Small little Trackplans, DKS Style

[Chris333]

Don't forget wye turnouts. David used a few on the HMR layout.

[randgust]

One more notable addition to your power list is just about anything built on a Kato 11-105 "critter" chassis (they are only 27' long and pretty much the same size as a 44-tonner) and several of the shorter Tomytec mechanisms.

I do agree that the best 'out of the box' power for something like that is likely the Bachmann 44/70 tonner, not only will it take sharp curves but it has good low speed, pickup, and tractive effort for its size.

At 18x36 my HVRR module still qualifies and I've never seen anybody else get a stacked loop-to-loop in that size and make it work reliably, it's now been operating since 1975 with 7 1/2" Trix R1 switches and 4% grades.    That's my test bed. http://www.pbase.com/atsf_arizona/image/137618527

   I've even run the Atlas shay on it, very, very slowly, and the Atlas 2-6-0, Rapido 2-6-0, several 0-6-0T's, the Bachmann 4-4-0, and the Atlas 4-4-0 with modifications.    The trick on these isn't just curvature, it's creeping speed and electrical reliability at low speed.   Flywheels won't help, 8x8 pickup is a must.  Most of the power I run on these has been converted to gearheads to get reliable slow speed.

Also look at the Peco ST sharp switches, very well made and while insulated frog, the frog is so short that it causes few problems.

Trix made a 7 1/2 / 9" curved turnout that was a real savior for planning  ("R1 + R2"), I've used them on my current Ross Run logging module, but they are a challenge for pickup as they have a powered frog that has a strip across the bottom to do it, and rather fuzzy frog dimensions as well.  Hard to find, but they do exist and are available.  https://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/739-14956

This module concept http://www.randgust.com/ROSSRUN1.JPG  is now partially sceniced and I'll probably be running it at Bedford again this year:  http://www.randgust.com/RossRunPlan1.jpg
I expanded the curves out to 9" on that one to make the Atlas Shay happier; it is 21x42 inches.  Plugs right on the end of the HVRR to provide logging operations for the mill scene, or operates stand-along logging to log pond.

If you're ever looking for a prototype for designs that are as tight as the DKS masterpiece, look no further than Lowell, MA, where they threaded track down every alley and across the canals to get in where the railroad was an afterthought.   It's still amazing to look at.   Those trolley tracks were all B&M standard gauge spurs, for the most part, ducking between buildings and into coal pockets.   This is historic B&M, not recreated trolley - and this is typical of the incredible switches, bridges, and curves there:  http://www.gomacotrolley.com/Resources/photos/openstyle/Lowell.jpg

The 'carbarn' used to the be the coal pocket spur for this building - remember everything started in Lowell as water power, so threading tracks in to buildings to deliver steam coal and cotton took some creativity: http://www.thesteelrailsadvocate.com/Street%20Car%20Photos/Boston-Lowell/Lowell_7sm--800.jpg

[tom mann]

So I did manage to get some Unitrack and I'm happy to report that even IM Trinity hoppers with Z scale body mounted couplers don't have an issue with the 8.5" radius.

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[randgust]

Hey Tom, here's your layout.....

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=339228&nseq=2

[tom mann]

Very cool! Looks like a model (just need a guy changing a flat, two guys putting up a new billboard, and a funny industry name).

[chicken45]

Very cool! Looks like a model (just need a guy changing a flat, two guys putting up a new billboard, and a funny industry name).

They really should have Woodland Scenics as their one stop shop.

[Dave V]

Needs a missile car and a shack where a dude pops out with a lantern.  You can even field-strip some code 80 flextrack and run a third rail down the middle of the Unitrack.

[Chris333]

When does track laying start? 

[basementcalling]

So one thing I've been wanted to do is take DKS' Trenton concept and "enlarge" it to use 9 3/4" minimum curves.  EDIT: note that I also got rid of the run-around track that DKS had. This is what you get:

(Attachment Link)

It fits nicely in a 24" x 40" foot print.  Amazing how much bigger it becomes, but I think you could run some nice looking equipment and 50' body mounted coupler cars and therefore I think it's worth it.  I also like how those two tracks become close together and "yardish".

You'll have to run trains really quickly to jump that gap at the bottom (a la what 70s/80s Tyco would want you to do!)*.

*or cut a piece of 124mm track.

I dunno Tom. I'm sure you could work so e scenic magic, and Ed's Law probably applies, but how common are two almost completely parallel tracks that start from that type  of separated configuration?

What industy would use it? I could maybe see team tracks, or industy buildings on either side, but filling that crescent shaped area would be tough.

[Kisatchie]

Hey Tom, here's your layout.....

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=339228&nseq=2

Wow, I saw that in person the last time I visited my brother in Portland, Oregon. I couldn't believe my eyes.


Hmm... yeah, Kiz left me
home alone and forgot to
unlock the banana stash...

[eja]

Keep Portland Weird is almost a required manta, but I like it. 

It's also fun to be walking on Steel Bridge while an Amtrak  passenger, UP freight of P&W local passes by you by about 8 feet away.

Dang, I wish the kids hadn't moved away !


PS: Sorry about the bananas, Dee

[tom mann]

This is about as far as I got:

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[tom mann]

So I took the advice earlier and abandoned the parallel track concept.  I'm at the point that I'm placing in buildings and seeing what I should kitbash. The tight radius curves make the industries look larger, in my opinion. 

[OldEastRR]

You should think about keeping the streets and buildings parallel on a grid, even if the tracks aren't.

[Chris333]

I like how the road dips down instead of up. And is that the mainline running thru the building in the back