Another layout - thinking process

[keeper]

That would be the plan.

[Chris333]

Plot it out full size on a piece of paper or cardboard. Add in all the details you'll be including and see if you like it 

[dem34]

After some more thoughts, I'm almost certain that this will be a Z scale project.

What do you think?

Shouldn't be a compromise provided you put enough care into it.
http://www.davidksmith.com/modeling/layouts/JamesRiverBranch/index.htm

My personal apprehension with Z is that it feels like you end up taking all the pros and cons of N scale and amplifying them by a bit.
And with the general curmudgeoning out of the way,would the provided trackplan translate %100 with commercial products?  I remember when I tried dabbling in Z that it was a bit tricky finding commercial track systems that both looked good and had a decent selection of Turnouts and crossovers.

[keeper]

All valid points here and I think that's the reason why I'm almost certain, not completly.
I'd say the availability of track is not a big issue anymore since Atlas entered the Z market and I have a source who's doing commissions.
Structures are a big issue. I think there is not much available and kitbashing nearly all the structures is not my cup of tea.

So yeah, I remain a bit uncertain.

Thomas

[DKS]

I think there is not much available and kitbashing nearly all the structures is not my cup of tea.

This alone should take Z out of the running.

[Missaberoad]

How important are ore cars? Hard enough in N scale, not sure if anything is availble/practical in Z.

[wcfn100]

How important are ore cars? Hard enough in N scale, not sure if anything is availble/practical in Z.

There are (or at least were) some Michigan style ore cars on Shapeways in N scale.

Jason

[keeper]

How important are ore cars? Hard enough in N scale, not sure if anything is availble/practical in Z.

As Jason pointed out, there are ore cars available on shapeways. Also in Z scale! They are claimed to be DM&IR type cars.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/NEJTKDDET/dmir-ore-car-u31-zscale?optionId=42944545&li=marketplace

Thomas

[keeper]

This alone should take Z out of the running.

I think you are right. It helps to talk and sleep about it.

Thomas 

[keeper]

Looking again at this photo, I was wondering if there might have been a connection between the CNW and SOO.



Or is it just a dirt track....
What do you think?

Thomas

[GimpLizard]

Can't really tell from google earth but it looks like it might have been a service road. Or something like that.

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[Chris333]

Looks like it was connected at one time.

[DKS]

Looks like it was connected at one time.

Agreed.

[keeper]

Taking into account of the above, I expanded the plan a bit  to show how all the tracks move on into their directions.
Of course this is all condensed.

Now it's time to cut this all up. I think an irregual star for the junction would work best. The connection of the CNW and SOO might be the idea for a second module.



Thomas

[keeper]

Here is an Anyrail 3D view of the junction.
I think it turned out quite well.



Thanks to all for your input so far. 

Thomas