Rebuilding the Puddington Valley - A Plan ?

[Puddington]

The river will have to "disappear" before reaching the siding on the left side. That siding is going to service my brewery....





The "old family brewery buildings" could be right near the river, like a old mil style building....

It may take some creative re-design but that will effectively "block" the rear mains from view, thus helping avoid the "twice through a scene" effect that some dislike.

[DKS]

I would humbly suggest that junction for the Engine Terminal be constructed as a wye, to enable access and egress from either direction, and to allow for the turning of locomotive sets:

Good suggestion. Only trouble is that siding down to the ferry. It'll need a crossing, which makes for a hairy bunch of trackwork there.

The river will have to "disappear" before reaching the siding on the left side. That siding is going to service my brewery....

How's this?

[GaryHinshaw]

Well, I'm late to the party, but I'd still question the use of space in this room before committing to a particular track arrangement.  Aside from all the shelving, the thing that really jumps out at me is the diagonal obstructions formed by the water heater and freezer.  (As nice as David's plan looks, there is still a big obstruction in the alcove.)  Any chance the freezer could be moved to between the heater & water heater?  Or at least just left of the water heater?  This would make aisle planning more straightforward.

BTW, here is some inspiration in the form of early-70s CP Rail in the interior:

http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=345477&nseq=0
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=343477&nseq=2
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=325939&nseq=5
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=318461&nseq=7
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=304575&nseq=13
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=304574&nseq=14
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=282385&nseq=20
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=277601&nseq=22
http://railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=276199&nseq=23

I heart BC 
-Gary

[Puddington]

Could the barge lead be moved further down towards the barge slip allowing a turn out to be placed on the main for the wye ? The barge slip needs only be 2" below the mains so the grade would still be acceptable...? Yes.... ? No....?

[Puddington]

Well, I'm late to the party, but I'd still question the use of space in this room before committing to a particular track arrangement.  Aside from all the shelving, the thing that really jumps out at me is the diagonal obstructions formed by the water heater and freezer.  (As nice as David's plan looks, there is still a big obstruction in the alcove.)  Any chance the freezer could be moved to between the heater & water heater?  -Gary

The freezer seems to bug people; it is not really an issue unless the door is open. The "south wall", which the freezer sits on has a pantry shelf on the right of it. It is only 16" deep and butts right up to the door to the room, which opens out. There is plenty of room for even a wide body like me to get in with the location of the bulb.

The house is a side split. The right "wall" indicates where the 4' tall crawl space portion of the utility room begins. At the northwest corner is located the furnace and heating system. There is actually 32" between the water heater tank and the face of the heating unit; there is no room to put anything in between. The "engine terminal" I plan would be a stand alone piece that could be moved for access to the heating unit and water heater. The space between the "bulb" and crawl spece will actually allow you to remove and "wiggle" the water heater tank out if required (It's only a year old so I'm hopin it lasts longer then a layout)

The "shelves" I will build over the left side will hold my train library, will be pre built and will have lighting under it so it will not interfer with anything.

The space will work for purposes of access; the Samule Ridge is about where the bulb is and we've been fine for years....now if I lost 50 lbs..................... ;D

[DKS]

Before getting into some of the other suggestions that have just come up, I'd like to offer up one of my own. Since you're relaying all of the original layout track, I thought it might be an opportunity to omit one thing that's bothered me--the inner loop. I'd also tighten up the tracks along the back, if possible, and eliminate one of the tunnels there. Just some more grist for the mill.



As for the barge siding, after having rendered the version with the crossing, I'm starting to like it. The siding could be moved, but then the spur midway along the current line would be much higher since its switch would be on the higher end of the grade. Might also make for more awkward switching, but I leave that to the ops folks.

I'm off to the Open House. No more revisions until much later, sorry to say.

[Puddington]

Not being a hand laying wizard (read "Ahhhhh no way !!!!!") We'd have to design the diamond with a standard Atlas code 55 crossover but I like the idea too; a well weathered, grassy diamond, has real scenic potential....

Eliminating the inner loop has been a "yes - no" item for me too; I like ti for the potential to run a small switching consist without invading the mains but from a scenic perspective it's lousy.... It also means some serious scenic rebuild on the existing tunnel.....I guess "in for a penny, in for a pound" should be the rule of the day, in as much as scenery doesn't daunt me that much.....

One issue I have always had, and it shows my poor track laying skills, how do you make a cross over using turnouts work, as you have to isolate the diverting tracks with isolation joiner ( yes; DCC people can now cringe.......) I always find that I get track misalignment at the cross over.... any ideas ?

[93cram]

Eliminating the inner loop has been a "yes - no" item for me too; I like ti for the potential to run a small switching consist without invading the mains but from a scenic perspective it's lousy....

Mike, FWIW, I do agree with that

[Puddington]

Just trying to envision the engine terminal with the wye; it does create some interesting issues. The terminal will be modeled on the CPR facility at Nelson BC; a engine facility right in the middle of the mountains, beside a lake....



It has to be "movable"....and ideas ?

[Puddington]

It just occurred to me that the engine facility cuts off access to the mill for manual switching ( I plan to use manual throws wherever possible; saves money and adds "realistic flavour" - I like Lee's micro switch with pull rod concept).... Rats !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Puddington]

The lead that will feed the brewery siding; could it be changed to have a turn out that feeds the brewery and bring the lead over to feed the "Cherry" facility (the yellow building on the Samuel Ridge picture) on the exisitng layout. Currently it is feed off the spur that comes off the inner loop; it's the reverse move that I don't like. If we fed it off the brewery siding that would leave just the two industires on the inner loop siding, would make that brewery siing longer and would allow me to switch two industries off it, and two off the inner loop lead.... or have I confues everyone...?

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm not crazy about hidden staging but it's going to have to work. I think the diagram that Skipgear drew is perfect and exactly what I have envisioned.

Instead of "hidden", think "accessible"

I access some of mine by using a removable road...







It doesn't have to be a road.  Could be an extruded foam scenery item.

[Puddington]

Like this ?

[Puddington]

Similar idea Michael; I was going to leave it "open" at the top because i didn't think that I needed to cover it as the mountain wall and trees will provide cover; and if I use "spy cam's" to monitor the area then light will be an issue, but i may put foam based covers on it - I will see when I get building.

[MichaelWinicki]

Since you're relaying all of the original layout track, I thought it might be an opportunity to omit one thing that's bothered me--the inner loop.

Great suggestion David.

A more realistic plan without the inner loop.