Need help planning a Station in a 18"X15' space

[CodyO]

Here1s where I`m stuck at I want a run though or at least partial run though station in the bottom space I wish for the mainline to run around it towards the front of the deck

I want this to be very operational with a single requirement a single track 106" long for the Broadway Limited
I`m thinking it should be a partially underground station with the station on top of the tracks and most of the switches exposed
Hoping to swamp out engines headend and sleeper cars in this space
I can also send anyone who wishes the XTC file

 

[CodyO]

Played around with it for a few hours
 
actually like it its not all that bad could also be a Stub terminal but idk if I want to go that route

[kelticsylk]

I think it's workable. Here is an image of PRR/Amtrak 30th Street station in Philly for comparison...

It looks complex but not really, The actual station tracks are pretty simple. You could use just these on your layout. The other tracks are the service facilities for diesel and electric locomotives. The tracks that cross over from the East are tracks to the suburban station which is on the stations upper floor.

One thing you might want to do is to also model the suburban tracks that cross the Corridor. Not as actual operating tracks, but just as scenery. Maybe place an RDC at the suburban station.

Frank Musick

Frank Musick

[eric220]

Cody, I would take a step back and think about what you're trying to model. Unless I just don't understand the area, Pittston would likely have been a commuter station with little more than a station and platform on the edge of the tracks. You're trying to create something completely fictional out of a vacuum instead of starting with a need or scenario and building ops to support it.

I think you've got a great passenger ops opportunity to the south. If I'm reading your map correctly, the lines from New York and Philly come together at Allentown.



I would seriously consider using that as the basis for your passenger station. Those lines could be represented by the tracks from your helix meeting the lines running in a loop around the upper level. You could run meets where sections from New York and Philly are combined into a single train for the run north to Buffalo and split up for the run south. Since there's already switching occurring here, it would make sense that a post office Area Distribution Center and/or REA equivelant would be established at that location. Trains would all be through, so there likely wouldn't be set out tracks for diners or lounges; they would just be serviced from the platform.

[eric220]

Here's a thought.  The helix comes up between the upper level loops, and the freight runarounds split around the passenger station.  The rear freight runaround ducks down under the station tracks.

[CodyO]

Thanks a bunch to eric here`s my new plan

overall super happy with it just might need a few minor tweaks first time in a long while I`m happy with a plan for up here
It will be an underground station in Bethlehem PA
this is where trains from Philly and Trains from New York will combine to travel north to pittston and Buffalo NY

[eric220]

Here's a couple of other ideas.  I wanted to better approximate the idea that the upper level loops and the helix represent the lines coming from New York and Philadelphia.  I started by repositioning the ladders so that each platform serves one line.  Next, I added crossovers on the left, eliminating the need for a second runaround.

First up is a riff on the first one, with one platform serving eastbound traffic, and the other serving westbound traffic. The four dashed lines can be eliminated, but provide runarounds and better through-freight traffic patterns.  The two on the far left also allow the left side of the passenger station to be worked while freights run continuously on the loops.



Second is an alternate arrangement for the ladder on the left.  This repositions the helix tracks so that they are inside the loop tracks.  In this arrangement, one platform serves the Philadelphia line, and the other serves the New York line.

[LKOrailroad]

Be careful not to create an evil S curve with the double crossover being so close to the curve.

[DKS]

Be careful not to create an evil S curve with the double crossover being so close to the curve.

Careful planning can avoid this problem.

[CodyO]

Slight problem guys I told eric the helix climbed counterclockwise when it actually climbs clockwise so the helix tracks aren`t on this side by the station there actually above this in the top side this may make things easier though but it does force me to change the side my reversing loop is on Just going to keep on playing at it loving the designs though

[CodyO]

Here`s a plan I came up with tonight It can still be ironed out but I`m calling it quits for the night, Most of it will be underground i`m thinking the shortest track on westbound and eastbound sides can be for unloading Boxcars and mail/baggage cars
I thought 18' would be more than enough space but it seems I was wrong a stub station would give me more room but I dont think I would be happy with a stub station plan



Merry Christmas everyone!

[CodyO]

Been playing with it more but I`m too tired I need to sleep so here`s where I stopped

I`m planning on using this station the tracks you see will still run underground but then there will be a 4 track commuter line(Or the tracks from Philly) using the station at above street level
http://www.trixtrains.com/new09/2011newitems.html


The bottom 2 tracks will be a freight run around that will disappear behind a back drop
I`m not sure on how all my sidings should be but I want RPO and REA ops too

[eric220]

Here's another idea.  It requires two custom-built curved turnouts, one on each side.  Operationally, one platform serves the Philly line, the other the NY line.



On the left side tracks from the lower platform platform feed back into the upper level mains, and tracks from the upper platform feed into a return loop that runs back past the station.  (The return loop would represent either the NY or Philly line, and the upper level mains the other.)  On the right, all of the platform tracks and the runaround from the return loop feed back into the upper level mains.  Each platform includes a runaround that allows head-end cars to be worked from either end.  The smaller runaround on the right allows a locomotive to line up correctly to work the two stub yards (which could actually be connected underneath the city, if you want) for the REA and Post Office.  The REA and Post Office buildings would be at street level with underground tracks.

Edit:  Added a crossover at the reversing loop to allow freights to use the loop and still bypass the passenger station.

[CodyO]

Thanks a bunch eric! now I just got to export it to XtrckCAD

Really like it and will meet my operation requirements!

[eric220]

A thought occurs. If you're going to be combining/splitting trains, you might want to add an engine pocket or two. The left end of the two innermost platform tracks seem logical spots.