HCD trackplan - make MR's Red Oak better!

[glakedylan]

got curious
decided my curiosity would only be dealt with by drawing the plan in ANYRAIL
using the original as a background to lay track as exact as possible upon the image
using Atlas code55
what I discovered
1. curves are, in places, less than 12" radius
2. there is no way to move the turnouts at top back further, the geometry just wont allow it
3. with the radius of curves being what it is in too many places one should not expect to run anything larger than 40' cars and 4 wheel locomotives
4. as always, MR's rendering is not a "to scale, exact track plan" as in being able to create it other than using flex for curves and then tight radius as such
here it is for what it is worth, track parts listed:

[davefoxx]

Can anyone explain why one would need that much staging for such a small layout?  Each of the industry sidings can handle 2-3 cars...

I'd use it to mix it up, so I wouldn't always be switching the same freight cars.  It would allow new cars to go online and space for cars on the layout to leave without having to get out the 0-5-0.

DFF

[Kentuckian]

I'm not saying there's not value in improving the track plan.   I think it's a great exercise.   But I just hope we don't "bury the lead" here.....we got an N-scale project layout!  Yay!   :

+1

[OldEastRR]

You could flip the branch into a mirror-image and make it a smaller oval inside the large mainline oval, instead of it being as is now a reversing loop balloon track. With a smaller radius and coming back to the backdrop a foot or so inbound of where the mainline doesand feeding into the staging area ladder, there'd be an endless loop to cycle any length train you want onto the branch staging then around out onto the visible main. No switchback to worry about.
With a hilly terrain situation, and a short distance between it and the main, the branch can be made to look NOT like a second track of the main line. This may not be as spiffy-looking as the original branch route looks with its different angle of approach, but the sacrifice of looks for operational flexibility may be desirable to the train ops person.

[davefoxx]

got curious
decided my curiosity would only be dealt with by drawing the plan in ANYRAIL
using the original as a background to lay track as exact as possible upon the image
using Atlas code55
what I discovered
1. curves are, in places, less than 12" radius
2. there is no way to move the turnouts at top back further, the geometry just wont allow it
3. with the radius of curves being what it is in too many places one should not expect to run anything larger than 40' cars and 4 wheel locomotives
4. as always, MR's rendering is not a "to scale, exact track plan" as in being able to create it other than using flex for curves and then tight radius as such
here it is for what it is worth, track parts listed:

Gary,

I think the turnout on each end of the mainline's staging is actually a curved turnout.  That will probably help you with the geometry.  According to the track plan in MR and online, the minimum radius is 13"

DFF

[glakedylan]

Dave,
yes on the curved turnouts at the top end of each side
only atlas code55 will not allow the geometry with the outer route of the turnout being 21" radius
if I were actually building I would use fast tracks 16/11" curved turnouts in those places
peco curved turnouts do not fare much better
but then, I have never known MR to provide an exact track plan for their work
they always have to be adapted
sincerely

[nkalanaga]

A suggestion for those who like the plan, but don't need/want a branchline junction:  Make the branchline staging an industry.  I've seen several small towns with one large industry on the edge of town.  In this case the industry would be a picture on the backdrop, with the siding behind it.

For those who've been there, one example is the AGP plant at 1815 St Highway 106, Mason City, IA.  A big plant, apparently a "soybean oil mill" according to online searches, served by the Iowa Traction electric railroad.  The railroad is on the north side of the road, the plant on the south side, and all there is to see is the plant and the track into it, as the end of the siding is hidden behind it.  It's perfect for a backdrop picture and a siding of whatever size one can fit.

Driving by I always wondered how that little railroad could supply enough cars for such a big plant, if it shipped entirely by rail.  Google Maps shows that the main rail service is on the south side, from another railroad, and the ITC track is basically an interchange track.  But it is in service, and the Google aerial and Street View pictures even show one of the freight motors.  So, here you have a major industry that can also double as an interchange track, can theoretically take almost any type of car, and needs only a photo to model.