Erie Railroad Mahoning division HCD

[Chris333]

Working on my small 2x4 layout and actually getting parts of it finished makes me wish my big layout was that far along. My big layout isn't much, just a big race track:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/NewLayoutSpace#5863270477121696274

I was thinking to downsize it even more and just a damn door.  You will notice that it kinda looks similar to a certain PRR layout  But I'd use another smaller door as a view block down the center. This is what I've come up with so far.


The key.
1. Walthers farm supply
2. Walthers vulcan mfg x2
3. Walthers American hardware. Front on the left, rear on the right.
4. My coal trestle https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/CoalTrestle
5. Erie towers
6. Atlas middlesex mfg.
7. Walthers hardwood furniture.
8. My scratchbuilt Erie freight house, but with the tracks in the back, trucks up front. https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/NScale#5284937860996274290
9. Erie station based off a AMB NP station kit.
10. Erie station would be based off of this small one https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/ProtoPhotos#5081280745840867298
11. Team track ramp
12. Some sort of feed/hardware business.

The track that runs off the layout to the right would go to a staging shelf, maybe a transverser type thing. The plan above is pretty much to scale as I have the whole thing drawn out full size on cardboard. I like the top part as is and the bottom right is OK to me. Don't really like the bottom left as much. What I do like is the road dipping down as it would look like my smaller layout
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/IndustrialLayout#5979886676126630338
The problem is mostly the lower center to left area. There aren't many smaller DPM type buildings and I'm not sure I like the layout and flow of the roads. Any suggestions?

[Greyryder]

I like that it looks designed with an eye towards actually operating the thing, and not just watching trains circle.I'm a fan of doing local turns. I'd add an extra crossover on each side, so you don't have to run a lap just to perform a run around maneuver, if you ever want to drop a car at a facing point.

[CodyO]

You know chris I`ve been looking for a layout design this size and I might end up copying you I rather like your ideas and design

[Bsklarski]

I Like it Chris. What is the structure on the lower right corner? One of the reasons I went back to the HCD from the 4x8 is that all the wasted room. This plan I can relate to. Somethings look like what I am doing. I like the dummy NYC track. My mileage will double like you with the structures. I see at least 3 that I have now that need to be cut in half, modified whatever.

[Dave V]

Holy crap!  I like that too!  I might need to do that myself!

I have all that sweet code 55 now, and maybe a redesign of the main layout might obviate some of my "expansionist" desires...

[Chris333]

Well maybe it doesn't need fixin'. If built I would build my own turnouts, hate watching steam wiggle through Atlas TO's. Also I may add another 6" to the length.

[Chris333]

Flipped the cardboard over and added the extra 6" and came up with pretty much the same thing.


Got one more backdrop building that will be Walthers tenements. Oh and will use the traveling crane in front of Vulcan.  And instead of the other street crossing the track at an angle I left that out and added a siding for express service at the station.

Kinda like it now.

[DKS]

That's a cool plan, sort of a cross between the JD and the JCIR. I was a bit concernd by the cluster of crossings and switches at the upper left; I had a feeling it wasn't buildable, so I tried it out in AnyRail. It was quite the challenge to make that area work, and I don't think the result is all that great, either. It may take a bit of fiddling to make it work.



Note, this was done before your latest revision to the bottom half.

[DKS]

[crrcoal]

Hi Dave, do you think this plan doable in <gasp> unitack?

[DKS]

Hi Dave, do you think this plan doable in <gasp> unitack?

If you're willing to do a little trimming, then you can get pretty close. Just can't do that crossing/interchange.

[Chris333]

This is where hand built turnouts come in. The 2 turnouts the make the interchange connection would be 13.5" R turnouts. This track is mostly scenery. The siding in the lower right corner would be a 16" R turnout to keep the flow around the curve. Instead of a straight diverging routes. The new turnout for express service would be a wye. All others are #6's.

[DKS]

This is where hand built turnouts come in.

Oh, I fully appreciate that. I just wish you luck with this bit--

[Chris333]

One of the reasons I drew it full scale.



The extra 6" on this side of the layout gets me an extra span on the bridge crossing so I can have a center pier.

[CodyO]

Screwed around with tthe design between squadron PT and Chow
The yard is just suppose to be staging going to fool around with it a little more

Chris are all your turnouts on the design #6s?

Loving the feeling of it just need to clean it up a bit and figure out if I want to be able to operate the yard on its own not attached to the main module