Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

Good to know!!!  A minimum radius of 12" on the loop would be great, because I may sneak a short passenger train in every now and then, and every inch added to the minimum radius really helps the look on longer cars.  I know my passenger cars will run on 10" curves, but, obviously, they look ridiculous.  A 12" radius curve helps, even if just a little bit.

Empire Express does have a catalog for Atlas code 55 track, and, hopefully, the software designer was conservative.  In reality, I can also cut an inch or two off of the tail end of the #5 turnouts, which can save critical space and allow a little more elbow room.  Also, that turnout for the passing siding at the left end of the layout can be shifted around, and, depending on how far into the curve it goes, determines how wide that curve on that end of the layout can be.  Placing it at the end of the layout, for example, so that it's straight route is parallel with the table end is the worst place to put it.  However, too far around the curve really shortens the passing siding.

I'm not sure what the actual train length of that passing siding will be, but, again, actually laying out track pieces will answer that question.  I just need to make sure there's room for scenery, e.g., the ridge, so that there's not unrealistic and overly steep hillsides.  If necessary, I would keep the 9.75" minimum radius to give room for the ridge.  Only short trains with short freight cars are going up the A&R.  By the way, this curve and grade reminds me of the actual trackage that the A&R struggles up leaving Aberdeen.

Thanks!
DFF

[Chris333]

Booyah 



The layout was 55x102" in HO. The other plan that David has is from part 2, it shows building placement.

Part one Dec,85
Part two Jan 86.

If you want anything else let me know. Both issues are sitting in front of me.

[davefoxx]

Chris,

Thanks for that post.  That's exactly the article and the two layouts I was referring to. Seeing how the layouts were joined, I may reconsider my yard.  For example, if I move the SBD mainline to the second yard track, as in the original plan, that allows the A&R tracks to enter Aberdeen, not unlike the prototype A&R's tracks in Aberdeen.  Hmm.

I don't have the wye represented in my plan, because Empire Express is missing the Atlas code 55 wyes in the catalog.  But, I would absolutely install one, so that future expansion could be made someday.  I would love to build something that doesn't end up in the dumpster one day.    But, in my defense, I did find the Virginia Central a good home.

Thanks again,
DFF

[davefoxx]

Thanks to Chris and DKS posting the original plans, I've made yet more revisions:



Advantages of this plan are (1) the yard tracks were lengthened by approximately 5" with a shifting of the yard ladder towards the left end of the layout, (2) I gained a car length or two in the runaround in the yard by shifting the crossover to the next yard track, (3) the possibility of a 12" mainline radius becoming more possible with the new curve between the yard ladder and the turnout in Southern Pines actually being 12" in this plan, (4) the trackage is really starting to become more like that in the prototype Aberdeen, and (5) the minimum radius of the A&R has grown to 10".

One disadvantage is that the roundy-round will now have to navigate the crossover in Aberdeen.  This does not cause me great concern, because I had #5 crossovers on the Virginia Central and they were reliable enough that I could run trains through at mainline speeds without problems.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That over/under is really model railroady. I feel like it'll be tough to do any not look caricaturish.

[davefoxx]

That over/under is really model railroady. I feel like it'll be tough to do any not look caricaturish.

I believe that I can pull it off effectively.  The middle of the layout will have a tree-covered ridge that the branch line will run along.  There will NOT be a lot of flat real estate on this layout.  That ridge will continue off of the right end of the layout, and the lower track (the "under") will be in a cut that runs between the A&R overpass and the highway bridge in Aberdeen.  Also, to give some perspective, the furniture manufacturer will sit an inch or more above the rest of that end of Aberdeen.  Unfortunately, I am unable to show the grades well on the plan, and my trackplanning software does not allow for 3D rendering.  You'll have to trust me for now.

DFF

[wm3798]

I think it's a dandy plan, and will provide plenty of amusement until you buy a basement with a couple of rooms above.

Don't worry about Ed...  He thinks benchwork is too "model railroady" 

Lee

[wcfn100]

Where are you starting the gain in elevation for the branch line?

And is the main line flat?



Jason

[davefoxx]

Where are you starting the gain in elevation for the branch line?

And is the main line flat?



Jason

Hi Jason,

The A&R grade starts approximately where the track enters the curve on its way out of Aberdeen (near Aberdeen Packing & Produce).  This will make the longest run and keep the grade to a moderate incline.  I guesstimate that there's close to seven feet of run by the time the climb reaches the A&R overpass, and the rise only needs to be about 2" plus the thickness of the bridge structure.

The SBD mainline is, for the most part, flat.  I may add a small bowl to the yard (sometimes helpful when switching), and I may add or subtract 1/4" to 1/2" in height to the SBD mainline around the layout.  In fact, a 1/4" belly in the track under the A&R overpass would help me control the grade up and over.

DFF

[davefoxx]

I think it's a dandy plan, and will provide plenty of amusement until you buy a basement with a couple of rooms above.

Don't worry about Ed...  He thinks benchwork is too "model railroady" 

Lee

Thanks, Lee!

[wcfn100]

The A&R grade starts approximately where the track enters the curve on its way out of Aberdeen (near Aberdeen Packing & Produce).  This will make the longest run and keep the grade to a moderate incline.  I guesstimate that there's close to seven feet of run by the time the climb reaches the A&R overpass, and the rise only needs to be about 2" plus the thickness of the bridge structure.

My estimate has it less than 6' once you account for [very minor] vertical easements.  That puts you around 3%. 

You may want to mock up what that road crossing is going to look like with that grade.

Jason

[davefoxx]

My estimate has it less than 6' once you account for [very minor] vertical easements.  That put's you around 3%.

That seems fine to me.  There's only going to be really short trains going up the hill; they've got nowhere to go, with the exception of the furniture manufacturer.

You may want to mock up what that road crossing is going to look like with that grade.

I don't think there will be that much of a difference in height at that point, and there is six or so inches of space between the tracks that should be able to absorb the variation without any severe vertical bumps in the road.

[Chris333]

I don't think the road crossing will be too high up into the grade, but it may look a little strange with a flat crossing right down from a 3% crossing.

But... the whole town site will probably be .5-1" above the main and it will climb higher to the right so it might all work out.

Only one question. What code? All 55, 55 +40, hand laid track? 

[davefoxx]

The track will definitely be code 55 for the SBD and SOU trackage.  If I'm feeling sassy, I may handlay code 40 on the A&R, with the exception of its portion that is the roundy-round in Aberdeen.  So, above where the grade starts up the hill would be the portion with code 40.  I also wouldn't be afraid to handlay some of the SBD sidings in code 40, but I would install code 55 at first.  I might just do that for the A&R, too, since it appears that I have to order 25 pieces of flextrack at a time when ordered in the internet and I'll have plenty of code 55 on hand.

I still have to break this to my wife, though... and finish decluttering the house for the impending sale first, including the basement.

DFF

[wm3798]

I would definitely step the elevation of the town up as it goes to the right, having the road bridge approached more or less "at grade" with the railroad in a cut below.  You can use 1/4" foam core to build up the foundations, you'll just have to make some steps from the sidewalk to doors and other such minor details to keep the scene realistic.

Lee