New layout progress (Some scenery)

Norm,

 

Excellent progress on your layout and excellent choice of turntable. I have the 34" and it has been trouble-free since day one. I enjoy reading your updates - keep them coming!

 

Regarding Dennis's question:

"The reason I ask is I am designing a new layout and using atlas 099 -090 curves and am keeping a 4 1/2 inch distance between them. But I am wondering if that will be enough for engines like the scale big boy, cab forward, etc"

 

I used Atlas Ø108 and Ø99 for my dual main and kept them at a constant 4-1/2" spacing. With my MTH Premier Big Boy on the inner curve (Ø99), I can run almost everything I have running on the outer Ø108 curve, but just barely in some cases.

 

The only exception is my MTH Premier DDA40X - I cannot run it on the outer curve with the Big Boy on the inner curve. The combination of the chord the DDA40X creates is too much for the Big Boy overhang.

 

Alex

More excellent progress, your work is exceptional.

Norm,

 

Great progress on the layout. Looking forward to all the videos of the turntable in action. Enjoy!

Guys, thanks. I got the basic benchwork up then had to hit the road on Sunday for a work trip.

 

Right now I am playing around with a couple options for the connection to the mains. I decided I really didn't like connecting in right outside the curve so I made up one option for a connection into a passing siding. This gives me a bit of room to move engines with a lesser chance of fouling the main.

 

 

The other thought was to have a sort of interchange track go into a tunnel beneath those two houses I planted on that hill. I think a tunnel into that hill would look nice once scenicked up. The track would dead-end about 80"into the utility room. I am just afraid the whole idea is a bit hokey, using this track for two purposes (interchange/engine yard connection). Hmmm... 

 

Any thoughts, criticisms? I am feeling a bit stuck on this one. I want it to look just right but I am finding I have limited options here...

 

Both of these ideas keep the TT/RH on a centerline that keeps the front edge of layout flat for 29'. I like the idea of a straight, clean front edge to walk/view along. These also allow for a shorter distance to be covered by engines running light off the inner main (coming in at the GB Jct. xover) compared to my earlier plans.

nice work.....keep us posted...Tom

Looking fantastic.

Very nice Norm.  You may be able to stream line some of the spurs and add storage track using a three way switch.

I like the plan better with the lead off the siding and no interchange track. That's just me. I might even put in a crossover from the main to the siding closer to the engine service switch, that way the engines don't have to go all the way to the north end of the siding to get in.

Mike, thanks but I am not a real big fan of complicated switches. I think I can pull this off with #5s. I worked on another variation that includes both of my half-baked ideas from above. I worry that might end up looking a little too busy though...?

 

Norm, your stub from switch #4 is a good idea, but why not just carry the lead from the roundhouse directly to it.  Then use your switches #4 and 5 as a crossover back to your main.  That way you do not have to foul the main any time you want to run a loco onto the stub track.  

Norm, amazing progress as always.  You might want to rethink the route thru switches 1-4-5 to see if you can eliminate the zig-zags there.  Looks like it could be awkward and potentially troublesome for the more finicky locomotive on the roster.  You're essentially taking locomotives (already coming out of a curve) off to the right at #1... Then bringing them back left more than typically desired... only to bring them back right again at #5.  Not sure if you like curve turnouts on the mainline, but the trackwork there is almost begging for a curved turnout rather then the RH #1.   Something to think about.

 

David

Thanks for the input Peter, David. I played around with moving the xover (switches 4-6) to the other side of the curves at the front of the layout. This starts to put things a bit further into the layout. Not even sure I really need that xover.

 

This setup still gives better access off the inner main via switch 10 to the TT/RH and it still helps to isolate the TT lead a bit from the outer main.

 

 

Not to complicate matters but how will you build trains on the inner main w/o fouling the inner main with trains occupying the tracks between switches 2 and 8 and 1 and 9? Is it possible to flip those ladder tracks to the opposite side of the outer main utilizing them entirely for building trains w/o cobbling up the mains? It looks as if you need more ladder tracks between the outer main and RH/TT area. 

