Proto-lanced Pennsy: The West Slope

[DKS]

One other option not yet explored is to (seriously) compress geography and model the point where the line splits for the two tunnels at Benny Tower...



This would provide the wiggle room to connect all of the tracks at the right end, and being connected in the tunnel hides a glut of trackwork.

And the dead-ending tracks could serve the purpose of future expansion, which could really enliven ops.

[eric220]

Very interesting idea.  If you also included the double-track tunnel, you've effectively divided the layout in half with a mountain ridge penetrated by tunnels providing the divider.  One side is the four-track MG scene, and the other is the coke operation scene.  I really like the concept!  My only concern is that trains going eastbound will be forced to cross over at MG. 

[kelticsylk]

One other option not yet explored is to (seriously) compress geography and model the point where the line splits for the two tunnels at Benny Tower...



This would provide the wiggle room to connect all of the tracks at the right end, and being connected in the tunnel hides a glut of trackwork.

And the dead-ending tracks could serve the purpose of future expansion, which could really enliven ops.

Cool...You also get two tracks for a very logical expansion later on.

[DKS]

[Bsklarski]

HOLY COW I wanna build that!

[PRRATSF]

There is nothing sweeter than a PRR interlocking.... Nice design DKS.
Sam

[Dave V]

Needs a few meatballs and some sauce...   

[kelticsylk]

Kinda awesome...reproduce the four track main on a door. That has to be a first.

[chicken45]

We have a winner!

[Hornwrecker]

Chicken has gone to plaid.

One minor suggestion:  move the mine tracks, so that they are not immediately over the hidden curved turnouts.  That way you can put an access hatch over them for when, not if, the points need tweaking.  Something like you saw over the hidden track on my layout.

[DKS]

Needs a few meatballs and some sauce...   

ftw

[eric220]

Meatballs aside... How about this?



(Note that in order to be accurate to the prototype, westbound is now counter-clockwise, so the track numbering has gone to 4 the outside, 1 on the inside.)

This plan keeps track 1 & 2 intact for roundy-rounding, and moves both hidden turnouts to the outside, where they are more easily accessed in the event of a mishap.  Edit: I also moved the spur at the bottom.  This way, in the event of an expansion, an eastbound has a path off the layout that does not involve a backing or turning maneuver.

[Bsklarski]

No sir, I dont like it. You want the mains on the Right side to both split. The way it is now you have one track that stays single and another track that splits into 3. That will cause issues operationally.

[eric220]

No sir, I dont like it. You want the mains on the Right side to both split. The way it is now you have one track that stays single and another track that splits into 3. That will cause issues operationally.

If it were truly a two track main splitting into a four-track main, I would agree.  In this case, I look at this more as a double track branch line splitting off from the circular mains.  If both tracks split, a westbound on track 2 is forced onto the "branch" on track 3 inside the tunnel, meaning it must cross back over to track 2 at MG.  If only the outer track splits, track 2 is continuous, and trains remain on the main.

[chicken45]

No sir, I dont like it. You want the mains on the Right side to both split. The way it is now you have one track that stays single and another track that splits into 3. That will cause issues operationally.

I think Eric just resolved that in the post right before yours?
I like that roundy round is now intact and I'm more than cool with the directional shifts. 
EDIT: I can't read.

So what are the pros and cons versus Eric's tweak to DKS's revelation?

I think we are on the right track (get it?!  ) here. From my perspective, the 4 track interlocking is mostly cosmetic, but would be nice if we can squeeze as much out of it $200 worth of turnouts as we can. I think that investment is worth it for me for the dividend it will pay in the scene.

Also, what's the radii? 11.5 and 13?