New Layout Started!

Grades are nice but care must be taken when you want a more scale like appearance.  That said, along the right side the double track could be raised.  It's the only place I see where switch tracks don't box you in too much.   

I have to agree with Dan as to the location of a grade on your layout, you can well have some of the sidings elevated. I would say that if you want to add a grade that you will want to limit it to 1- 1 1/2 percent, much more will create problems. That said the grade will add interest to the contour of the track plan.

Ray

Tim, sorry but I missed your layout posting in the Layout Design section. The overall layout looks good and the curved benchwork edge is fantastic. I would elevate some of the track to add operating and scenic interest. Be sure to incorporate vertical easements at both ends of the grade.

Your double ended yard should work great. I recommend you use matching MTH flex track for it. With some cork roadbed and detailing it will look the same as the SHS sectional track. I feel the stub yard tracks are too short for any meaningful storage or switching. Were it my layout I would move the entry turnout to the back wall area to create a long yard lead independent of the inner main line. This will allow for assembling trains without fouling the main line.

You did not mention how you will operate the layout. Conventional/FlyerChief or Legacy. For conventional operation track blocks will be necessary for independent train control, be sure to get all the insulated rail joiners in place. For Legacy operation I would recommend 3 power districts. The outer main line, the inner main line and then the two yard areas. The power districts can be subdivided into multiple blocks if desired.

I do not see any uncouplers in the track plan. Now is the time to think about how you want to operate the layout and strategically place them. Same for operating car track sections if you plan to use any.

This looks like a great new layout in construction, please keep posting the progress.

Tim, I too am sorry I missed your layout design.  I do like your plan and agree with those who have already commented on where to put a grade.

I want to compliment you on your great looking benchwork.  The curved edges are fantastic.  I'll follow along and see how you do.

Tim, just for future reference I am posting an example of integrating the sectional and flex track from SHS/MTH. I am including a picture of two pieces of sectional track prior to detailing then an example of the finished product. I had professional help, my artistic skills are nowhere near this good.

That is a beautiful job on the benchwork and curves. Instead of a grade, I think the layout would be much more spectacular if you elevate the entire inner loop (including sidings) and keep it level. I know it would be a lot of work but, in the long run, I think it would be worth the effort.

MELGAR

Thanks for all the replies - between work, continuing to move and finally getting the old house on the market it has been a busy few days.  

In general I'm thinking along the lines of what Mark suggested except I am actually considering raising the inner loop to add vertical interest.  The train on the outer loop would could then appear/disappear as it goes along.  That would also allow me to make the sidings/brewery area on the left longer.  The center of the photo would be at 2 1/2" so the elevation change in the 10-12' available on either side would be 2 1/2" +/- both up and down.  I'd have to move the yard towards the walls in the righthand corner.  Still thinking.  

Off to work and thanks again.

Tim

HI,  An iPhone photo update.  I've made a few custom sections and started wondering where to place my operating accessories.  Decided the through yard will be only three tracks - with modified Gilbert switches - and will live with the short leads.  I'll probably modify a pair of S helper switches to gain a little more room around the passing siding in the back left corner.

Looks good. A nice selection of operating accessories.

Very nice job on the switches. Looks like a great running layout, have you decided on any grades?

Ray

HI  Thanks Ray.  I cut them way back and had set up a one into two, kinda a poor-mans 4-way, but would have had to squeeze too much track into the space.  It is already a bit of a spaghetti bowl.

I will definitely add some small elevations changes but am still pondering going up and over the outside main with the inside.  We'll see.

Tim

I like Mark's take as well. I would just raise the outer loop and for visual interest, build a mountain in the far right corner that the track passes through and onto a small bridge on the back wall before going downhill along the back left and left side.

Tim,

I like your layout allot, it is shaped very much like mine.  I am late to the party, but this link should take you to some photos of how I did my grades:  http://sgaugers.org/CD/CD_mem.html

Good luck, and you are making great progress.

Aflyer

HI,  The layout probably looks familiar because I used your track plan for inspiration!  I found it somewhere and was never able to track down the original designer.  I'm glad you replied, I've wanted to say thanks for quite a while now.

Tim

Tim, that is pretty funny, because that track plan was done for me by a member of the forum.  I just tried to find his name, to give him credit.

I haven't found him yet, but I will keep looking.

The fellow that suggested your outer loop having elevation has a great point.  It just makes things more interesting when you are running.

George

Hi,  Took the plunge and followed Mark's lead and modified two S Helper switches for a passing siding.  Kept the sparky bits intact as well.This video will give you an idea of what I'm working on.  Tried some elevation changes, more to come.  Any comments?

Thanks,

Tim

I'm looking at doing something kind of similar, but on a 12x4 layout. The idea of an elevated section along the back wall is appealing. Looking good so far!

Tim,

I think that elevation looks great. I can't tell for sure, is it a 1" lift or 2"?

Whichever it is I really like it.  I used the woodland scenics inclines to do a small incline in one of my hidden loops, and think they are very helpful.  Is that the same ones you have?

Lookin good,

Aflyer

HI,

Using the WS 2% risers.  Just at 1" lift at the moment, thinking 1 1/2- 2" on the outside, 1/2" for part of the inside so the through yard sits lower.  Given the space, i'll probably only run 6-10 car trains.  I may even use flex track or eventually 'bury' the built in roadbed.

Tim

Tim, I think it looks real good!

Hi All,

I'm starting to think about wiring, pretty happy with the track plan so far.  I have conventional, FlyerChief and Legacy locomotives.  How many blocks should I aim for?  Inside loop, outside loop, - how many each? All sidings and yard tracks?  Rely on the two train switch in the switches?  Anyone have advice/experience insulating S Helper track?

