Variations on a two-mine Atlas-O Layout Design in 5X9

With connecting RR O-72 turnouts to the left and right.   These connections can be used to expand the layout to the left or right, or connect with an existing layout.   Or, just as is, they give the impression that this mine layout is a branch connected to a larger railroad.

A BTS coal tipple with Atlas track.  A Drift mine with a fair amount of hillside detail.  Area pictured is 7'6" X 5'

Building, picture center, is a power plant, for the mine, part of the kit. Most detail shown is part of the kit.  You have to build the hillside, retention walls are part of the kit.

Yet another clever plan from this poster, Ken you should write a book about design, I would buy it.  The use of easements should be something we all consider.  I know if I build something again that will be a serious consideration for me.  

Thanks NECRAILS, I will have to give that idea (a book) some thought.   I certainly have a suite of plans to look at to fill a book. 

-Ken

Originally posted by Ken-Oscale:

The run up to the mines is O-36 with some easements.   The line runs through the tunnels and starts a 1% grade,
 climbing through the turnout serving the first mine at 1/2" elevation.   The run continues at 3% up to the
mountain-top mine, which is at 5" in elevation.

Isn't 5 " a little tight in O scale for clearence.. Clarence?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzqdDoe8FoM

You might want to pull a John Armstrong and drop by an inch the 3 tracks through the tunnel.

A slight improvement:  there is room to add more O-81 to the gradual indent at the top of the plan.   For the outside main, that entire gentle 'S' is all O-81 with straights between.   Trains will look nice on those curves!

Naturally, some may prefer a 2nd #5 cross-over between the mains:

HorseShoe:  I have measured my locos.   Perhaps mine are shorter than yours .   5 inches allows room for the track and roadbed at the floor of the tunnel, plus the height of locos, plus the support above the tunnel:   

• 1/2" inch for the track and roadbed inside the tunnel
• plus 1/4" for the tunnel ceiling support
• leaves 4 1/4" for the height of the trains.   

My trains seem to measure 3 1/2 inches tall or so.    The Lionel 6-12755 Elevated Trestle Set measures 5" tall.

From the first mine turnout at 1/2" elevation there are 12 feet to the hilltop mine to make the grade.

• At 3% the hilltop mine is 5"
• At 3.5% the hilltop mine is at 5.75"
• At 4% the hilltop mine is at 6.5"

 So this plan has evolved to have options for the builder and operator to choose from: 

• two route variations (gentle indent, OR, 2nd #5 crossover)
• with or without the connecting railroad O-72 turnouts (at the bottom)
• and three grade and elevation variations (as above)

Ken

Can you fit Atlas-O curved switches for the additional crossover? (On the right end.)

CTR, doesn't look like an O72/O54 curved turnout will fit.  Looks like much of the outer main curve would need to be distorted, and other changes and modifications.   The O72 turnout is 1 and a half  of the 22.5 degree O72 curve, and the angle is offset with the connection to the inner main.

Thanks Mike, for your pictures of your mine project.   Very nice, and gives me ideas for detailing the mine scenes.  -Ken

This grade variation, reduces the grade of the sidings leading to the hilltop mine; from the turnout up.   This grade on the sidings is 2%, which makes the grade from the mid-mine turnout up to the hilltop sidings a 4% grade.   For cars parked on the sidings, it is desirable that the grade here be small so that cars don't begin to roll down the hill.   4% is getting a bit steep in my opinion, but perhaps worth it for the smaller grade on the sidings.   Trains will be short on this 5'X9' anyway, so the 4% should not be a problem pushing a cut of empty hoppers up the grade to the mine.

The hilltop mine is level at 5.5" in elevation.

Here is the grade profile for the above grade variation:

The steep 4% grade section of O-36 curves is bracketed by gradient easements of 2% and 2%, so the grade transition is moderate.

The 4% and 2% grades can be made using Woodland Scenics foam risers and inclines.   

I eventually had 3.8% grades on another part of the layout.  The idea was to get about 7.5" for tunnels.  The curves were a large part of the grades, allowed for 12' to 16' of run on a relatively small layout. 

Camera walk around

Very nice, great layout!  If you happen to have an overall picture or a track diagrams, I would love to see it!

Old Atlas track software.  

Original layout.   About 12' X 12' 

First addition, added turntable and roundhouse.  Layout moves into the next room.

The last addition across a doorway for the coal tipple.

Drop-in Atlas Pratt Truss Bridge.

Very nice layout, thanks for the pics and the track plan.

Mike, I particularly like the first photo above, that shows the junction with two crossing and complex trackwork.   That is very well done, really great!

Thank you.   It took some time to custom fit a few pieces between the two crosses.  One cross is 45 degree the other 60 degree.   Eventually all switches have non-derail wiring and power routing via Atlas 6924 relay boards.  I also added Atlas 6931 dwarf lights. 

Custom cutting and fitting.  I purchased several Atlas (6057) ,  end track pieces, to complete custom cuts.  Click on the underlined phrase to link Atlas part.

Adjustment with a bench grinder.  Cutting done with a hacksaw, 32 teeth per inch, and a small band saw that had a custom, metal cutting, blade. 

6931 dwarf lights.

6924 non-derail/power routing  relay boards.

I guess we both get-up early in the morning.   Farm heritage, here, never could get away from that early morning stuff.       Mike CT.  Best wishes with your layout.