Take Me To the River...

[asciibaron]

give us an over head of the tail track and the bridge in the same frame. 

[wm3798]

Dammit.  Some of us have work to do, you know...

[asciibaron]

Dammit.  Some of us have work to do, you know...

then get to it.  then get to your work.

[sizemore]

Form follows function on the operations based model railroad.  There's actually room for 6 or more 55 t cars.  Haven't sized it with 70T cars yet...
 ;D
@Ed, yes it does.  It's a curvy railroad built for tonnage, not for speed.  When I model the NEC, I'll be sure to mend my ways!

Lee

Visually no matter how much scenery you put there, it will look odd. Why didn't the engineers blast the heck out of it or backfill to bring the faces hill faces to match? You're going to be left with this thumb jutting out of the hill.



But would look more natural like:




The S.

[DKS]

Third option: End the switchback on a short bridge.
 

[wm3798]

Original configuration



Shortened tail track.  I got out the 70 tonners, and this is the limit for 5, with about a quarter inch between the last one and the switch points.

My plan is to build the abutment to about 3" in height, then taper the hill down to the Connellsville line track.  The switch back tail is about 2" below the main line grade, so this would blend into that without a lot of problems.  There will be a highway on the inside of the tail track curve, which will cut under the big bridge, or may cross the tail track.  Not sure yet.  After I get the switchback area wired, I'll start cutting foam and see what we have here.

Lee

[wazzou]

You're sure accommodating Lee.

[wm3798]

Now I'm thinking of blocking hoppers in groups of 4...  The shortest storage track at the tipple fits 4...  Hmmm.  4-8-12-16 car trains?  Might be helpful when there's other traffic (like wood chips, pulp or charcoal) to add to the consist, and stay within the 20 car limit....

A side benefit being a shorter tail track still!  I go play with trains now and let you know how it turns out...

[Chris333]

You're sure accommodating Lee.

Lee,
Switch to the Erie and lay that second track over the bridge 

[asciibaron]

You're sure accommodating Lee.

it's not it's his layout.

better modeling thru peer pressure   ;D

[wm3798]

Affixed the risers and finished the installation of the switchback and industry tracks.  Started wiring the turnouts last night.  Starting to gin up some ideas for the scenery around the town...  This area will be pretty cool. 

The small town look of Thomas will dovetail into the more urban environment of Cumberland around the corner.  Just down the hill from the coal tipple will be the PPG plant and Wills Creek.  Behind Wills Creek will be this sort of thing:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=255742&nseq=44

Lee

[DKS]

Updated: http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/images/upper_level.jpg

[wm3798]

Looks good, David.  I'll use that as the basis for some structure locations and a few streets.  I'll shoot you some notes this evening.

Thanks!
Lee

[sizemore]

Shortened tail track.  I got out the 70 tonners, and this is the limit for 5, with about a quarter inch between the last one and the switch points.

My plan is to build the abutment to about 3" in height, then taper the hill down to the Connellsville line track.  The switch back tail is about 2" below the main line grade, so this would blend into that without a lot of problems.  There will be a highway on the inside of the tail track curve, which will cut under the big bridge, or may cross the tail track.  Not sure yet.  After I get the switchback area wired, I'll start cutting foam and see what we have here.

Lee

It is the sexy now. But I'd refrain from the highway, maybe an access road for ROW maintenance crews. And I told you so (about the switching)

The S.

[wm3798]

Digging out the shop vac and the foam shaping tools...