The *New* Michigan & Great Lakes, switching layout design thread. - Updated 2/10/2015

The spur track at the auto parts factory is a long way from the edge of your benchwork, unless you have access through the closet. I'd also think a tall structure such as the grain elevator would limit the utility of that spur. It's also a long reach to your staging tracks. What is the height of the proposed layout?

I'd be inclined to make your runaround track longer, even if you have to modify the plan to do it.

I think the layout has a lot of potential. It looks tome like you have a good understanding of how to create interesting scenes with good viewing angles. 

Jeff C

Jeff

Thanks for the feedback.  I think I can make my passing siding longer without having to re-do too much.  As for the layout height I haven't decided yet.  The staging yard will be hard to reach but I do not plan to put trains on and off while they are in the yard.  I will assemble a train or two and park them in the staging yard before an operating session.  

As for the auto parts factory, I know its far away and I plan to use a magnet uncoupler back there.  With Kadees the issues of having a hard time coupling and uncoupling are pretty much fixed compared to lobster couplers.  

Thank you for the great feedback.  i will do some modifications in the next day or two and post them.   

I'd be tempted to cut back the straight track where your auto parts spur comes off the turnout, and maybe think about angling the spur to make it parallel to your passing track.

Looking forward to seeing the next iteration!

Jeff C

Looks like fun...question tho...is there enough room to get 2-3 cars and engine + tender out of the grain elevator area and onto the main back to the ferry area?

Looks like fun!

Peter

Jim,

I like the overall concept.  Having been in HO for 45 years and reading the HO press for that long, this type of layout has been ingrained into my head.  The only trouble is, I only like a little switching, and more running.  You have both, and that's good.  I agree with Jeff's ideas; I am always worried about a long reach and duck-unders/crawl-unders.  I will have to do something like you to get in my small room once the second daughter vacates.

Would it work better to have the grain elevator behind the passing siding, station and water tower, since it would be taller?

It's a good plan, and I am looking forward to following your progress.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this evolves--it's nice to see 2-R planning applied to a 3-R layout.

Jeff C

Do you have room to actually load a car onto a ferry?

I see what your proposing but the factory along the back will be just a building flat.  I really want room to have some scenery and my station in that spot.

I think the max will be 2 cars plus the engine/tender.  All I need to do is pull out two 40 foot box cars and push them onto one of the passing sidings.  Some might go right to the car ferry and some might go onto a made up train to another interchange "staging yard off the layout"

Again I am looking to have my station, scenery in that spot.   Yes I do think it will be a view blocker but I am modeling it loosely off some stations in Michigan that had grain elevators right by them. 

I see your point and I think I will eliminate the draw bridge at the top of the layout.  This would allow for a longer switching lead, and so I do not foul the main.  This would allow two person operations.  One working the yard/ferry and one servicing the elevator/automotive factory.

Thanks for the great feedback and keep it coming!  

How about switching the ferry with its storage tracks?  This ought to eliminate the jog in your continuous loop and give you more room for car storage and staging. 

Since you've introduced the concept of a removable module you ought to think of the ferry as a moveable module that can "sail away" out through the door.  With it :at sea" you'll have more and easier access to the ferry yard and staging tracks.

I do like what you have done.

Jan

Jim,

Yes if you are basing your station and grain silos off a particular place, then by all means do it as in your plan.

Here is a revision of the layout with some changes that everyone suggested.   What do you think?

I have also added a single stall engine house.

Jim,

I like it.  I see you did away with the continuous running lift out bridge option.

Mark

The "loop running" will be there.  I just have to re-add it in the new file.  

Jim,

An additional run-around track on the car ferry side of the layout might come in handy. Otherwise, you will always have to use the one next to the grain elevator and then back into the other side to service the sidings and ferry.

Being able to pull a train toward the ferry will make it seem that each side of the layout is a separate location connected by mainline running.

Jim

Okay!  That's good, because I thought that was something you originally wanted.

Here is a few ideas I have come up with to connect the two legs for loop running.  

Proposal 1) Pretty much my 1st idea.  Use a drop bridge that is hinged to one side of the layout.  When I wan to loop run I just pull up the drop bridge, lock it in place, set the turnouts and go.

Proposal 2)  I have a module at the end of the layout, that is on wheels and I can roll into place.  It connects to the two ends of the track.  No turnouts needed.   Just roll it into place and connect the power supply and let them run around and around.  Can have longer trains, cheaper in the long run.  Need to find wife friendly storage for the module when not in use.  

Definitely like proposal #2, as a curved bridge could lead to operating issues, especially with locomotives and rolling stock that get fussy with poorly aligned track. Instead of having to negotiate for more space, perhaps the module can be tucked under the layout when not in use?

-John

I tend to agree, the one issue is storage.  To store it under the layout I would have to figure out how to make it lower so it can roll under.