NKP-ish

[Missaberoad]

The defining factor in the cost of a shapeways product is the volume of the final print. Something as large as a coaling tower would be quite pricey...

Here's one in a cheaper material (white strong and flexible) that is 180$. No idea what FUD or FXD would cost.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/RPCAQTSFM/michigan-city-coal-tower-n-scale?optionId=37875071

[nickelplate759]

I was referring to the cost of developing the product, not the finished product, in my question.  I've no idea what development costs are.   Regarding production, it occurs to me that this coaling tower consist in large part of a plain cylinder.  Clearly making the cylinder in FXD (or even FUD) is expensive; might it be possible to use a piece of PVC pipe? and cut the cost way down?

George

[Specter3]

Couldnt you design it to use a piece of pvc for the round silo part and RP the rest of it? Would definitely cut down the volume.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Couldnt you design it to use a piece of pvc for the round silo part and RP the rest of it? Would definitely cut down the volume.

I was coming to this thread to specifically make that point.

3D print what you must, use other media for the rest.

[OldEastRR]

To switch from 3D manufacturing back to the junction in question ....some questions before I can rattle off any comments.
Does the LH side of the layout front onto a wide aisle or open area?
Is the basic premise for the junction two diverging single lines come from one direction, cross over,  interchange with each other, and go into double-track going the same direction?  And one single line has two double mains it can switch onto? It's what that kinda looks like is happening now.
How frequently would the industry spurs coming off this junction be switched?
Do you want a "puzzle switch" arrangement, or something a prototypical railroad would build? Some people like complicated switching complexes, find them fun. Some don't.

Like the fake-out track you included, to give the illusion the line goes straight through the underpass. I am trying to make 2 of them on my current layout.

[nickelplate759]

To switch from 3D manufacturing back to the junction in question ....some questions before I can rattle off any comments.
Does the LH side of the layout front onto a wide aisle or open area?
Is the basic premise for the junction two diverging single lines come from one direction, cross over,  interchange with each other, and go into double-track going the same direction?  And one single line has two double mains it can switch onto? It's what that kinda looks like is happening now.
How frequently would the industry spurs coming off this junction be switched?
Do you want a "puzzle switch" arrangement, or something a prototypical railroad would build? Some people like complicated switching complexes, find them fun. Some don't.

Like the fake-out track you included, to give the illusion the line goes straight through the underpass. I am trying to make 2 of them on my current layout.

It's in a 9.5' x 10' space, so the left hand side is against a wall.  the only entrance to the space is in the upper right of the diagrams.
Logically, the Branch starts in hidden staging at the upper right of the plan, crossess the main at lower left, goes up a grade and ends at the interchange at the upper right, directly above the staging yard.
The Main is an oval (with hidden staging on the left).

The junction in question is where the branch crosses the leads off the main to the yard and engine terminal.  I'm pretty sure that if such a junction existed in the prototype it would NOT have a double slip switch, but would be much longer than I have space for.  My version is pretty cramped.

I'm quite proud of the underpass+fake-out-track idea, and hoping it works as well as I anticipate.  A key to making it work is that there will be no place to get a sight-line through the underpass (which is good, because there will actually be trains there).

George

[Specter3]

I am having a hard time understanding the switching issue. In this pic the red line is the back main. The blue line is the front main and the green is the brqnch. Is this correct?

[Specter3]

Another thing is how far the power has to travel to hook up in the yard. The yellow line on this one.

[OldEastRR]

If those are hidden staging yards under the branch up against the back wall you are heading for a world of heartache operation. That is, if everything in the drawing in faint lines is lower level and the heavy lines are upper level? If so how does that work out for the complex of track in the upper right corner?
As to that area, no need for a runaround track there since all the switches are facing points. Delete that and you save 2 switches and make it a single track branch the whole length.
What you have here looks like a simple oval as a main, stretched out, with a provision to become a figure 8 by using a crossing in the center. That allows you to use either loop end as a reversing loop. At least how I read the plan.  And the branch doesn't come out of the crossing/junction, but splits off one main, never enters the junction, but swings away from it?
I don't know ... having industrial area trackage sticking into a busy mainline junction sounds a little dangerous for a real railroad. But if you like complicated switching situations then it seems to fit the bill. It's your model, after all.

[nickelplate759]

Yes, those are meant to be hidden staging areas.  The idea is to either leave them uncovered or cover them with easily removable scenery.  I may choose to simplify them in the end.

George

[nickelplate759]

I am having a hard time understanding the switching issue. In this pic the red line is the back main. The blue line is the front main and the green is the brqnch. Is this correct?
...
Another thing is how far the power has to travel to hook up in the yard. The yellow line on this one.

Close.   The main is blue here, the branch (a.k.a. back main) is green.  Note it crosses the main and then goes up towards the interchange at the to of the picture.
Yellow shows one path from the yard to the engine service area. Your comment on engine access to the other end of the yard is well taken, I'll think about some changes..
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

George

[Specter3]

This drawing program is difficult to use well but here is some thought. Shift the coaling tower a bit right and bring the tracks to meet the yard ladder. Move the junction of the branch line to the blue circle. It becomes the centerpiece of the layout. Give it some storage tracks and a track to have the locals leave cars for each other. The industrial park can be served either by trackage rights or by the branch. The light green is a lead for the yard. It runs into the branch which is a problem unless the story is the main line just interchanges here and this is the headquarters of the branch railroad.

[Specter3]

Here is more of what I was thinking. At the big computer now so it is easier to see. The junction is moved so it all happens in one place and there are storage tracks there for setting cars off for either railroad to pick up. There is now a direct route for power to get to either end of the yard. You have a drill track in purple for sorting cuts of cars. The red line is the arrival track where the loco can pull in and escape. You can serve your industries from either railroad with the green or yellow line. Could be both.

[nickelplate759]

Interesting idea.  As you said, this works if the engine terminal and yard belongs to what i called the branch, which was not my original intention, but not if it belongs to what I was calling the main.
On the plus side, it makes the primary railroad of the layout what was the  (point-to-point) branch, and gives it two interchanges as well.  .    The secondary railroad is now the oval part of the layout, with poor  access to the engine terminal or yard, but with a little interchange yard.  Trains on this line would essentially be moving scenery rather than the focus of the layout.

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll have to give it some thought.

Hmmm...

George

[Specter3]

Its just a suggestion. After all which rule is it that says it's your railroad, do what you want.