Thinking about changing around the layout some

[POVC]

So I was just looking into getting the track for this project, and HOLY CRAP! When did turnouts jump in price? The last time I had seen them, Atlas #5s were going for $7.99 at MBK, but have jumped to $9.99 now! I knew Atlas had a price increase, but that's 25%. Wow!

After not having any price hikes on track in several years, Atlas had not one but two 10% price hikes in 2008; as I recall one was in about April and the second around October [edit - Actually it was Feb 1st and Aug 15th].  Now you know why I have been stockpiling #7 and #10 turnouts for over a year for use on OneTrak.

Tim

[Chris333]

I rememeber when those turnouts were $5.xx

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed, looks like you've got enouigh room to have a yard and still leave some industry. The remaining industry helps to justify the existence of a yard. Remember, railroads didn't put in a yard because someone said "gee, a yard would look good here", and tended to allow them to become overgrown with weeds if no longer in use. As far as engine service, get a small tank truck, paint it whatever color CR used and fuel your engines using it. PRR used COE Whites painted tuscan red, maybe one was still around in 1985, but I doubt it.

Gregg
You nailed exactly what I was planning on doing. I'm still going to retain that one lower track that's in there, so I'll probably just pull the fuel truck up to stuff there. Or along one of the yard tracks.

And yep, I'll probably be keeping the buildings in as you see them. Gotta figure out how to snake that track in, but I think I have it figured out.

[asciibaron]

Remember, railroads didn't put in a yard because someone said "gee, a yard would look good here", and tended to allow them to become overgrown with weeds if no longer in use.

they just let the weeds grow on the main, remember, it's Conrail.  wait, that's CSX. 

Hancock on the B&O and into the present supports a branch to a silica plant and is the rally point for several locals that work in Martinsburg.  there is not a single industry present, but you know the yard serves a purpose.

-Steve

[Bob Bufkin]

Ed.  Couldn't say it better - YARD GOOD.  Maybe you can sneak in one of those new Atlas curved turnouts. 

[wm3798]

Being more of an operator than a scenery guru, I don't get the mirror thing.  Yes, it gives the appearance of a longer yard, and may mask an otherwise untenable gap in the scenery, but wouldn't that illusion of more storage space just make you angry that you can't use it?

Lee

[asciibaron]

Being more of an operator than a scenery guru, I don't get the mirror thing.  Yes, it gives the appearance of a longer yard, and may mask an otherwise untenable gap in the scenery, but wouldn't that illusion of more storage space just make you angry that you can't use it?

no.  the point is that it makes the layout larger and therefore extends it beyond the basement or bedroom or in Ed's case, the dining room table.

 ;D

[diezmon]

So I was just looking into getting the track for this project, and HOLY CRAP! When did turnouts jump in price? The last time I had seen them, Atlas #5s were going for $7.99 at MBK, but have jumped to $9.99 now! I knew Atlas had a price increase, but that's 25%. Wow!

There are Atlas 55 switches at nhshobbies.com for 8.16, as we speak.

http://www.nhshobbies.com/ATL2051_5_Turnout_Right_code_55_p/atl2051.htm

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Being more of an operator than a scenery guru, I don't get the mirror thing.  Yes, it gives the appearance of a longer yard, and may mask an otherwise untenable gap in the scenery, but wouldn't that illusion of more storage space just make you angry that you can't use it?

no.  the point is that it makes the layout larger and therefore extends it beyond the basement or bedroom or in Ed's case, the dining room table.

 ;D

Lee wins, it's doesn't actually make the layout any bigger. It'd just seem that way, but not really... especially because that one track curves around. The bridge would make a good way to partially hide the visual awkwardness down that end, and to provide some sources for the shadows that ACTUALLY are gonna hide that area's end.

Looking at it the way it's setup, #5s or #7s will probably do the trick just fine, since the space actually depends on the shallow angle to provide the length of the tracks.

[JDouglasFisher]

Hey Ed,

you could always just back date 10 years or so and model the Reading Lines..

That would be a change,

Joe.