Yard layout

[LIRR]

you dont say what the room is used for......can you add another narrow shelf along the bottom wall forstaging?

[crrcoal]

Hi Ed- should've been more clear about engine servicing; what you suggested is exactly what I'm looking for and is just what they do at Abrams and Spartanburg.  I'm going to see what I can sketch up in paintbrush (MAC's version of MS paint) and see how your suggestions look.

Hi LIRR- That bottom wall is the closet and is actively used.  What I have sketched in the drawing is all that is available unfortunately.  Awesome layout you have BTW.

[crrcoal]

Here are two ideas. Idea #2 is what I'm leaning towards. Idea #3 would be similar to #1 but stub ended and in all honesty would probably mirror Col Vollmer's Enola yard.

Idea #1  On the short shelf would be a divider to hide 2nd staging yard. Probably not feasible.


Idea #2  Has removable tail track extension. I believe this is What Ed was trying to suggest?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

1 is better.

There's still a far way to go, but it's better.

Remember, you want a nice long drill track so you can actually work the yard. Plus, you need space for trains making setoff to pull ahead and do that. You don't want to hide that track behind something.

If you want to include industrial switching, go for it, but do it off the main (and do yourself a major favor, try and make all the switches you'll be shoving across trailing point, so you don't have cars picking switches while they're being pushed).

[crrcoal]

I could take or leave the industrial switching; maybe just have a couple RIP tracks for interest.

Here are a some screenshots of Spartanburg. It "appears" to be pretty workable. I love the engine tracks and that leaves 5 yard tracks which include the single main. Looks like the drill and main are one in the same. Remains to be seen so far. Could maybe narrow the 7' shelf a bit to 12" or less too.

So on the left side of the layout, do you think a curved turnout would coming out of staging?

[LIRR]

You have plenty of room for a respectable yard.....but focusing on yard operations makes your biggest issue is a staging area for trains to come from and go to. Maybe extend the tracks on the left into the closet, using a bare minimum radius. Is a 6" shelf along the back wall of the closet doable? That would give you 4 tracks. A removable section across the door would let you loop it all, giving you bidirectional staging and at the same time making the area along the left wall available for a few industry flats, etc.

[LIRR]

Or this....hide 4 double end staging tracks behind your yard using trees and/or structures. It'll mean giving up some depth to the visible portion, or maybe split the difference. Pull the layout in 3" from each wall and make each scene 3" shallower. Then you would only need a single tack loop across the door and thru the closet. The space on the left wall would be available for some open-field running before entering the yard instead of exiting staging directly into the yard scene.

[crrcoal]

Hi LIRR,

Great suggestions! I wish I could use the whole room however circumstances dictate I can only use what I posted.

I am intrigued by your thoughts on the hidden staging along the back of the wall but would that mean the train come out of that area and then has to do a switchback into the yard?

Width wise, if it makes a difference, I could go 30" wide on the long shelf. That would allow a loop I suppose. Your idea of staging along the back wall then starts to make more sense. What would the radius work out to be then and how would that effect big six axle power and larger rolling stock? This would all be a last resort option as I still tend to lean towards the left side staging plank feeding the yard.

I went to anyrail but they only have it for PC. I'm on a mac. Xtrkcad has mac version but I cannot so far cannot get it to work with Mavericks.  Any alternatives out there for mac?

[LIRR]

The hidden staging along the back wall would work with the around the room loop idea. A train would exit staging, say counter clockwise, circle the room and enter the visible portion once past the door. Like wise a CW move would exit staging, pass the door, go thru the closet, then enter the layout along the left wall....

Maybe a removable temporary section u set up in front of the closet when you operate? Anything that gets you a loop will be a  big help.

[crrcoal]

Ahh I see what your saying now. Nope not an option. If I do a loop, then it would be something like Doug Nelson's PRR layout. He has staging yards along the back of the layout if memory serves correctly.

Could maybe do something like Vollmers Enola yard and have the track loop around it?

Still thinking "point to point" though.......

[crrcoal]

Rather than hijack Dave Vollmers thread......

Here are thoughts on what DKS had planned out for his expansion that I may be able to adapt to my plans.

Lenghth of layout is 98". I can go 115"   Width is 36" would prefer 30" but that is not a make or break deal.
The thick line is a low backdrop to hide the staging yard.
Had to straighten out the staging yard because of that.
Looks like all sort of issues now become apparent; such as reaching over engine house, how to get between mains from staging, the short shelf area itself now makes no sense.
Perhaps move the engine facilities to the short shelf?
Existing engine house could either be removed and more yard tracks put in or turned into a car repair area?
Looking for thoughts on this so please offer ideas if you have em. Thank you!