The Lehigh and Husdon River Railroad v2.0

[asciibaron]

After a few months of off and on work on the L&HR v1.0 layout, it became apparent that several design choices were not going to have the desired outcome.  While doing an image search on-line for N scale layouts, I found the Coal River Branch layout and contacted the group responsible for its construction.  They provided me with the plans, some background, and several great photos.

In seeing that plan, and balancing the pros and cons against the shortcomings of the current layout under construction, I sought a re-design to utilize a "U" shaped layout rather than the "around-the-walls" with a duck under.  Bernie Kempinski pointed out the similarities to one version of the WM's Thomas Sub plan in his book "Mid-Size Track Plans for Realistic Layouts" and the Coal River Branch.  I sent an email to David K. Smith regarding the proposed design change and he was able to assist in the planning.

I purchased Bernie's book because it supports a member of this forum and I was hoping to find some inspiration.  I had focused my attention on a different plan of the same prototype and used that as a jumping off point for L&HR v1.0.  For any student of trackplanning with an eye toward realism, Bernie's book is a great example of researching and getting to understand a railroad before setting out to draw up the plan.  I highly recommend the book for more than just finding a plan, but to also gain some insight into the details used to create those plans. Bernie's book is available from his site: http://www.alkemscalemodels.com/

Of all the plans I have entertained over the past few years, this plan is the one that does "it" for me.  I could see it immediately with the second draft from David.  I provided him with a copy of Bernie's plan and then marked up another copy with my changes.  David ran with those changes and has come up with a great plan.  Oddly enough, David's initial plans were not much different than Bernie's published plan.  A few changes were made to David's version after seeing Bernie's plan.  

With that said, here is the final version of the plan:

http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/images/ogdensburg.gif



Bernie's published plan (used with permission):



The marked up version of Bernie's plan:



The Coal River Branch plan:



I would like to thank David K. Smith for his numerous trackplans over the past few years.  He entertained many different wild ideas and always came through with a plan that was interesting and exciting.  Thank you so much.

[DKS]

I would like to thank David K. Smith for his numerous trackplans over the past few years.  He entertained many different wild ideas and always came through with a plan that was interesting and exciting.  Thank you so much.

It was my pleasure. Yeah, there were a couple of times I thought it would all come to naught, but I figured if I kept throwing plans at the wall, something would stick sometime.

[asciibaron]

normal operations would be a one or two person affair.  one person is assigned the role of Yard Crew/Dispatcher and the other is the Road Crew.  with four staged trains and the yard job, the session could take about two hours.  a loop system would be used to extend the distances between towns with each consecutive town being that many number of loops from the starting point; from staging to Warwick is one loop of the layout and from staging to Franklin Jct would be two loops.  this adds time to the operation and also allows for setting up meets.  the Yard Crew/Dispatcher controls the mainline via a laptop running a virtual CTC panel.  train crews throw all non-mainline turnouts manually.

the location of the staging allows for an interesting quirk that could add interest to operations.  the staging is accessible from door ways to the two storage areas.  this would allow trains to be setup during a session to maintain a continuous session.  with a Staging Troll in the doorway and a table in the storage area, trains could easily be setup according to the train sheet for that day.  the loop system would be modified to double the distance to allow the Staging Troll time to break down and make up trains and to allow for dispatching to setup meets.  the Staging Troll would also control the mainline via a laptop running a virtual CTC panel.  train crews throw all non-mainline turnouts manually.

the layout could support four operators in the following roles:

Staging Troll/Dispatcher - setup in the sump pump area with a laptop and a table of cars, he would be akin to the dungeon master.
Train Crew 1 - operates per train assignments from the Staging Troll/Dispatcher
Train Crew 2 - operates per train assignments from the Staging Troll/Dispatcher
Yard Crew - works Warwick yard blocking as required

operating sessions would run until all trains on the Staging Troll's sheet have been run or until the beer runs out.

comments welcome.

[wm3798]

You forgot one key piece of equipment...  The staging troll would also have domain over the beer fridge.  Road crews who perform at acceptable levels of "on time" shall be duly rewarded...

I like this plan.  I'm confident that it can do everything you want it to do.

However, I'd also like to direct everyone's attention to the betting pool as to whether or not it gets built! ;D

Lee

[asciibaron]

I'd also like to direct everyone's attention to the betting pool as to whether or not it gets built! ;D

mark me down for $100 at never

[DKS]

However, I'd also like to direct everyone's attention to the betting pool as to whether or not it gets built! ;D

I'm in for $100 as never, too.

But seriously... the only wrinkle that I can see is that the plan relies quite heavily on the availability of curved switches (the red guys in the plan). Assuming Atlas has no more delays releasing theirs, then tracklaying ought to begin in December, immediately upon their release. Failing that, alternatives will be required; the combination of smoothness and compactness of certain elements would be greatly compromised if Steve had to resort to straight switches.

[asciibaron]

yes, the ever moving release date is pissing me off...  fast tracks is a possible solution given the number and cost.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I can't wait to see this, it should be awesome, and I'm betting it's going to feel really good to make progress on it.

[asciibaron]

I can't wait to see this, it should be awesome, and I'm betting it's going to feel really good to make progress on it.

and i'm going to use a foam foundation...

i volunterr Ed to be the Troll.

[Chris333]

To see staging you can mount a long thin mirror by the ceiling mounted at 45 degrees. I think the Reid brothers do this.

I like the plan.

[davefoxx]

Steve,

I like this plan a lot.  DKS did you a great favor and should be given a lifetime opportunity to operate on your layout without ever having to be the Staging/Beer Troll (whom I noticed gets shoved into the space with the sump pump and your servers- hope this person fits ;D).  I hope that you do get the layout constructed and look forward to possibly operating on it one day.  You must have a head start with the benchwork sections you all previously built at Lee's  At least some of that has got to be reusable.

One suggestion (if possible): Perhaps you could add one more industry to the branch in the corner over the hidden staging yard.  This would add to the operations and might give some scenic possibility other than a mere expanse of trees.

Dave Foxx

[wcfn100]

Nice mine leads.   



Jason

[asciibaron]

Nice mine leads.   

i probably won't be built like that.  i might need a 3rd track for mine back-fill from the processing plant at Palmerton.

[asciibaron]

One suggestion (if possible): Perhaps you could add one more industry to the branch in the corner over the hidden staging yard.  This would add to the operations and might give some scenic possibility other than a mere expanse of trees.

the staging will not be covered.  all staging will be painted black and will look like a notch in the scenery.  there will be a "tunnel" at either end, but that have foilage surrounding the opening to disguise it.  the hill above the "cliff" will have a line of trees on it, much like your staging. 

it will be much like Marty's Carolina Central seen in this image:

[wcfn100]

Nice mine leads.   

i probably won't be built like that.  i might need a 3rd track for mine back-fill from the processing plant at Palmerton.

Oh, well then I hate it.   


Jason