New Atlas-O extended O54 version. O60/O54 revision (plus other features) to the 12x12 Ideal Layout, Re-Imagined Plan

Wow! That's a lot of action in a 12' x 12' space.

George

Another masterpiece, Ken

I was interested to see if I could make two improvements:  1)  An outside loop of minimum O60 Fastrack, to accomodate O54 locomotives and equipment.  2)  To remove all O36 (and the O42-compound).  

This is how it turnout out:  The main drawback is the choke-point in the aisle of 20".  But the operator space was enlarged, and the yard tracks lengthened a small amount.

I saw an opportunity for another improvement:  I pulled the passing track around toward the bridge, and moved the yard inside.  I was able to make the approach to the yard from the right, all O60, and the turnouts are O60, and the yard curvature is O60, so O54 locos can reach into the yard.

Switching the yard looks like fun, the yard tracks are longer, the long passing track around the yard allows one to park a train and take it apart, and drill cuts down into the yard.   There is a bit of a yard lead for switching.  And there is even a wye track located conveniently close to the yard lead!   The operator can get to both ends of a train on the passing track.  Pretty good!

The "operator well" is enlarged again, comfortable for two, perhaps three operators.  The "newer" 3rd continuous loop is now a good bit bigger.  The mainline route reverse-loop to reverse-loop is now a good bit longer, and more interesting to see trains run past the yard.

All other features previously mentioned are preserved.  I will probably add one more industry turnout and spur in the upper right loop.

"Switching the yard looks like fun, the yard tracks are longer, the long passing track around the yard allows one to park a train and take it apart, and drill cuts down into the yard.   There is a bit of a yard lead for switching.  And there is even a wye track located conveniently close to the yard lead! "

Just noticed how you have that arranged, including the wye. That looks like fun! You can use the wye as a run-around. Wow, the possibilities!

George

After revising the top reverse loop with more industry and Lionel's Gravel Run Quarry train set.

Overall, substantial improvements and enhancements to the "Re-Imagined" Plan!

Thanks for posting this.  While it doesn't exactly fit my space (what does?), it gives me some ideas for configuration for revising my setup.

You are welcome! 

If you or anyone else sees an opportunity to add more improvements to this plan, I am interested!

Ken

It be nice if the yard was double-tracked, so that you could still run the outer loop with the reverse loops. Might be convenient when the bridge is off to still be able to run all three trains.

Good idea Burkus, I had not thought of that!  I did realize that using the yard precludes the outer reverse-loop to reverse-loop route. 

I have thought through the idea, and it looks like it can work.   Stay tuned, I will share how it works out.  

Here is a solution.  I am pausing to think, the trade-off I am not happy with, is the access to the yard from the O60 outside route.

@Ken-Oscale posted:

After revising the top reverse loop with more industry and Lionel's Gravel Run Quarry train set.

Overall, substantial improvements and enhancements to the "Re-Imagined" Plan!

 

Hi Ken,

How are you planning to address the upper level elevation change by the cattle pen? It looks like the spur track is pretty close to the lower level loop. Would that need to have a retaining wall for the elevation change? I expect the elevation difference between the upper and lower level is 7" to 8" to allow for clearance.

George

@George S posted:

Hi Ken,

How are you planning to address the upper level elevation change by the cattle pen? It looks like the spur track is pretty close to the lower level loop. Would that need to have a retaining wall for the elevation change? I expect the elevation difference between the upper and lower level is 7" to 8" to allow for clearance.

George

Yes, I see that as well, but I will work on those kind of clearance issues after I figure out if I can restore O60 access to the yard.

A version that retains the O60 approach to the yard (now from the left, not the right) and all other previous features.   Lots of re-alignment, and some roadbed trimming to eliminate the 1-3/8 fitters.  Roughed-in, more clean-up needed.

Better alignment at the inner loop cutoff.  Still cleanup needed.

Nice track plan. I see the ability to have trains running independently on 3 loops? One elevated, one at the bottom of the plan going through the tunnel, and one all the way around the outside. Also ample opportunities for switching. Very well done. I assume some of the clean up will be those sidings fouling the main line.

What is the software you use?

After more clean-up.   There is now an all O60 return loop, allowing O54 trains to reverse direction (one way).  O54 trains can reach into the top three spurs off the upper loop.   If a couple cars are used to "reach in", O54 trains can pull a cut from the quarry spurs.

I have colored the O48 limited track sections with a light grey, to better highlight where O54 locos can go (everything brown):

Very nicely done!

Ken, you are a wizard at this stuff!

Peter