Steve, I'm not using those tracks to make up trains. They are there to pose up cars or maybe even short trains. I thought it looked better than my original idea of a couple spurs with small industries. I'm not doing much for operational realism here, I just want things to look cool.

Norm you got the momentum going full bore! Really enjoy the updates

Steve

I, too, am thoroughly enjoying the frequent updates, Norm!  I especially like learning about and understanding the thought process that goes into determining the track plan and routing.  Thanks for sharing that concept-to-execution line of thinking with us.

 

Keep up the good work, my friend!  

Hi Norm,

 

How about an update on your layout progress!!!

 

 

Thanks,

Alex

Could be that Norm's been too busy shoveling and plowing snow in recent weeks to be spending much time building the railroad.  If I'm not mistaken, the winter up in Michigan has been as lousy as the one here in Ohio (and it ain't over yet).

Hi Allan,

 

I can totally understand that, we've had the worst winter I think in 15 to 20 years

I guess we are all in the same boat. lol

 

Thanks,

Alex

Hmm, well it's funny you ask there Alex! I ripped down about 80% of the layout as I really couldn't stand it. After getting the TT section lined up, I found that I just didn't like the way the layout occupied the space allocated for it. It was a real mess. No good sight lines, no good opportunities to be up close with the trains, and working on it really stunk due to some access issues.

 

So...it's back to the loops for me with TT/RH out on the 'L' extension. I am currently laying track today and this weekend to support the new effort. Basically, it will be a bigger version of my old layout I guess.

A new layout !! I was getting tired of following this one anyway..LOL Can't wait to see what's next...Us train guys are still in search of the perfect layout...do they make one ??????????????

Norm,

 

I can totally relate to where you're coming from, when I started my layout in 2004

I must have changed things around at least two or three times before I was happy .

 

Looking forward to seeing what you will create next, I'm sure it's going to be awesome

 

Thanks for the update,

Alex

 

Man, that's a gutsy move!  I greatly admire those who won't just settle for "almost okay" and who decide to forge ahead with determination to get precisely what is wanted.

 

That may not be all that bad!!!! I really liked the old one!!!

While looking for something else I found a video of your old layout on youtube....still nice work.

Good for you Norm, no need to continue forward if you are not happy with it...better to see it now instead of later.  Keep us posted on your progress.

Just build the next one with greater flexibility and hopefully you won't have to start from scratch.  I think we have all been there at one time or another.

Norm,

 

Any update on your layout?

 

Thanks!

Yes I am still at it and have been meaning to post. I am just really busy with other things lately. After trying to build the RH/TT on a peninsula I found that I really didn't like the way the layout occupied the space I set up for it. It just seemed too choppy. When I couldn't really resolve the TT/RH approach track I decided to go back to my platforms and loops. I can run trains now and have got a bit of scenery started:

 

 

Looking good Norm. 

Beautiful, Norm.

 

Peter

Looks Good. Will you have the RH/TT set up as you did on your last layout? Do you have a track plan.

Norm,

 

Looking great!!!!!!!

 

 

Alex

Always been a fan of your work......looking forward to seeing more....

coming along nicely, any chance of posting a video??

Steve

Thanks guys, here is the current working trackplan with an alternate. I am still a bit undecided on the front yard and inner line connecting up to the city area with the inner O81 curve. Not much I will do about for a while anyway as I can't seem to buy Atlas RH #5s right now. I am working the scenery from the back to the front of the layout so I still have some time. The alternate plan gives me a more defined yard at the front of layout and I could put a tower at the left (north) end of it. I also attached a quick shot looking south, sorry for the quality, lighting isn't fully set up yet.

 

Wow, quite a change in design!

Looking fantastic Norm!  How does this track plan compare to your previous layout?

 

Alan

Looks great! I really like the all important space planned for the beer fridge too.

Alan, it's pretty much the same only bigger. I will have room for more industries and I get to stretch out the engine terminal area. Here's the old plan:

 

 

Norm - It is looking good and I agree that it takes a lot of commitment to stop a plan and regroup after you have started.  You will not regret that decision.  Nice job.

 

Art