Next Challenge... Big Pool to Cherry Run

[wm3798]

There are only two scheduled trains on the Thomas Sub, an East Local (Elkins to Hagerstown...{actually Ridgely}) and a West Local (vice versa).  Everything else would be either an Elkins transfer, or a coal extra dispatched either from Elkins or Bayard,.... which does point up a potential problem...

You've got Bayard tying in to the roundy cutoff, where it should really come off the line to Elkins, where it can utilize the B&O double track as a run around.  The roundy cut off should be just that....

Something like this perhaps.


I'm really not convinced that a narrow representation of Elkins would cause death and destruction if it is placed in front of Hagerstown.  I really want to add some switching opportunities along the Thos. Sub, plus, I don't want the removable bit in front of the window to be terribly complex.  (The current yard module crosses this area now, but all the track cuts are on straights.  It is semi permanently installed, too, as would the other... but I want a lumber mill operation along there, and the yard further down the road.  I'm not ready to veto your idea just yet, but configuring Bayard as I have, really points up the problem.

Lee

[DKS]

There are only two scheduled trains on the Thomas Sub, an East Local (Elkins to Hagerstown...{actually Ridgely}) and a West Local (vice versa).  Everything else would be either an Elkins transfer, or a coal extra dispatched either from Elkins or Bayard,.... which does point up a potential problem...

You've got Bayard tying in to the roundy cutoff, where it should really come off the line to Elkins, where it can utilize the B&O double track as a run around.  The roundy cut off should be just that....

I'm really not convinced that a narrow representation of Elkins would cause death and destruction if it is placed in front of Hagerstown.  I really want to add some switching opportunities along the Thos. Sub, plus, I don't want the removable bit in front of the window to be terribly complex.  (The current yard module crosses this area now, but all the track cuts are on straights.  It is semi permanently installed, too, as would the other... but I want a lumber mill operation along there, and the yard further down the road.  I'm not ready to veto your idea just yet, but configuring Bayard as I have, really points up the problem.

Lee

How about this... squeeze Cherry Run horizontally a little to the left, then run the line to the proposed Elkins location through a loop under the west end of Hagerstown, and back to the Cherry Run area, where the Elkins yard will assume a C-shape in front of Cherry Run.

[wm3798]

That's a nifty idea, worthy of consideration... It would also add some necessary grade to the run to be more fun to operate...  Let me cogitate on that...

Lee

[John]

Elkins is a long way from Htown .. ther is always the other room ..

[3rdrail]

Lee, either you've got the Grand Ballroom up there or you're going to have a helluva grade with that track crossing the river at grade and then the same line crossing over itself only a few feet away. Looking for a place to run that monster WM Shay??  ;D ;D ;D

[DKS]

Lee, either you've got the Grand Ballroom up there or you're going to have a helluva grade with that track crossing the river at grade and then the same line crossing over itself only a few feet away. Looking for a place to run that monster WM Shay??  ;D ;D ;D

It's actually not that bad, assuming one track is headed upgrade and the other down from the point they diverge.

[wm3798]

Yes... Remember, it's a 94 year old house...  The floor is very uneven!

Lee

[DKS]

Here's a version with Elkins packed in next to Cherry Run.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Back to the point at the end of the previous page, about the headroom for Chafee. You're right, the only problem is when there is a meet AND the local is working there. I guess it won't be that bad with the low volume of traffic there.

[sirenwerks]

I don;t see how the operators are going to get around in there ...

Didn't you know? We're all going on a diet. I've been meaning to anyway, good timing. Lee's reward will be the prime runs to those who get down to a 32" waist first, first come first served. 30" becomes President of the WM and 28" wins his house (layout not included).

The main problem I see Lee, and I know I don't have much seniority here, is that no one will be able to follow their train. We will all be forced many times a session with the decision of whether we offer the passing operator front or rear. And the bodies that have mandated immobility will block lines of sight.

[wm3798]

I'm thinking one of the solutions (much to Ed's chagrin) will be to narrow the yard by 6" or so.  The existing yard is significantly smaller, yet it handles a fair amount of traffic, so I think I can slim down the class bowls of the new design a little and still have a more efficient yard.  I'm also pondering the design of the peninsula, which is really at the crux of the problem you've identified, Bryan.  The trains on both mains are going back and forth from side to side on the peninsula, making it next to impossible to stay with them... particularly with tethered throttles.

I'm also going to have to have limited crew calls.  I think the room can handle 4 operators and one observer with a reasonable degree of flexibility.  Maybe this means more frequent sessions with a rotation of crews, or maybe it means we just thin the herd a little, and encourage a few others among us to get cracking on their layouts...

I haven't decided whether my criteria for selection will be whether or not I like you, or if you fail to bring me a sandwich, or the quality (and/or quantity) of beer you provide.  I'll have to work that out.

Lee ;D

[cv_acr]

I haven't decided whether my criteria for selection will be whether or not I like you, or if you fail to bring me a sandwich, or the quality (and/or quantity) of beer you provide.  I'll have to work that out.

Lee ;D

Or not referring to Lee as "Oh great exalted one" ...

Giving a foot rub gets first pick of jobs.