Thanks

TIm

Use the plastic connectors sold.  I divided loops into blocks between switches and isolated all sidings - stub or run through.  Every block or siding had its own fast-blow 7A fuse, voltmeter rotary switch position, and 3-mode toggle switch for on-off-trickle.  Trickle passed through a 709 Lockout Eliminator (ceramic 10 ohm resistor) so pw conventional engines could be paused without triggering their reverse unit.  Was all S-trax and configured for conventional via Cab remotes, Legacy/TMCC, DCC, and  LocoMatic.  Yours is coming along nicely.  Thanks for the updates.  

I still recommend three power districts as described in my reply above. Each PD would be a separate power supply or transformer handle. Blocks within the PD's are up to you. Were it my layout I would make each passenger station track a separate block, the feeder track from the mainline to the stub end freight yard a block and each of the stub end sidings a block. There appears to be a long interchange track between the inner and outer loops, make that a block. If you have any parallel passing tracks on the loops make them separate blocks, I only see one. I am using the term "block" to indicate an on-off switchable segment. The other segments of track can be powered from the PD source without an on-off switch.

Make sure you have a block to park your FlyerChief engines when you are not using them. They get really annoying sitting on a powered track beeping while waiting to pair up with their controller. Similar with your conventional engines while you are running FlyerChief or Legacy, you need a dead track for them.

I would use the Legacy controller to run the Conventional engines as well as the Legacy engines. That gives you walk around control and you will not need access to the transformers so they can be mounted out of sight if desired.

Do not rely on the Gilbert 2-Train switch for a permanent layout, put in insulated track joints. Fiber pins work for Gilbert track, MTH makes insulated rail joiners for the SHS/MTH sectional track. Since your have no reverse loops and your track plan is not "complex" the layout should work fine with the Legacy signal on just one rail so no need to install the small coupling capacitors. You can then also just put the gaps in one rail for the PD's and blocks rather than both rails.

I do not see any uncouplers in the track, I think in the long term you will want them. Best to put them in now. from a quick scan of your pictures I see 12 places I would put an uncoupler. You also need operating car track sections for some of the accessories. Any plans for trackside controllers such as semaphores or signal bridges? Will you want them to auto stop the trains or just indicate status?

How do you plan to control the layout, conventional controllers or LCS? If conventional controls where do you plan to locate them?

Dave posted his reply while I was typing mine. Consistent with what I said but he has some additional items.

HI,  Thanks for the input!  The advice is much appreciated.   Two or three power districts make sense to me - Inner, outer and yard.  I'll probably further block each loop and each of the sidings.  The SHS track is great - I only have one power feed for the entire layout and trains will run around both the inner and out loop with no problem!

I toyed with the idea of reverse loop to reverse loop for the inner track and will probably revisit that thought as  it would be nice to give any individual train the option of going both directions.  On the other hand, the current plan is relatively simple and can easily handle two or three trains.  I figure two on the outside, maybe even setting up an automatic meet using the passing siding, then one parked in the yard with another puttering around the inner loop.

 I need to track down some of the plastic insulators.

I have 5 SHS uncouplers and am looking at modifying some AF uncouplers/SHS track sections for more.

I did modify a SHS section for my stockyard and have a couple of SHS operating sections to add in. Still working  out where all my accessories will live.

I do have some semaphores to think about.

Still plenty to consider but it is starting to come together.

Thanks

TIm

Oh my, it's been nearly three years since I updated this!  I did add reverse loops and have been wiring lights, switches etc recently.  Things are a bit torn up at the moment but here are a couple of photos of my new oil business.  The green tanks were a gift - didn't fit on my buddy's layout any more, the rest is built with leftover parts and sprues from a couple of large scale Tamiya Porsche models.  I'll take some more photos of my progress soon.

Tim, I love it. Please continue to post updates with photos.

Tim, Your layout is looking great.  I would say you have dome amazing work over the last three years.

It tells me I need to get my but in gear and start working more on the layout.  We have completely different track plans, but the basic layout shape is the same.  Looking forward to seeing more pictures.

Aflyer

That is a very nice track plan. Whose TT are you using and what size?

Tim, the layout section you posted looks great!  We will look forward to seeing what else you are doing.

Well done!

Peter

I know, you are supposed to put up the shelving and backdrops before the track goes down.  but...

Anyhoo, my friend Rod has a sign business and offered to print some back drops for me.  I grew up in Ennis MT and visited a couple fo years ago - wanted to show the kids where I started.  One side is the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone, the other is the Madison Valley from the hills west of Ennis.  I think it adds a lot. Also coincidentally found some matching shelving that Rod picked up for me and dropped off Friday.  Here's the before and after.  Now to work on the right side of the layout.

The backdrops look very nice!

I just ran thru the thread looking at the progression, start to now.

Great work. Horse shoe layouts rule.

I'm jealous......lol

Hey it's nice that somebody is doing something in S.  Not that the manufacturers are.  Looks very good, hope to see more.

Good job.  Looks terrific and like a lot of fun.  Did you make custom S-trax sections?  

I made several custom pieces including modifying switches to get closer track spacings.  You can see photos earlier in this thread.  Did one passing siding and a three-track through yard.

@Timpix posted:

I made several custom pieces including modifying switches to get closer track spacings.  You can see photos earlier in this thread.  Did one passing siding and a three-track through yard.

Tim,

You have done an amazing job.  I kick myself for not doing backdrops early on, but I have so little room for them, I couldn't find much available at the time.  I added this photo, because we both have an Airplane hanging above the layout.  Mine is an old American Flyer u-line control.

Now I just need to get back in the train room and do some more work.

George