design me a layout

[wm3798]

I'm not that familiar with the prototype, so I don't know if it would be appropriate, but I like to have even a small engine terminal associated with the yard, if possible.  If nothing else, it gives you a place to display your hardware.

Also, I agree with John, from an operating perspective, you'll want to find a way to add some staging.  Race track style ops will be more interesting if the trains can enter and leave the layout, and that will provide for more variety in your schedule.  It'll also prevent your surface yard from getting clogged up with storage when you're trying to make up your local trains.

Lee

[asciibaron]

Also, I agree with John, from an operating perspective, you'll want to find a way to add some staging.

the 3 tracks are staging.  layout is 52" from the floor.  will probably add 2 stub ended tracks at the bottom for more staging/loco storage.

Add a crossover so that your eastbound trains can get into staging without so much tying up of the westbound main AND to reduce the headache of getting in and out.

this is done on purpose - forces the layout to slow down, just like the prototype.

we have a split foyer and that closet is on the landing - under it is storage - can't be used. 

-Steve - heading to Hagerstown

[seusscaboose]

Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish, and he'll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Just start laying track... something will come to you.
Peruse your various resources for proto scenes you want to include, figure out where they'll fit best with the least amount of compression, then simply connect the dots with flex track.

Lee

   Steve does NOTHING without a trackplan.... laying track for inspiration is balsphameous to him   just look in my basement!   

FWIW Lee, you and I are in the same camp....

[seusscaboose]

Hold on... does this mean you are staying in N Scale?

has something changed?

you CONFUSE me sometimes

I say you go HO and come over to me or John's house and run N...

i will even build you industrial sidings......and let you run 1967 all day long

Lemme konw when you need to build the wall and redecorate and i will bring my sledge hammer

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I disagree with Lee about engine terminals.

I think they take up space that is otherwise useful, and unless operationally useful, just end up being "dead space".

Besides, they look goofy next to a 3 track yard.

[3rdrail]

I disagree with Lee about engine terminals.

I think they take up space that is otherwise useful, and unless operationally useful, just end up being "dead space".

Besides, they look goofy next to a 3 track yard.

Oh, really. Then the AN's engine terminal, which consists of a two track enginehouse and two fuel tracks, next to a three track yard, on which three blocks for CSXT are built, must look goofy to you. There is another yard, on the other side of "The Quarters", for empty storage and inbound wood when the mill was still here.

[asciibaron]

there are a few kinks to work out in the plan, but overall, i'm pleased - i wish i could have a bit longer mainline run, but i don't want to take away aisle space.  an operator can stand in the doorway next to the Coshocton Grain Co. facility and run a through freight if needed, but mostly the layout was designed to be operated by a single person (me) and a second person (my son).  if Eric or Ed want to come over and operate, they have to bring beer.  there is no Rule G on my railroad - damn the insurance premiums!

Coshocton had a 3 or 4 track "yard" at one point and there were locos assigned there, but they were serviced out of Dennison, 33 miles to the east.  basically this job worked the various industries at the north end of town where an old branch had left the main on a wye.  the branch became the yard and a siding across the wye served as the loco storage track.

still looking for suggestions

-Steve

[wm3798]

If you have a yard, you need at least a fuel rack and a small engine house.



Lee

[asciibaron]

If you have a yard, you need at least a fuel rack and a small engine house.

did you not read my second paragraph above your post?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Besides, they look goofy next to a 3 track yard.

Oh, really. Then the AN's engine terminal, which consists of a two track enginehouse and two fuel tracks, next to a three track yard, on which three blocks for CSXT are built, must look goofy to you. There is another yard, on the other side of "The Quarters", for empty storage and inbound wood when the mill was still here.

Sorry, I should've been more explicit in my explanation. I was in the middle of a meeting.

I do still think that'd look goofy, but it makes sense in that context. However, many modelers are actually trying to "fake" a big yard with something much smaller, and with much less volume.

If you have a yard where no train terminates, no train terminates, and isn't a power change point, then having an engine facility doesn't make much sense. What servicing would have to happen there?

Even ones that do have these features don't usually have an engine servicing facility. Take Dillersville in Lancaster PA for example. It has a number of locals that work out of there, and the cars for those locals get aggregated back together and transfered to Enola. There is power that lays over in the yard, but the power just lays over on a track or two, not in a real "facility". There may be a road alongside for a fuel truck to pull up on, but there are no sanding towers, no pits, nothing of the sort.

I believe this is more like what Steve's looking to do.

My response was also part of my general "less cutesy, more real" agenda.

[wm3798]

Sorry... I keep forgetting that I model a railroad that actually took care of its equipment... ;D

As far as I recall, the only "yard" that lacked a service track on the WM was Leahigh, near Pikesville.  It was basically a wide spot in the road where trains were held coming and going from Port Covington, and some switching was done to block locals and freight going to the East Sub or the Dutch Line.

Lee

[asciibaron]

Sorry... I keep forgetting that I model a railroad that actually took care of its equipment... ;D

i model a real railroad, not some Podunk alternate routing of 2nd rate freight line that didn't last more than 75 years once it had connections to the west (if you can call Connellsville the west) 

the Panhandle saw more traffic in 1967 than the WM ever saw, ever 

[wm3798]

But didn't look nearly as good doing it!

Lee

[asciibaron]

But didn't look nearly as good doing it!

i won't make comment on those who think image is better than substance....  you do live in PRR country you know, they hauled the freight, the WM lost the money.

-Steve

[Iain]

PRR had Image and Substance  .