Granite Gorge and Northern

Larry good luck with your projext. Thanks for posting looks very cool.

Hard to visualize the grades in 2D. I assume the double mains crossing the midsection are on a grade.

Dave,

Youtube has a nice suite of videos on this layout in HO.  Here is one of them.

Larry

Larry, That was a cool preview of what you are thinking about for your layout. Thank you for posting the video.

I agree, looks like it will be a nice layout. The photo just makes the incline look short.

Here is the Granite Gorge and Northern in RRT using Atlas O if I remember.  There are some slight modifications and additions.

Chris

Here is the bmp for those that don't have RRT.

Thanks for posting the rrt file. I like the changes you've made and the video sure helped me "see" that the grades work just fine. I assume the green track will be below grade for some hidden staging.

The idea for the green line was a subway scene but staging would also work.  If you are seriously thinking about this layout do a Google search.  There are many different variations, scenery ideas, pros and cons.  Many have built this layout, all HO of course.  This layout always fascinated me so I did this design to teach myself RRT.  My conclusion was an around the walls layout would be a better use of the space and the 4' reach to the center could be a problem.      

No, this is not for me, I just like to see what others are doing to get ideas. I even played with elevations, etc., to see how the 3D view looked.

Larry,

I look forward to seeing your progress.  Please keep us posted. 

Thanks,

Chris

Larry,

Any updates?

Chris

The GG&N was my favorite HO layout.   I built one with my dad back in 1973.

Atlas came out with an updated plan for it in there "33 O layouts" books when they introduced their then new Atlas O track.

I have been slowly working on it (my plate is pretty full these days).  I have most of the track that I need.  I have a few switches left to purchase.   Even though I had a couple of computer generated track plans (one in SCARM and one in Atlas' discontinued Right Track Software) I decided to not purchase all of the track at once.  I'm glad I did.  I found some ways to improve the track plan as I was laying the track.  Very minor changes, but something definitely worth noting to those who are in the track planning stages.  Word of advice - Don't get lost in the details.

The layout consist of 2 - 45" x 90" and 2 - 36" x 90" modules that are bolted together so that the seams make the letter H.  This will help in hiding the seam for the waterway (not sure if it will be a small harbor or a canal at this time).

I will also be using the Woodland Scenic Subterrain System so that the modules are light if they need to be moved.

One more note... In order to make the track plan work I had to modify the two 45 degree crossings.  I did that with a Zona saw.  I was able to cut all three rails at the same time which makes for a nice fitted cut.   

I will post some photos of it tonight.

Looking good Larry.  I can't wait to see how the Woodland Scenic Subterrain System works out.  The Streamliners at Spencer looks like a cool event.  To bad I'm not in NC.   Keep the updates coming.  As one of the previous reply's said this was my favorite HO layout.

Chris

Could you post your SCARM file? I like the layout and would like to try and modify to fit my space. 

Hi SeattleSUP,

I can't find the SCARM file I used.  Basically, I started with the two 45 degree crossings and went out (6) 10" pieces to the right of the right most 45.  All of the inner curves are O-54 and the couple of outer curves are O-63.  There is one O-72 curve in the top right hand corner (reference the drawing above).  All of the switches are O-54, except two O-36 LH on the right hand side that feed stub sidings.  If you are still interested in a drawing, let me know and I could draft one up for you. 

Larry