HCD Layout

[vt_railroad_guy]

I'm planning a layout based on the tried and true Carolina Central.  Here is a rough (VERY) sketch of what I want.  It's single track with a small yard and a passing track.  I plan to run trains of 10-12 cars, so the yard should allow me to park a couple of trains on either the main or the inside track/lead when not in use as well as double trains together from the yard tracks.  Both sides will be sceniced and devided by a small forested line of hills.  I want a town on one end of the layout and forested river crossings on the other end.  Atlas code 55 with 12.5 minimum mainline radius and #7 turnouts.  What do you all think? 


JDB

[MichaelWinicki]

Not bad at all...

I would consider #7's on the main, but for the yard and the industrial area #5's would create longer tracks.

I don't have a problem with any of my loco's navigating #5's. 

Also having a few #5's make the #7's look that much larger– creates a nice contrast.

You may also want to throw a Y switch in there... They yield an interesting look.

[davefoxx]

Good choice for a HCD layout plan.  Here's one I built several years ago, which is somewhat similar to your plan in that I also increased staging on the backside of the layout.  I also tacked on a 12" x 80" HCD for even more staging:



I used all #5 turnouts (except for one wye) to save space, because, like Michael, I haven't had any problem with my trains navigating them.

Have fun!
Dave Foxx

EDIT: Oh, by the way, the passing sidings on my layout were capable of holding trains that consisted of two four-axle locomotives and ten freight cars.  Hopefully that will give you an idea of what is possible.

[vt_railroad_guy]

I am no stranger to your work, Dave.  I hope my first attempt at scenery turns out half as well as yours did!

[davefoxx]

Thank you very much.  You're very kind.  I would have thought that people would have started forgetting about that old layout, since I gave it away over two years ago and I haven't been able to add much to Weekend Editions for quite some time.

I look forward to starting a new layout in the New Year, once my wife and I move out of our townhome and into a more appropriately-sized residence for our needs.  I'm also planning to go the HCD route again.  Has its limitations, sure, but it works well for me.

DFF

[vt_railroad_guy]

Yeah, My wife and I just had out third child in May, so I know about space limitations.

I forgot to mention, I am modeling the Bangor and Aroostook in northern maine.  It seems t be a seldom modeled road and has an interesting mix of equipment.

JDB

[davefoxx]

Yeah, My wife and I just had out third child in May, so I know about space limitations.

Congratulations!  My first daughter is due on December 8th but could come any day now! 

I forgot to mention, I am modeling the Bangor and Aroostook in northern maine.  It seems t be a seldom modeled road and has an interesting mix of equipment.

I look forward to your progress.  I know very little about the BAR, and I'm always interested to learn something about railroads I know little about.  Please keep us updated.  When do you plan to start?

[Philip H]

Thank you very much.  You're very kind.  I would have thought that people would have started forgetting about that old layout, since I gave it away over two years ago and I haven't been able to add much to Weekend Editions for quite some time.

I look forward to starting a new layout in the New Year, once my wife and I move out of our townhome and into a more appropriately-sized residence for our needs.  I'm also planning to go the HCD route again.  Has its limitations, sure, but it works well for me.

DFF

I smell a work party . . . .

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

[vt_railroad_guy]

Congratulations!  My first daughter is due on December 8th but could come any day now! 

I look forward to your progress.  I know very little about the BAR, and I'm always interested to learn something about railroads I know little about.  Please keep us updated.  When do you plan to start?

Yeah, the last few weeks are a killer!  We didn't find out the sex with the girls, but we did with the boy this year.  Having done it both ways, I would highly recommend not finding out in the future

I hope to start in the next few weeks, just as soon as I deicide on the final plan.  I have been using Right Track and I'm getting close.

[DKS]

In order to retain the features of the original sketch, you may need to get comfy with curved switches. The alternative is tighter curves and shorter staging tracks.

[chuck geiger]

DKS great plan taking for one of the phases of The SD&AE

[vt_railroad_guy]

In order to retain the features of the original sketch, you may need to get comfy with curved switches. The alternative is tighter curves and shorter staging tracks.

Your drawing is much better then mine

My latest version looks very much like this in Right Track.  What radius do I need to use to transition from the curved turnout to the yard ladder to get straight tracks using #5 switches.  That's the main reason I am looking at #7 switches, because they give me a nice straight ladder off the curved turnout in the upper left.

[DKS]

All of the non-curved switches are #5. The curved track leading off the curved switch at the upper left is 12.5 inches. All of the straight tracks in the yard are straight; nothing funky going on.

Everything about the design is straightforward; the only eyeballed curves are the two parallel tracks along the front, and the sidings.

[wcfn100]

Are you sure David?  That joint with the curved turnout does look funky. And at the other end the the yard the bottom track looks like it's flexed going into the curved turnout on that end as well.

Just illusions?

Regardless, with the inside radius of the curved turnout being 15" you could always use that.  And the #5 turnout leaves plenty of tail track to cut for any adjustments.

Jason

[DKS]

Just illusions?

Yep.