Canton, Highlandtown and Fells Point - Compact layout

[basementcalling]

Peter....

I want buildings too...

Lee

Lee, I stick to railroads and utilities when I play monopoly. 

Buildings require a location. Where are you looking to model.

Chris, parking cars to switch could be done with brake thingies like Mark uses on the C&W.

[jpec]

How about a tweak of the urban layout that Malcolm Furlow did for a MR project layout back in the late 80's/early 90's?  I can't recall the name of it but it was a flipped figure 8 with some sidings. I'm sure the great minds here could do something with it.

Jeff

[eric220]

Just my  two cents at this point, I'd go with a diamond in the middle instead of going up and over.

[jpec]

Furlow's layout was the Carbondale Central and found another called Port Emerson that's an up and over flipped figure 8.

Jeff

[MichaelWinicki]

Just my  two cents at this point, I'd go with a diamond in the middle instead of going up and over.

+1

[DKS]

Something to kick around. I managed to get most of everything on your wish list except an industrial branchline "meandering around"--I didn't want to choke the plan with so much track there was little room left for buildings. The minimum radius is between 10.5 and 11 inches, so it should be generous enough to stretch some loco's legs. Kept it flat for a few reasons--it avoids insane grades, adds diamonds and thus more urban feel, and it's a lot easier to build.



Was not able to work in a passing siding without crushing the curves down to 8 inches or so, but there is the wye, FWIW. Should provide plenty of switching challenges.

[MichaelWinicki]

As usual like Dave's rendition.

Luv all the buildings.

The "Y" is a good add.

[wm3798]

Me likey like that!  I could still do the up and over by elevating the front to back section of the 8.  (I like urban trestles), that would put the siding for the big brewery in the middle at a different level, and I could set the wye track mid grade and still have a functioning siding.

Plus a little elevation will let me include a coal trestle, which is a must, or Chris will never speak to me again...

One thing I'll have to figure out though, is a connection along the wall that could put a proper staging track over my desk off to the right.


Any way to bend that wye in the opposite direction?

Lee

[wcfn100]

Looking at the space and reading through the thread, I'd look at a a two level affair with a figure 8 at 0" elevation with the best curves that will fit.  Then focus the industrial/switching track at 2".


I do like David's plan.  I would add a place to park/service a locomotive.  I'm certainly biased from my research, but I think it's something that's overlooked too often.  I would also look at a version of the plan that's a little less busy (read - a few more large buildings, some wider streets and one of David's favorites, more negative space).

Jason

[DKS]

OK, cutting the minimum radius down to 9.75", we can wrap a line around the outside to gain elevation for a second level to some urban trestles, give you a "branchline" including coal trestle, and provide a connection for staging all at the same time. As it is, the grade (dark blue section) is 2.5% to reach a 2" elevation. I believe an over-and-under arrangement could push the grade to as much as 4%, and result in nearly all of the mainline being on a grade. (And as much as I like over-and-unders, given this size layout, I think it would look a bit too model-railroady.) So, IMHO this might be a better option.

[basementcalling]

OK, cutting the minimum radius down to 9.75", we can wrap a line around the outside to gain elevation for a second level to some urban trestles, give you a "branchline" including coal trestle, and provide a connection for staging all at the same time. As it is, the grade (dark blue section) is 2.5% to reach a 2" elevation. I believe an over-and-under arrangement could push the grade to as much as 4%, and result in nearly all of the mainline being on a grade. (And as much as I like over-and-unders, given this size layout, I think it would look a bit too model-railroady.) So, IMHO this might be a better option.

I retire my feeble efforts and bow at the feet of the master.

[DKS]

Just ran the calculations; the lower-right loop would be 3.8% grade for an over-under.

[Chris333]

Chris might talk to you 

[Baronjutter]

You really are the master at tiny urban/industrial layouts.

[davefoxx]

Lee,

If and when you drill through the bookshelf, use a hole saw.  You'll get a cleaner cut, and you can use a grommet later to clean up the look of the hole when you remove the layout someday.

DFF