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

[CodyO]

Ok eric I kinda made/ modified your plan a bit so far this is how it looks



I was thinking of a spot to park GG1`s an Electric Locomotive shop would be great!With a small switcher area above  for diesel switchers (No brass DD1 )

diesel/ pocket tracks on the left both 20" long


EDIT:here`s how it all goes together after I played with it a bit more with my dads help

[eric220]

I'd vote against the electric shop. You've already got a lot going on there. Also, I think it will look crammed in next to that massive station complex.

[DKS]

The throat on the left looks as though it has some potential S-turn issues, plus it seems a bit rectilinear; I wonder if it could be smoothed out, like this--

[CodyO]

Only reason I was thinking of an electric shop was I want an area to park my GG1`s when not in service and thought it may look cool next to a massive station 

David thanks That does look a little smoother

BTW I`ll be using Peco code 80 turnouts in the station and for most of the turnouts on this level

[DKS]

I think the shop would look fine. Places like this are usually packed in pretty tight. Maybe slide the shop to the right and angle it in the corner a little.

[eric220]

If you are going to include the shop, I would suggest switching the placement of the turnouts to the shop and the lower runaround.  Operations would probably be a little smoother if a locomotive on the runaround had direct access into the shop without having to make a switchback.  The other option would be to combine them into a slip switch.  As long as it's not underground, it should be workable.

[DKS]

If you are going to include the shop, I would suggest switching the placement of the turnouts to the shop and the lower runaround.  Operations would probably be a little smoother if a locomotive on the runaround had direct access into the shop without having to make a switchback.  The other option would be to combine them into a slip switch.  As long as it's not underground, it should be workable.

Agree with Eric on this. Also, I would put a pair of crossovers between the two center tracks in the drawing I posted, so that the two engine service tracks are not isolated from one another.

[CodyO]

I was thinking with the engine service tracks would be isolated from each other to allow longer length and cut down on switches and as that area won`t be the easiest to reach anyway
Each one would serve a platform though it is possible to connect them  just trying to keep switch numbers low

Slip switch could work would have to be a custom build and understand how that will help with ops
It will be just outside the underground so shouldn`t be much of a problem just have to figure out the custom switch angles and such
Trying to have the tracks 30" long so I can have a nice long building for the GG`s  and like the angled idea!

[DKS]

I'm wondering about the pair of two-track stub end sidings at each end of the station, at the bottom of the plan. I have a feeling if they were connected, they'd enhance ops. Maybe...

I was thinking with the engine service tracks would be isolated from each other to allow longer length

I meant, to the right of the ladders, at the platform ends, not to the left.

[CodyO]

I'm wondering about the pair of two-track stub end sidings at each end of the station, at the bottom of the plan. I have a feeling if they were connected, they'd enhance ops. Maybe...

I was thinking of connecting them BUT they`ll be under the city so wont be easy to access

I meant, to the right of the ladders, at the platform ends, not to the left.

Again will be under the city plus that would take away from the platform length though I do have a few inches to spare and if I took that 6" off that edge of the city I could fit a crossover was also thinking a turntable to connect them but I`m not sure for space plus I already got one on the lower level
or just a Wye to the left to connect them would be simple

EDIT: Turntable wont work but a 10" long wye can be fit in so they can be connected or left unconnected

[eric220]

Slip switch could work would have to be a custom build and understand how that will help with ops
It will be just outside the underground so shouldn`t be much of a problem just have to figure out the custom switch angles and such

There's always the Peco slips. Tie spacing would be a little off, but given that its in the back, that shouldn't be a problem.

I'm wondering about the pair of two-track stub end sidings at each end of the station, at the bottom of the plan. I have a feeling if they were connected, they'd enhance ops. Maybe...

They're intended to represent two different industries, which is why I drew them that way. Given that it's hidden trackage, if it were me, I'd connect them. It gives you the option to run through, and extra track length. I would still operate it as two stub yards.

[CodyO]

There's always the Peco slips. Tie spacing would be a little off, but given that its in the back, that shouldn't be a problem.

Tried the peco code 55 slips just to check and the angles are off

So it would have to be a custom slip

They're intended to represent two different industries, which is why I drew them that way. Given that it's hidden trackage, if it were me, I'd connect them. It gives you the option to run through, and extra track length. I would still operate it as two stub yards.

I was thinking that too just connect them instead of more switches Thanks eric again for helping and you too david!

[CodyO]

Eric was thinking about this and was saying maybe I should just do the beginning of a coach yard that just runs off layout and well here ya go!
Also moved the switcher tracks so there at the top of the lead had an 8" piece of trackage there

[eric220]

  I don't remember that conversation. Personally, I'm getting worried that you're trying to cram that 11th pound of railroad into a 10 pound layout. In the ops scenario that we discussed, there's no need for a coach yard. This goes back to the "what are you trying to model" question. A coach yard would normally be found at a terminals at the ends of the line. To me, the ops opportunities of joining and splitting sections seems more interesting and better suited to your space and layout. In the end, it can be whatever you want it to be, but if you want a terminal with a coach yard, we should probably go back to square one with this plan.

[CodyO]

Little edit
well kinda big
but I`m trying to kinda more model this stations trackplan as it gets alot of what we want done I`m hoping I can keep editing to create the track arrangement a bit better and fit in a RPO track along with some secondary trackage
I`m imagining the tracks running off to the right being the "mainline" to Philly with the curving tracks representing New York


http://condrenrails.com/MRP/Birds-Eye-View-Central-Station.htm
http://condrenrails.com/MRP/MemphisCentralStation/images/MCS-track-diagram.jpg