HCD Layout

[MichaelWinicki]

You've got that nice area of space there at the bottom, between the main and the edge of the layout... Maybe consider adding something right there to increase the operating interest of the pike– Would need a curved switch probably.

[DKS]

You've got that nice area of space there at the bottom, between the main and the edge of the layout... Maybe consider adding something right there to increase the operating interest of the pike...

Or not. This is one of those situations where you need to decide if enhancing ops is going to push the layout into pasta land. It might be nice just to have some scenery, or a well-rounded town (as opposed to the four-building token towns most of us have).

[vt_railroad_guy]

This is what I'm referring too.  This is a #5 turnout coming off from a curved turnout.  Notice the allignment of the tracks.

[wcfn100]

Yep.

If those switches are #5 then it's not an illusion.



What you've drawn works with #7 turnouts without having any alignment issues, but #5s require some massaging.

Jason

[DKS]

It's a matter of order of execution. If you start with the curved turnouts, then you will run into a minor alignment issue. If you start with everything else and end with the curved turnouts, they will join fine. It amounts to approximately 2 degrees of angular difference, which is so trivial that the end of any piece of flex will naturally join to the switch on its own just fine. Now, if you've set the tolerance to <2 degrees, then they won't join in the software. But they will still join on the layout with no issues.

As you can see by the control points on the flex track, I did no massaging at all:



If I'd done anything funny with the connections, you'd see a bend near the end of the flex.

[wcfn100]

Wrong flex track.  At the other end of the yard attached to the inside track of the LH curved turnout.  That flex either has to have a curve in it or it's slightly misaligned as well.  It's not possible for it to be exactly aligned (if everything else is).

I agree it's all minimal and can be compensated for easily, I was just addressing the OPs concern over it.


Jason

[DKS]

Like I said, order of execution. Assemble the curved switches to everything else last, and you will have no need for fiddling. Unless, as I said before, you've got the tolerance set below 2 degrees.

[Dave V]

Ahh...  New guy gets the full DKS trackplan experience.  I love it!

Welcome to the Railwire HCD club, JDB.  Here's what I ended up doing:





The hollow core door is limited in many ways, but if you really do want to have maximum portability and simplicity, it really can't be beaten.  Looks like you're off to a good start.

Last June I gave a seminar at the national N Scale Enthusiast convention in Hershey, PA, of which DKS made an awesome, professional-quality video.  It focused on small layout design, and might have a few nuggets of interest to you as you start your planning journey:

http://vimeo.com/26729650

[MichaelWinicki]

Or not. This is one of those situations where you need to decide if enhancing ops is going to push the layout into pasta land. It might be nice just to have some scenery, or a well-rounded town (as opposed to the four-building token towns most of us have).

Good point Dave.

I'm not sure a spur there would push the pike into pasta land, but I understand the point.

[vt_railroad_guy]

Here's my latest with 11.25 radius curves, but I like it over all.

[nscalemike]

In order to retain the features of the original sketch, you may need to get comfy with curved switches. The alternative is tighter curves and shorter staging tracks.

Just my opinion, but I think this is a very nice design for the space.  Don't be afraid of the curved switches, and I'll second leaving the bottom left open for scenery.  Could provide several nice photo spots.

Mike

[vt_railroad_guy]

Just my opinion, but I think this is a very nice design for the space.  Don't be afraid of the curved switches, and I'll second leaving the bottom left open for scenery.  Could provide several nice photo spots.

Mike

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I like it as well, especially the longer I study it.  It flows smoothly.  DKS is VERY tallented at layout design!

Is there anyway to get a broader curve (15" maybe?) on the left side?  The main track will cross the river twice through this curve and I think it has potential to be a scenic highlight on the layout.  I don't mind sacrificing a tighter radius on the right to accomodate the larger radius on the left.  The only two standards I have set for myself ar minimum 11.25 radius and track no closer than 2" to the edge of the layout to allow some foreground detail.  Thoughts?

JDB

[wm3798]

I think what David excels at is layout "clarification" more than design.  He's a master at taking the notes we've scribbled on paper napkins and evolving them into practical, workable and most importantly, buildable plans...

One of the many things I'm thankful for today!!


I expect I'll be spending some time playing with the results of his handiwork later today!

Lee

[DKS]

Thanks for the kind words, all. Happy Thanksgiving!



15 inch radius, as requested. The curve on the right is 13.5 and can't go much higher.

[vt_railroad_guy]

Thanks for the kind words, all. Happy Thanksgiving!



15 inch radius, as requested. The curve on the right is 13.5 and can't go much higher.

I'm thinking drop the right curve to 12.5 radius to allow a little more space between the track and layout edge and that's EXACTLY what I'm looking for!  You've managed to do in less than 24 hours what I haven't been able to do in three weeks!   Now, do you think that yard would be large enough to provide any operational interest?  I will only be running 10-12 car trains max made up of 40' and 50' equipment.  I'm also contemplating the addition of an area for woodchip loading on that side off the layout as this was common on the BAR (and I want to try my hand at kitbashing a few of those jade green modified 40' woodchip hoppers they had).

JDB