Help With Track Design

Well, here's what keeping everything at 0 elevation would look like. It would require that the 15' center table be 34"-36"

Just putting it out there...

Carl,

i think it looks better.

Carl,

i will ill be using 10" straights.

thanks for your help!

Paul

Let's you run a longer train without it hitting it's caboose.

ok, I'll put the 10"s in and get the elevation points on those. Won't change the grade. Just provide heights at the track joints.

 "a track design for my new layout"

    For a layout that large I'd try to get at least one route with O-42 or larger curves so you can run larger equipment if you ever want to. You could make an outer O-42 loop and an inner O-31 perhaps with a cross over connection then run the trolley and smaller locos on the inner loop and larger stuff on the outer. A few spur tracks could give some switching or car storage  potential......DaveB

Paul,

ok, 10"s everywhere. One more item...the switch at the top of the grades. I was thinking of two options:

Option 1

moving it past the junction to the left, over the tunnel. That would have it supported on the elevated deck.

But, two concerns

1. Coming from the outside loop and switching in top the start of the r-loop it would be a wiggle and then a turn.

2. Difficult to make a bridge for the two tracks coming together.

Option 2

Move it one straight towards the door. Then, build something like a butte for it to sit on at 6.5"

This wouldn't affect the grade much and leave a single straight for a bridge crossing over the junction. Most of the train would be straight and then enter the first turn for the r-loop. ( now a balloon)

What did you have in mind for supporting that switch?

The 3D with the 10"s attached.

Carl,

i'll build a butte to support the switch.  I am going to start experimenting with some track to see how it looks.  I'll report on my progress.

thanks again,

Paul

Paul,

Ok, I moved the switch towards the door 1 straight. Ready for butte, slope adjusted. Here are some zoomed views of the plan in pdf. You can get the elevation heights.