CP Flog Subdivision

[Flagler]

I would try to work a reversing loop into the plan.

[conrail98]

I would try to work a reversing loop into the plan.

Why if both ends are connected?

I do agree, making it single track would add a little more excitement to the operations,

Phil

[DKS]

I would try to work a reversing loop into the plan.

Easy peasy. Run a track from one side of the peninsula to the other, and call it a day.

[eric220]

I have to offer a dissenting opinion about the single track mains.  Double track can be challenging as well, but it does require a little more traffic.  On my layout, the local will occupy the main to work industries.  That means that the dispatcher has to route traffic around the locals.  Once the operations become more sophisticated, I plan on parking a work train in certain blocks, forcing single-tracking around it.  Double track also allows for things like rolling overtake moves.  Given that I'm planning on passenger ops in addition to freight ops, and trying to keep a crew of 4-8 people plus a dispatcher busy, double track makes more sense to me than single.

Long story short, double track ops can be challenging if you've got a little creativity and the traffic to support it.  It can also be useful if you want to have one train running loops while you operate another.  Do what works for your situation.

[C855B]

^^^^^ - What Eric said. For operating alone, I like the mix/challenge of a mainline train with the the throttle set to a happy medium and the switches set for a continuous loop, then operating a local, industrial job, peddler, or whatever, which then has to dodge the through traffic. Jeff's layout design is just large enough to do that.

Jeff, I might add another switching opportunity in the lower right somewhere and call this one ready to commit. I like it.

[conrail98]

While Eric and Mike bring up good points on how to do double-track main ops, if between switching areas you had single track then there is even more dispatching required if a local is working on one of those sidings since you would need to ensure up to 3 consecutive blocks (single, switching area, single) were free to move trains through to get around the switcher. This could be a good chunk of a layout which would then cause items to back up everywhere else. Then, to throw more of a loop, does the switcher have to use the main at all to runaround or even past the siding turnouts as a possible lead into an industry, thus trying to gain permission or having to operate against a set time.

Just some more food for thought and I do like Mike's idea of a switching area in the bottom right,

Phil

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

I do like the ideas guy. The layout is double tracked so I can run lots of trains when I am alone. There are times when I like to rail fan my layout so the ability to run trains free and clear makes sense to me. When it comes to ops session I can close parts of the double main for repairs.  When I operate alone I do like to have trains running by on their own as I operate whatever train I am running. This is another reason it is double tracked.

All of my major industries have small yards and run around options so they will not block the main. During op session the main will always be clear. One main will be for east bound and one for west. There will be passenger service for commuters both east and west that will have to move around freight. I am working on how many blocks I will have, trains will be 10’ long so I am hoping to have 6-8 blocks if I can. I still need to calculate the length of main but I am hoping to get 80’.

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Well with summer and work at the golf club starting to slow down I have finally started working on bench work for my layout.





Layout Plan still in the works



http://jeffscpline.blogspot.ca/

[MichaelWinicki]

Looks like a nice start Jeff!

But why not do something with the walls before you start the benchwork?

[Scottl]

How about a close up of those wall displays with all the NS and CP goodness there.  Give us something to drool over.

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Michael I will have backer boards that are 14" high and skirting around the layout so not much of the wall will be visible. I didn't want to spend money on walls I wasn't going to see.

Scott here are some better pics of the display cases. More pics of some of my custom painted stuff can be found in my albums.

https://picasaweb.google.com/101236537843388734996/JeffSUnnamedLayout?authuser=0&feat=directlink





Also got more bench work done today. The only thing I need to finish now is a foot and a half of bench work and the 2'6" lift out.

[Scottl]

Great stuff Jeff, thanks for the shots!

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Great stuff Jeff, thanks for the shots!

Thanks.

[John]

This is how I built my benchwork also .. ripped plywood .. you can get a lot out of one 4x8 sheet .. like others have said, spend a little to put some sheet rock on the wall ..  and 2 track is a lot of fun ..

[basementcalling]

Also got more bench work done today. The only thing I need to finish now is a foot and a half of bench work and the 2'6" lift out.

So you will be building a "Swamp" scene in front of that Florida backdrop scene?