Track changes for a smoother ride

[wm3798]

In preparation for the ops session next weekend, I decided it was time to make an adjustment to the track plan at Ohiopyle.


This shot shows the original configuration.  The siding basically wraps around the curve on the inside loop, and ends at the industrial switch serving the feed mill and the lumber yard.  This limited train lengths to about 10 cars.  As such, it was impossible to stage meets there if both trains were longer than that, which most on the schedule would be.  Also, since the whole siding was used for run-around moves to switch the industries, it was time consuming and a bit clumsy, especially when there's a couple of thousand pounds of meat in the room...




So this what I'm doing...  The yellow lines more or less show the original alignment, with the dashed line approximating where the end of the siding was.  The red line shows the newly extended siding, as well as a new industry spur, and a crossover that will be just behind the feed mill.  This will allow all run-around moves to be done from one side of the peninsula, and also provide a hole for the local to wait in as through traffic goes by.

This improvement should add about 5-6 car lengths to the siding, and help smooth out some of the wrinkles in the current operating schematic.

Lee

[choochin3]

(Butthead voice) Heh heh heh he said meat.
That should seriously improve meats,I mean meets at Ohiopyle.

Carl T.

[davefoxx]

Lee,

Although I haven't operated your layout... yet, I like the changes that you're making to the track plan.  I think that the additional length of the siding is great, but that crossover is what's really going to add to your operations.  It would seem that the operators will no longer have to squeeze past other operators to get around to the other side of the peninsula to throw the switch and make a run-around. 

Dave

[wm3798]

I would have left it alone if all of us were svelte like Brian... ;D

I'm also enthusiastic about having another destination for tank cars on the layout...  It'll be a good excuse to go out and buy more!

See youse guys next week!
Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nice!!

I guess this means I'll need to redo the Timetable. No promises on getting it done in time though, the CRHS has me busy with stuff...

[wm3798]

Well, thanks to Honest John's 24 hour direct mail turnout hot line, all the track is in place.  Because of their locations, the new crossover and the west end switch are being powered using Atlas under table machines.  The first one, located at the west end of Ohiopyle, went in like butter, and works just fine.  The second was much easier to reach, but for some reason, was next to impossible to get lined up.  I finally got it, glued it in place, and it's up there now curing with the assistance of a c-clamp.

I am also in the process of adding micro slide switches to the industrial leads to eliminate stalling problems getting into the 84 Lumber track.  All of these things are taking more time than I anticipated, so it looks like Saturday will be more of a free-for-all roundy roundy session since I doubt I'll have time to get things blocked out to run the time table.  I've got another solid 3-4 hours of wiring to do to get all the turnouts working the way I want them to, which at this moment is more critical than flipping through car cards.

The good news is the A/C unit went into the window tonight, so we should be plenty comfy next week.

I'll update you with some photos tomorrow in Weekend Update.

Lee

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Nice!
I was just thinking about this too, how about extending the double track from the east end of the yard all the way through north junction. This way there's another siding to store stuff on while it's waiting for railroad into the staging yard (and isn't clogging up my A/D tracks).