New layout plans.

[ScrewySqrl]

Just as a note: The plan is based on one from Mike's small track plans:



I removed the large yard (simply because of the space to get the track up the 2% grade (and a yard on a 2% grade may be asking for trouble!) and I tried to add some switching in the open space created by that.  The river came from how the two bridges over the lower track look, and adding a third bridge underneath both could look better.  then added a yard, and flipped the whole thing 180 degrees.

the 2% grade starts right after the turnout on the lower left and continues up until it meets the double bridge.

[ScrewySqrl]

a cleaned up version:



Hopefully this is a bit less 'spaghetti'...there is clearly room for a town alon the 'cliff' and trees and rural scenery around the edges.  whats shown is merely suggestive and not definitive.

The Yard is at the higher elevation

[packers#1]

If you're going for the Original NS, I'd drop the dogbone for a pair of reversing loops. Requires some wiring trickery, but a double track mainline probably won't convey the sense of a North Carolina Shortline very well

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I still think it's way too busy.

Were there many over/unders on the original NS?

[ScrewySqrl]

Were there many over/unders on the original NS?

Probably not.  But outside of Tehachapi, not many over-unders anywhere else in the US either.  Doesn't stop the over-under figure 8 from being very popular in our plywood centrals 

There is a significant elevation change within the triangle though. Raleigh is 315 ft above sea level, Durham is 404, and chapel Hill is 486, and the over under can represent that.

a double track mainline probably won't convey the sense of a North Carolina Shortline very well

The N/S had track parallel with the ACL, SCL, and Southern in many places along its route.  That would certainly look like double track!

[MichaelWinicki]

Boy that yard trackage is so short... I don't think I would bother.

[ScrewySqrl]

Boy that yard trackage is so short... I don't think I would bother.

its deliberate: its an inglenook

[svedblen]

Can anyone stop that squirrel ?  I have a hard time reading the posts with Chip 'r Dale all over the Place 

[PRRATSF]

small game season starts soon . . . maybe that will take care of the problem.

[ScrewySqrl]

If I'm really not wanted here, I can just leave the forum

[wazzou]

If I'm really not wanted here, I can just leave the forum

I think you're possibly reading a little too much into what was only mentioned with regard to your avatar.

[packers#1]

If I'm really not wanted here, I can just leave the forum

Everyone's just joking, no worries.

As far as having an inglenook, I can see why you would have that on there, but rather than having a small, seemingly pointless yard, why not try to model the inglenook as one of the following:

A) Create an industry that requires two tracks side by side, either for spotting (like this industry http://binged.it/1rHd6fT) or for storage. Use the mainline as your third track. That way you have your inglenook, but it doesn't LOOK like an inglenook. Whenever I get around to building my switching layout, I'll be using that industry.

B) Model it as a small MoW storage yard

C) Remove it from the layout and either make it a separate layout or use it as a plug-in extension for the small layout.

D) Build a bigger yard that works better, and then when you want an Inglenook, play by the inglenook rules.

[Rich_S]

If I'm really not wanted here, I can just leave the forum

You are more than welcome here, just remember most of the members have a light hearted sense of humor and enjoy a little light hearted ribbing. There are also ton's of inside jokes, here on TRW, so please don't be offended, the post was not meant to be offensive.

Now to get back on track (pun intended) I have to admit, I prefer your two door plan verses the current single door plan. In the long run, you need to build the layout that will satisfy your wish list, as John Armstrong called them, your “Givens and Druthers”.  In closing I'm looking forward to following your thread as you build one of your plans.

 

[PRRATSF]

There was no offense intended, just replied with first thing that popped in my head. The banter on this forum is as enjoyable as the information that's shared. I'm sorry it made you feel like you weren't welcome.

Sam

[svedblen]

Oops! Sorry! Of course I did not refer to you personally. It was only in reference to your jumping avatar
My apologies and please keep your posts coming.