Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

what music is that ??

Some tune called "Underdog" by The 126ers that I found on YouTube while editing that happened to come close to matching the length of the video.

DFF

[davefoxx]

@davefoxx that's a great video. Not only does it showcase some awesome locks doing their thing, but it's a great overall shot of the whole railroad. It really shows how various parts relate to each other.

Thanks, @Philip H!  It also shows how little I've done on the layout lately.   

Honestly, I'm in a quandary.  I've become seriously disappointed with a portion of my layout, namely, Hamlet Yard.  I'm considering ripping it out and enlarging the small staging yards into a much larger yard that would feed the SBD mainline with a wye.  I think my layout is too small for an operating online classification yard.  The prototype Hamlet Yard is a monster hump yard that feeds four or five mainlines coming in from all different directions.  My model does not do it justice.  I also need a much larger engine facility.  I could use the space that is currently Hamlet Yard for a nice scenic spot, visible as soon as you enter the layout room, or I could add a few industries.  I wouldn't mind borrowing an idea from @Ed Kapuscinski and modeling a "negative space" scene.  I dunno.

DFF

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Wow.
Pretty sure I've sat at a crossing waiting for that train to pass.
N-pressive!

[crrcoal]

That was outstanding Dave! Also loved the overall shot as it really put the layout into perspective.

[Philip H]

Honestly, I'm in a quandary.  I've become seriously disappointed with a portion of my layout, namely, Hamlet Yard.  I'm considering ripping it out and enlarging the small staging yards into a much larger yard that would feed the SBD mainline with a wye.  I think my layout is too small for an operating online classification yard.  The prototype Hamlet Yard is a monster hump yard that feeds four or five mainlines coming in from all different directions.  My model does not do it justice.  I also need a much larger engine facility.  I could use the space that is currently Hamlet Yard for a nice scenic spot, visible as soon as you enter the layout room, or I could add a few industries.  I wouldn't mind borrowing an idea from @Ed Kapuscinski and modeling a "negative space" scene.  I dunno.

DFF

So, pondering this while priming the new hallway ceiling this AM, I think you need to sit down an do some sort of layout analysis. Perhaps a simple Givens and Druthers list, perhaps something more involved. I'm a big fan of both your willingness to change and your changes, but to this point those changes have generally been organic and ad hoc. That's not bad for an HCD empire, but you are at the bulky out stage, so future changes need a tad more thought.

If the real Hamlet is a monster hump yard, I can certainly see why this version disappoints. And I know you are a yard ops nut - dare I say it almost @Ed Kapuscinski like in your willingness and abilities - so not having the space for a proper yard could be grating. Can you build an ops scheme for the layout using your existing staging and tearing Hamlet out? What do you gain if you do? Perhaps more importantly what do you loose?

[davefoxx]

@Philip H,

You hit the nail on the head.  My problem comes out if the desire to expand the original HCD layout.  Any significant changes, as I am contemplating might be better made by starting completely over rather than continue try to overcome the deficiencies of the HCD expansion.  Let's face it, an around the room layout could allow longer passing sidings and larger minimum radius curves, not to mention a more efficient yard and staging.

The disadvantages: the expense of starting over, although I could recycle a lot from the existing layout.  I could even go back to just using the original HCD layout while construction went on.  I also would have the expense of finishing out the room, though.  I'm not sure how well this would go over with my wife.

I'll get some room measurements and we can have some fun, regardless of whether I actually pull the trigger on this.

Thanks,
DFF

[MVW]

@Philip H,

I'll get some room measurements and we can have some fun, regardless of whether I actually pull the trigger on this.

Thanks,
DFF

Please do. I love watching a plan evolve. And this part is free!

Jim

[davefoxx]

Here's what I have to work with.  I have allowed for new 2"x4" walls and drywall, where necessary (along the three exterior walls).  I'll add my list of givens and druthers later.



DFF

[wm3798]

I'll have the room in 3D as soon as I can... 

[eric220]

In your givens/druthers, be sure to include rules for the water heater and adjacent shelves (can the tracks go over/through/in front of).

[davefoxx]

In your givens/druthers, be sure to include rules for the water heater and adjacent shelves (can the tracks go over/through/in front of).

If we're dreaming big, the water heater is moved.  In a money-saving project, I would just have to slim the benchwork to approximately 12" above and behind it, as the staging yard shelf is now.

The adjacent shelves will be moved at a minimum and quite possibly decommissioned and disassembled.  They came with the house, and I don't like them.  So, ignore them.  The floorspace in the plan above includes the water heater but does not include the shelves.  That notch in the bottom right corner of the plan is an existing wall.

Here's an old picture showing that wall, i.e., sadly, the room is not rectangular:



DFF

[eric220]

Ah, that grey box in the lower right of the plan is actually a bump-out in the wall, not the shelves. So that's impenetrable.

[C855B]

At least judging from the photos, moving that water heater would be a piece of cake. I could get 'er done in about an hour, plus or minus the two day drive from here to there. If you do move it, of course be sensitive to access should it need servicing or replacing.

Plan B is to just wrap a helix around it.

[davefoxx]

Ah, that grey box in the lower right of the plan is actually a bump-out in the wall, not the shelves. So that's impenetrable.

Yeppers.

[davefoxx]

At least judging from the photos, moving that water heater would be a piece of cake. I could get 'er done in about an hour, plus or minus the two day drive from here to there. If you do move it, of course be sensitive to access should it need servicing or replacing.

Plan B is to just wrap a helix around it.

On the other side of that wall is an enclosed space under the basement steps (great access, though).  Unless there's some sort of code against it, it would be a perfect spot for the water heater, especially, if I hit it rich and could put a tankless water heater in.  In fact, look at the picture in my earlier post today: the pipes and electrical service come from that side of the wall!

I'm actually tempted to move it myself, because I believe I could learn to sweat copper pipe (I know, the pipe must be drained dry), but it will be a pain to drain the tank.  I have no sump pump in the basement crock, so I don't know how I would easily drain it.

Oh, and Mike, you're welcome to visit anytime.   

DFF