Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

Great question, Michael, and I admit that I am still learning how to use the yard.  You are right that a switcher is going to be tripping all over any freight cars in the yard.  What I plan to do is use the run-through power to switch its own train, i.e., there will be no local switcher (as is the case on the prototype).  I added the second crossover to give flexibility, so to allow runarounds on a few tracks and minimize getting trapped.

In order from top to bottom:
A&R main: Must stay clear, except the small stub at the end beyond the #7 turnout that leads to the roundy-round.

SBD main: Used as arrival/departure (power can runaround on Yard Track 2 or the A&R main).  This track is supposed to represent the mainline which would be a run-through, but I don't believe that will ever connect to anything (my train room is not big enough).  So, it's a stub, and I'll use it accordingly, i.e., I'll cheat.  Remember, that SBD trains on this layout are unprotoypically running over the A&R main to complete the round-round.  Anything on the "SBD main" is not technically in the way.

Yard Track 2: Temporary overflow storage to allow trains to be built on the SBD or A&R mains.  Keep in mind, there's not a ton of interchange here.  There really would only be a few cars sent up the A&R (or picked up from) at a time by both the ex-SOU and the SBD.  We're not talking about the interchange of unit trains here.

Yard Track 1/Connection to ex-SOU interchange and engine facility:  I can use at least half of this track for storage and keep enough track clear to access the interchange and engine facility.

Note: I have space to add an additional track between the table edge and Yard Track 1, and I have considered adding another track.  But, I really want to avoid the urge to speghetti-bowl this layout any further.  Besides, I'm pretty sure that the real yard in Aberdeen is only a couple of tracks.  That said, I'm always open to constructive criticism.

DFF

[davefoxx]

I can see temporarily "borrowing" the the two mains for runaround moves, which kind of makes the lowermost crossover at right superfluous.

If you go back, you'll see an earlier plan didn't have that crossover.  But, its addition created a sorely needed longer runaround on Yard Track 2 that matched the capacity of the passing siding in Southern Pines on the other side of the layout.  But, when I transplanted the crossover to this spot, then I realized I no longer had a runaround on the A&R.  So the first crossover went back in, and now I have two.

My plan is to try to keep the A&R trains to its mainline and the SBD trains to its mainline.  But, this may prove fruitless.  We'll see.  If either crossover turns out to be superfluous in operations, I will remove it.  But, I have a feeling that when jockeying cars around, I'll see the advantage of having both.

Thanks,
Dave

[davefoxx]

BRAINSTORM: If I were able to extend the layout lengthwise, I could double-end the yard tracks back into the SBD main (and add capacity in yard track length).  I could physically add to the length of the table; my layout room will allow that.  But, if I do, I won't be able to spin the layout ninety degrees in its present space and run the A&R and SBD staging yards expansion off at a ninety-degree angle to the main HCD (e.g., extending the A&R beyond the trestle).

In other words, my layout room is just wide enough to allow the 80" HCD length to run in that direction with an aisle against the wall.  If I do that, I cannot extend the layout beyond the 80" length.  If I keep the layout in its present space, I can add to the length (maybe with another 80" HCD), but I will not be able to run the staging yards extension off at a ninety-degree angle, because the room is not wide enough.  I may have painted myself into a corner.

Thoughts?

DFF

[eric220]

Thoughts?

Images/diagrams. I'm having trouble visualizing the space.

[davefoxx]

Images/diagrams. I'm having trouble visualizing the space.

Oh, shoot.  I guess you guys are going to make me measure the layout room's space after all.     I'll try to do so in the near future.

[packers#1]

Why not add the other door and move the A&R trestle to run onto it? If I understand what you're saying, there will be space on the side of the yard; why not change the trestle's curve and have it also run onto the extension HCD?

[MichaelWinicki]

Dave, I know I would be awfully tempted to drop a fifth track in the yard. 

I could see how adding another industrial track or another loop of track somewhere could create an "spaghetti-bowl" kinda thing, but a yard is a yard.   I don't think adding a fifth track near the edge is going to mess up the aesthetics of the pike.

On the plus side another another track will add to the operational possibilities which will increase the overall enjoyment.

[DKS]

Judging from this photo, you ought to have room for one more track.



Fixed:



If it's uncomfortably close to the edge, I'd just mount a strip of Plexiglas to the front for protection.

[davefoxx]

Heh, nice PhotoShop, DKS.  Yeah, there's definitely enough room.  I will have to plow out some scenery for the roadbed; it's not flat there.  I tapered the foam base to a slightly raised fascia with some lightweight joint compound.  My intention was to build in a safety factor to keep things on the table.  But, that small hill is nothing a sander can't take care of.  If I have to cut down the fascia, that's not a huge problem either (which is why I haven't done a final sanding and a top coat of paint on the fascia yet).

Heck, it would be no closer than this passing siding on the Virginia Central, where I never got around to installing the Plexiglas edging. 


I think you may have persuaded me.

Thanks, all!

DFF

[davefoxx]

Why not add the other door and move the A&R trestle to run onto it? If I understand what you're saying, there will be space on the side of the yard; why not change the trestle's curve and have it also run onto the extension HCD?

Hi, Sawyer,

The thought of tearing out that trestle after all of the work I put into it makes me shudder.  Besides, it wouldn't be reusable.  That trestle was built to a specific curve and slight grade (actually crest of the grade), so it likely wouldn't be salvageable.  And, I really like the idea of the 24" HCD coming off perpendicularly from the main portion of the layout, because I could push one portion against the wall (the long side of the 24" HCD and the short end of the 36" HCD).  If I add a door to the length (160" long layout), I'll be stuck with an island-style layout that needs aisles on both sides.

Thanks,
Dave

[MichaelWinicki]

I think you'll be pleased after adding the extra track Dave.

[davefoxx]

Fixed:

Now, the question is: Do I move the ex-SOU interchange and locomotive facility, so the turnout leading to that is shifted to the fifth track OR do I leave that all in place and just branch off of the fourth track (Yard Track 1) with a right hand turnout to make a shorter fifth track (this will likely result in some S-curves unless the turnouts are placed a car length away from each other)?

DFF

[davefoxx]

I think you'll be pleased after adding the extra track Dave.

I agree and have mulled this addition over for some time.  Thankfully, the input from you all helped me decide to commit to what will become Yard Track #3 (the runaround track will become Yard Track #1).  I think I've got just enough materials to build it (one turnout and a couple of pieces of cork roadbed and flextrack).  Thanks, again.

DFF

[DKS]

Do I move the ex-SOU interchange and locomotive facility, so the turnout leading to that is shifted to the fifth track...

Yes. This will give you more storage space and a longer Briar Patch interchange to work. Not to mention slightly longer team/engine service tracks, with extra space for service structures.

[davefoxx]

As always, thanks for your efforts, DKS.  They never go unappreciated by me.  Looks great!