Small little Trackplans, DKS Style

[Chris333]

You can turn that last plan into a run around track and still keep the yard looking tracks.

EDIT:  Like this:


Don't know how that all works out in Uni-land though.

[Chris333]

And just to put it here. These are some photos of David's Trenton layout that he posted online:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/TrentonTransportationCompany

[Chris333]

Also what I liked so much about David's layout was the way the roads were arranged. To me any trackplan alone doesn't do anything for me without a plan for the rest.

[chicken45]

And just to put it here. These are some photos of David's Trenton layout that he posted online:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/TrentonTransportationCompany

Damn. I forgot just how good that whole thing looks.

[JMaurer1]

I vote for Chris' modification. You might as well have a loop since you practically have on anyway...that way you can break in engines and just run trains and watch them when you want. Second, you MUST have a runaround track if you want to switch any of your trailing switch tracks (or you will have to have your engine in the middle of the train). How can you push a car into a siding if it is behind the engine and the switch is a Y in front of the engine?

[tom mann]

Check it out:  the DKS plan gently expanded with a 216mm (8.5") radius.  Footprint is 20"x36".

Can anyone confirm that 4 axle switchers and 50 foot cars (all with body mounted couplers) will run on something like this?

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Also, I internalized what Chris333 said about the street layout and I widened up the two parallel tracks so mirror DKS' original concept.  Chris is right: what makes a small layout like this "work" is the relationship between buildings, streets, and track radius.  If you study DKS' plan, you'll see that the tight track radius looks great because the tracks are snug up to the buildings.

[mcjaco]

Do you really need a run around track if it's a loop???

[tom mann]

Do you really need a run around track if it's a loop???

You don't.  That's why I left it off.  Plus, Unitrack turnouts are $25!

[Chris333]

Only one way to know if the rolling stock will fit    build it.

[wcfn100]

If no one else chimes in, I can make a loop this weekend using R249 track and see what will run.  It it does what you want, you can have it.


Jason

[wcfn100]

Nevermind, I see it's the siding track you're asking about, I don't think I have any of the 8.5"


Jason

[tom mann]

Thanks for the offer, but yeah, the 8.5 is questionable.  My gut says "yes", mainly due to my experience with the HO Hinshaw valley and the amazing assortment of large equipment that runs on the 17" radius.

[tom mann]

Here is a cool little layout based on the UP Industrial District layout in the Oct 2001 MR. The back half of the layout is intended to be behind a backdrop, to minimize the roundy-roundy look. I simplified the plan a little to save 4 turnouts.

It fits into a 3x3' space.  Minimum radius is 249mm/~9.8".  Obviously, there are two gaps that would necessitate the use of some flex or shaping of Unitrack pieces.

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[tom mann]

Here is something more ambitious.  Based on @robwill84 and DKS' designs from here: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=32056.0

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Minimum radius is 8.5" and footprint is 2x3'.

[brokemoto]

Here is what will go around UNITRAM curves and the inner turnout.

Kato NW-2
Kato RS-2
Atlas FM roadswitcher
E-R Shark*
Atlas GP-7/GP-9
Atlas RS-1
B-mann 44 tonner
B-mann 70 tonner
MDC/Athearn 2-8-0
MDC/Athearn 2-6-0
B-mann 4-6-0**
B-mann 2-6-0***

*  Must body mount front coupler as truck mounted tongue will foul the pilot opening and cause a derailment.  The problem with that is that if you try to pull any rolling stock from the nose of the locomotive, the rolling stock will derail on so sharp a curve.
**Trainset version with original USRA standard tender swapped out for USRA switcher tender
***Will clear curves and switches, but when you try to operate it on more broad curves or straight after running it through the sharp curves, the mechanism will bind.

The UNITRAM curves are something like seven or six and one half inches at the sharpest.  The inner turnout is extremely sharp.  There are some problems running some of these locomotives across the diamonds in the UNITRAM turnout pieces, as the spacing on the insulated pieces seems ideal to cause a loss of contact on almost every locomotive that you try to run through them.   I find it necessary to run the   B-mann industrial switchers in pairs to get them through those turnouts.

The FM roadswitcher sometimes climbs those sharp curves/turnouts.  It does not always climb.  It does not derail or lose power, but you can hear its popping back onto the track.