Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

Taking some accurate measurements of the space I have in the train room, I discovered that I can nearly fit the entire length of a HCD off the side of the existing HCD where the A&R and SBD lines exit the existing door.  I have 76 3/4" to the wall, so I only have to cut off 3 1/4".  No, I can't cheat an extra 3 1/4", because the Aberdeen side of the layout is only 25 1/2" to the opposite wall.  However, that's where the layout has been for more than two years, so I know I can live with that.  Of course, this means I have to fill the 18" x 36" space at the end of the existing HCD with some sort of benchwork that can mate with the HCDs.  I'll figure out a nice way to do so that is structurally sound.

With the additional length, the tracks in Hamlet Yard are now a much better length.  I've redrawn Hamlet and Raeford but predict that the final design of these tracks will be determined when the track is actually laid.  In the meantime, here's an idea of where I'm headed:



DFF

[davefoxx]

Sawyer,

That's not a bad idea.  I'm also considering something that allows for cuts of covered hoppers and coal hoppers, which can be seen on the proto A&R.

Thanks,
DFF

[davefoxx]

Another revision.  I really wanted the SBD line (now known as the S-Line on CSX) to be a single track line with passing sidings.  So, I went back and made revisions to try to get to that goal.  I now have three passing sidings along the SBD mainline, one each in Aberdeen, Hamlet, and Southern Pines.  The plan is really tight at the two #5 turnouts at the left end of the plan, but I know I can cut 2-3" off of the tail of each turnout (which I cannot do in AnyRail) and that may just make this possible.  If not, I'll lose the switcher pocket there.



DFF

[tappertrainman]

Covered hoppers could be a cement unloading plant (unloads from railroad to truck).  I'm building one now that can support at least 5-7 of the shorter <50' hoppers.  Don't know if that is prototypical or not for your area and era though. 


Here is what a local plant in San Diego looks like:



Your siding could easily be a drop-off, pick-up point for an offsite set of silos.

James

[Chris333]

Looks like in your new plans you have the trestle over the main moved back some, you gonna re-build that area?

[davefoxx]

James,

That's an excellent industry to model.  I'll have to research to see if I could use a cement plant in Raeford (or on the A&R), but, if I could, you've got to love the amount of covered hoppers compared to the size of the "industry" next to the tracks.  Thanks for posting that.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Looks like in your new plans you have the trestle over the main moved back some, you gonna re-build that area?

Chris,

What you're seeing is that I will extend the end of the layout approximately 15-18", so, thankfully, the trestle scene will not have to be rebuilt.  The new door is not flush with the end of the existing door, and, once I have joined them, I will have an area of roughly 18" x 36" to fill at the end of the existing door.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Alright, this is likely the last track plan that I'll subject y'all to, until construction begins:



I messed around with Hamlet Yard tonight, and I'm really pleased with how it should be able to be operated.  I originally intended for this yard to be merely staging, but (1) it's the first thing that will be seen upon entrance to the train room, (2) I wanted locomotive and caboose storage, and (3) being able to classify SBD trains will really improve ops on the whole layout.  I'm not certain that the track lengths of the arrival/departure tracks are as long as I would like (two four-axle locomotives, ten freight cars, and a caboose), but they're not far off.  I can probably live with them as planned, even if it is necessary for the power to cut off to clear a switch.  I also have other ideas to extend these tracks, if need be.

DFF

[wazzou]

What's the radius in the upper left and/or right entering and exiting Hamlet?

[davefoxx]

What's the radius in the upper left and/or right entering and exiting Hamlet?

Bryan,

Upper left is cheated, because I can't trim the #5 turnouts on the software like I can with the real track pieces.  The upper right is 12-3/8" passing siding and 13-5/8" mainline.  On the existing layout, the minimum mainline radius on the SBD is 12-3/8".  In a perfect world, these numbers would be the same on the other end of Hamlet Yard (upper left), but, I'm willing to go smaller, if necessary.  There's a spot on the existing layout where a SBD passing siding is crunched to an 11" radius in a short section.

DFF

[Leggy]

Curved turnouts to extend the length of the yard tracks perhaps?

[Chris333]

This is what I was talking about. Isn't the upper trestle track more like this?


I'm sure you can figure it out, but wanted to make sure it fits before cutting wood 

[DKS]

Hmmm... just wondering... with the two yards directly adjacent to one another, what impact does this have on ops and appearance? Their close proximity just doesn't feel right to me. I also wonder what advantage there is with Hamlet yard being the first thing seen entering the room? My inclination would be to push Raeford back to where Hamlet yard is, and pull the yard down toward the inside of the L. The yard would of course have to be smaller, but with such a small layout, I don't see that as being a bad thing. As it is now, Hamlet almost overpowers the layout, making everything track-heavy. Also, I believe Chris is right about the upper line--the way you've rendered the new plan, you'll have to tear out the whole bridge scene and rebuild it. And in reviewing some photos of the Southern Pines area, the actual track geometry doesn't agree with what's drawn on the new plan. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I'm not seeing the new plan gelling.

[DKS]

Just to serve as a discussion point, I tossed this together--



My primary concern was the geometry of the track at the exit points off of the original HCD. Using your original plan and photos as a reference (since changes were made subsequent to the plan, such as the wye on the mainline near Southern Pines), I made adjustments until it looked close enough to reality to provide a basis for the expansion. The Hamlet yard can, of course, be returned to the top edge of the layout, but as I noted before, this makes the layout look rather track-heavy, and the proximity to the Aberdeen yard looks awkward; with it relocated, there's something of a natural divider between the two yards. Again, this is offered merely to generate new ideas.

Exploring this a little further, I couldn't help but notice an opportunity to add a wye, which may (or may not) enhance operations...

[davefoxx]

This is what I was talking about. Isn't the upper trestle track more like this?


I'm sure you can figure it out, but wanted to make sure it fits before cutting wood 

Chris,

You're very likely correct.  When I drew the bulk of this plan, I was away from home.  So, there's probably a number of spots that aren't correct.  That one, however, can be fixed.  Raeford, at this point, is only roughed in, so I can move it around accordingly.  I also don't mind a wandering A&R line, so if, once it crests the hill, it has to take a slight right hand jog to get more centrally located on the new door, I don't mind.  Good eye, though.

DFF