Thanks, David. I'm installing that as we speak.
In the meantime, I tricked SCARM into helping me get this draft whipped up, by basically laying in sections to determine radii and turnout locations, then basically deleting straight tracks and intermediate curves so I'd keep the placement, and get a few "free" tracks to use on the next section.
Here's the way too big and too complex result... but it has all the elements I want, and many that are already incorporated into the existing rough draft layout...
Yes, there's a lot going on here, but that's what I want.
As drawn, this would require basically a 4x8, which I know isn't practical on numerous levels, not the least of which I don't have room for one.
With some modifications, I think I can squish it down to a 36" HCD and keep most of the operational elements.
For instance, the left side is basically what I have existing on a 36" platform, with the addition of the third track through the station on the outside. I can overhang the HCD a bit, I think, and get away with it, so that addition shouldn't be a deal breaker. The bigger issue is the overall length, but in looking at it, I'm sure I can truncate the necessary 10" to 12" of length to get it down to 80"... although again, a small overhang of 4" to 6" in that direction isn't the end of the world either.
Here's the logic for the design.
A. It's okay to be "model railroady" because ... well... it's a model railroad.
B. I want to have several places where trains can be parked and/or staged. From an operations standpoint, this would add some interest to playing trains, and from a logistics standpoint, I can change trains with less shuffling of boxes and handwork.
C. I want to use my old Laurel Valley turntable, which is long enough to handle my old Rivarossi steam, and a pair of A-A f-units with a little bit of overhang. This will give me more flexibility with the train changing part of operating the layout, as well as provide a safe haven for displaying the Retro Fleet. I'm sure I can compact the roundhouse to conserve space. The turntable is scratchbuilt and completely manual, so I'm not beholden to any pre-set geometry.
D. I want a small yard, enough to stash a few cars, but one that can function to build and sort trains when I'm feeling the need for a switch list. I've rearranged the switch lead to run to the inside track at the right side, so I can bump cars without fouling the mains.
E. The middle track in the station area dumps out to either the inner or outer mains. This will be where the 0-5-0 will add or remove cars for trains moving in either direction. I'm sure I'll include a rerailer in this section to ease that operation. It will require a reversing switch in order to go either way.
F. There is a branch line the peels off the upper industrial track, and provides service to potentially 7 sidings, plus the engine terminal. I'll use some old Trix snap track with the tight curves to make that work. I envision using either the Trix FM switchers I have, or perhaps a double headed tank engine switcher to move cars up and down the hill. (Note that all of the switching is on the aisle side, except for the coal mine/quarry spurs at the back. I may have to rethink that one, but it's a good spot for it visually.)
G. I'm utilizing the right hand return loop to provide a staging siding where I just park one train while I run the other three.
Control, will of course, be DC cab control, so I'll need to work out a couple of DPDTs to make it all functional, and get a third throttle to operate the yard/branch line while the two mains are churning away.
I'm showing Atlas long #6 switches for the main line crossovers, I recognize that space limitations may have to sacrifice them in favor of #4s.
I'm planning to use 2" foam laminated to the door panel, including under the industrial scene at the front, so the elevations would be +2 there, then +4 at the main line level. Depending on how it works out, I may nudge the coal mine/quarry tracks up another 1/2" or so. I envision the mains being dead level (the curves and switches will give the engines enough to worry about) with the only substantial grade being the slope from the junction down to the switching district. This will only be run as an out and back, and the siding at the bottom will allow me to double up trains need be.
The goal for this will be to achieve a high degree of finish, build reliable controls, and make it fit into my office like a nice piece of furniture, as well as be somewhat portable for the day when we have a more dedicated hobby space in our life.
I'm going to work on refining it in "Anyrail" now that it's downloaded, to see just how much of this I can actually make work.
Lee
