Here we go again...

[John]

Michael - Please don't take this the wrong way - but you are getting some good suggestions, such as the "yard" that you would be advised to incorporate .. you need to stage trains some where .. even a shortline gets gazinzas, and gazoutas ..

At some point, you need to pull the trigger and decide on what you want to do .. endless revisions will do nothing but drive you crazy, and frustrate the "helpers" ..

[DKS]

If you'd like something approaching a "final" plan, here's something to try on for size. It features four well-separated developed areas ripe with opportunities for embellishment. Suggested track elevations and features are indicated.
 


By the way, as drawn, it requires ~75 sections of flex, 7 #7 left switches, 18 #7 right switches, 2 curved right switches, and 1 45-degree crossing.

[MichaelT]

Michael - Please don't take this the wrong way - but you are getting some good suggestions, such as the "yard" that you would be advised to incorporate .. you need to stage trains some where .. even a shortline gets gazinzas, and gazoutas ..

At some point, you need to pull the trigger and decide on what you want to do .. endless revisions will do nothing but drive you crazy, and frustrate the "helpers" ..

John I don't take it the wrong way whatsoever, and I apologize for being problematic. I am close to pulling the trigger...changing up benchwork tonight, and might even lay some roadbed before I quit for the evening !!

And yes, you're right, staging is key...I won't forget that this time around!

[MichaelT]

I'll share my thoughts with the group that I posted to you in a PM, Michael...



JUST BUILD IT!!!
 ;D

Ok ok.......

I got the benchwork additions where I want them, screwed in, leveled and supported. Luckily I had some sheet cork roadbed so I laid that down for the midpoint yard, gonna call that Roosevelt yard cause close to where I work is a small fiddle yard that backs up to Roosevelt Road. I got strip roadbed down from each end of the yard out a ways...but I need three turnouts to lay the yard track.

I'll get the turnouts from LHS tomorrow and should have the Roosevelt yard installed tomorrow evening (once I figure out what I'm going to use to throw the turnouts).

See? I'm goin......I'm buildin'..........   ;D ;D ;D

[DKS]

Just one more thing... photos, please!

[wm3798]

Yes.  David is compiling a portfolio so he can apply for a major government grant in layout design.

 

[DKS]

Yes.  David is compiling a portfolio so he can apply for a major government grant in layout design.

Right. Byron Henderson had better watch out...

[Hyperion]

David, thanks for the AnyRail suggestion.  Already like what I've seen with the few minutes I've been playing with it.  It's got the a lot more of the usability of a mainstream graphics software than the layout software I've tried in the past.

But, one thing about Michael's plan above:  is the yard on the left side supposed to be at +3?  I doubt you have it crossing at grade (hidden at that) with the lower level and the grade would be fairly steep to get to +3 just a few feet away.

[DKS]

= is the yard on the left side supposed to be at +3?  I doubt you have it crossing at grade (hidden at that) with the lower level and the grade would be fairly steep to get to +3 just a few feet away.

You're right, good catch. The closet yard should be +3.

[MichaelT]

Just one more thing... photos, please!

I will; I'll be out of town next week, but back on the 19th or 20th. After that I'll start snapping some pic's updating whats going on there.