192x32" Switching layout

My opinion is that the approach you're seeking is exactly what the hobby should be:  An individual pursuit of an objective that brings personal satisfaction.  Others can express their personal opinions, of course, but all that matters in the long run is you doing what you want to do for your own enjoyment.

I think an Inglenook and/or a Timesaver could be a totally worthwhile layout, *if* you are really into the type of puzzle action they provide. (I certainly am!!)

The criticism of each is that they aren't necessarily realistic representations of actual railroad track plans (not entirely true in the case of the Inglenook), and, if included as part of a larger layout, may in fact inhibit the simulation of realistic railroad operations.

But regardless, if you're trying to get maximum switching action into the kind of space we're talking about here, whatever you come up with is going to be similar in some ways to an Inglenook or Timesaver... i.e. if you include both facing and trailing spurs you'll need a runaround loop, and because space is limited, spurs will only hold so many cars, etc.

So really it's just a question of degree, like with anything!

I think the DD40 could be totally satisfactory as the simulated long distance locomotive that might be delivering freight consists for switching and/or hauling off built-up trains for "points beyond."

Maybe you can even include a de-mountable staging track for this purpose?

Steve

Really enjoyed reading this thread. Thanks to all.

This is the most interesting thread I have read on the forum in a long time.  A new (to me) concept in hands on enjoyment of model trains.  One town operation which is just like what is done every day a few blocks from my home.  Am I too old to start something new?

Steve, Lady and Tex

The Timesaver can be a reasonable subject for a small layout and prototypical examples do exist. The Timesaver is made up of a track plan and rules designed to make the session challenging (such as limiting the number of cars on a siding.) Toss out the rules and focus on how the track plan can serve the industries it is there to support. The Timesaver is heavily compressed (compared to prototype track) and does not offer an interchange with a mainline.

Here is a counterpoint article from The Model Railways Shunting Puzzles Website. At the bottom of the webpage are two links to examples.

Was the Timesaver designed as a game? Yes. Can you enjoy a rowdy night of operations on a Timesaver? Yes. Can the Timesaver be integrated into a switching layout or into a larger layout? Yes!!!

RA,

To bring the Ross #4 turnout (14 degrees) back to parallel, you need to use the correct Ross curved section #'s TR435, TR440, or TR445. When you hover the mouse over the track sections, the information for the turnouts and curved sections will appear.

I think the toughest part coming up with what you want is the 12' of length, because it sounds like a lot, but it's really not. As I mentioned earlier, 3 40' cars plus an engine will take up 4'. Take that for each end and it only leaves 4' in the middle, so you have to make the end tracks about 2' at each end, and that gives you 8' in the middle to play with. There are many industries that are 1 and 2 car spots. It's just a matter of selecting your industries and then design a track plan around them. 

I used RR-track. The curves off the diverging turnouts are flex track bent to 11-degrees to fit a specific separation (3.5"). I don't know if/how SCARM handles flex track. In RR-track, you lay out the parallel tracks, then fit a "general curve" between the exposed ends. If the radius is too sharp, move the adjacent track's end back and try again.

One of the tricks to getting TimeSaver to look "right", you need four Wyes and one LH turnout. Note how the three on the left are laid-out back-back-back. This one is done all in 072, but there's no reason why it shouldn't work with larger radii.

If you're using Ross switches, you'll want their transition curves matched to the radii to get your tracks back to parallel.

Thanks Matt and Gilly.  I have it now regarding the runarounds.

I am going to do some designing and maybe post some ideas here.  Most, if not all will be similar to what is already here.  Hope to get some feedback.

Well I was just granted 16 feet instead of 12  Must have been my Valentines day dinner

Back to the drawing board...Ideas welcome.

I don't know if you have to follow any rules or standards or just build one for fun.  I was looking through one of those pocket book size Lionel "Model Railroading" from the 1950's and they had some drawings of switching track designs. 

I took photo's of the page and I like the track diagram #1 (top).  It looks very interesting incorporating a "Y" into the track plan.

Steve, Lady and Tex

Those are information packed books

Oh, you shouldn't have said that.

This one is a Free-Mo inspired variant on a plan I stumbled across a few years ago and stretched to 16 feet. It's designed using MTH ScaleTrax, but could easily be done using Ross turnouts with Gargraves flex track. It's 16'x3' with 32" ends for compatibility with a proposed O scale US Free-Mo standard.

This one is a straightened out version of an oval layout I had designed (and partially built). It's designed using ScaleTrax #4 and #6 turnouts. The gray structure at the top right is a dimensional stand-in for the Atlas Ice House and doc.

This one is an old design with the idea of a more realistic looking Timesaver. This was done with Atlas track and #5 turnouts. Here again, it could easily be done using Ross 11-degree turnouts and Gargraves or Ross track.

Matt,

All three look impressive

Thanks. The top one is the one most likely to actually get built. As much as I like the Free-Mo standard, it's not really practical for O scale unless you have access to a very large area. However, for switching modules, it poses a lot of interesting design challenges for something smaller to take to train shows or exhibits, or for one wall of the garage.

Amazing how things stay the same over time.

I agree Matt.  Very nice.  Better than what I have been coming up with.  The industry placements are very nice.

Some pix of the layout.  This thread was very helpful as were all who participated.  I want to keep it up to prove answering all my questions and getting all of your help was not for nothing.

As you can see I am going with the mid Sahara desert scenery   with random junk laying around in the sand.  Also note the Dollar Store blue swimming pool noodle cut to size as an end of track bumper until I can get mine built

Point is I was told to get something running which, was good advice.