacing recommendation. One of my trains is an old steam locomotive from around 1947-48 and the other is an O-scale diesel I got a couple years ago.  With the older smaller train the spacing may not be a problem but I'll follow those guidelines anyway.  The benchwork is not going to cover the endire 12x14 area but only the a track layout as you have outlined in blue. It will be a duck under type setup. Walls only on 3 sides but I am still limited to the 12x14 area. The layout you provided is a good start and gives me a little more to work with. Thanks for your help.

DaleHardy posted:

Dave

Thanks for your response. I was unaware of the 4.5-6 inch spacing recommendation. One of my trains is an old steam locomotive from around 1947-48 and the other is an O-scale diesel I got a couple years ago.  With the older smaller train the spacing may not be a problem but I'll follow those guidelines anyway.  The benchwork is not going to cover the endire 12x14 area but only the a track layout as you have outlined in blue. It will be a duck under type setup. Walls only on 3 sides but I am still limited to the 12x14 area. The layout you provided is a good start and gives me a little more to work with. Thanks for your help.

Have you talked to Tim about their motorized lift bridge or considered a hinged bridge/gate or liftout ? Those duck unders get old pretty fast, especially for visitors.

Dale, I believe the 4.5” comes from the distance for some Atlas switches and the space between the tracks on their dual track truss bridge. The 6” comes from those who want to play it safe for large engines like the Big Boy and long passenger cars that both overhang curves more than average. There can also be some sway, particularly at higher speeds, so while 3,5” might work in yards, it might be too close elsewhere. Whatever you go with, the only thing of importance is that there is enough clearance for the equipment you plan to run. There’s always a belief that one won’t buy large equipment, but then end up wanting too at some point in the future.

Richie C. posted:
DaleHardy posted:

Dave

Thanks for your response. I was unaware of the 4.5-6 inch spacing recommendation. One of my trains is an old steam locomotive from around 1947-48 and the other is an O-scale diesel I got a couple years ago.  With the older smaller train the spacing may not be a problem but I'll follow those guidelines anyway.  The benchwork is not going to cover the endire 12x14 area but only the a track layout as you have outlined in blue. It will be a duck under type setup. Walls only on 3 sides but I am still limited to the 12x14 area. The layout you provided is a good start and gives me a little more to work with. Thanks for your help.

Have you talked to Tim about their motorized lift bridge or considered a hinged bridge/gate or liftout ? Those duck unders get old pretty fast, especially for visitors.

Richie

I have considered both of those options. Initially I may put in a hinged bridge and the motorized lift bridge down the road. It's a matter of affordability. The benchwork is about all I can afford currently. Thanks for your response.

Dale, a lift-out section doesn't have to be expensive. Using the photo I posted earlier, all you have to do is cut out a section of plywood for the platform (yellow). Then don't join the green tracks to the clear tracks on either end of the platform. Instead, attach some jumpers to the tracks on one end to supply power to the platform. The jumpers should include a quick disconnect like the one in the 2nd photo.

test3

Quick Disconnect
51lywcB1QsL._SL1000_

 

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DoubleDAZ posted:

Dale, a lift-out section doesn't have to be expensive. Using the photo I posted earlier, all you have to do is cut out a section of plywood for the platform (yellow). Then don't join the green tracks to the clear tracks on either end of the platform. Instead, attach some jumpers to the tracks on one end to supply power to the platform. The jumpers should include a quick disconnect like the one in the 2nd photo.

test3

Quick Disconnect
51lywcB1QsL._SL1000_

 

I used the Quick Disconnects and guide pins, the kind you see on dining room tables, on the lift out bridge I made to cross over the same type of “U” shaped layout. They are inexpensive and work quite well. 

Mike

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