Would it be bad if I copied Dave V's updated trackplan for my own use?

[hunter_alexander]

New here, but some of you have probably seen me around on the other boards.

I model the NYC, had a great layout going in O gauge, but divorce, a tiny apartment and me selling off almost all my O gauge stuff has regulated me to N scale. Not that its a bad thing. I have been in O and N for most of my life, and I love N scale.

I have been searching hi and low for a good HCD track plan, something with switching possibilities, passenger station, rural Pa. and yet double track main at least.

Of all the plans I have found, Dave's plan is the one that fits my criteria the best. I just dont want to start doing it and have others go "oh look, another Dave V. copycat".

It will be on a 36"x80" door. I am shooting for 15" or 18" radius outside main, and was thinking of using Kato Unitrack. (that would be a new track for me).

Any thoughts, advice, other plans to look at?

Anyone know of any NYC brass Mohawks for sale? I had a bunch of NYC N scale brass, and stupid me sold it all. 

Thanks all.

[wazzou]

I would think Dave would be more honored and flattered than hostile or angry, just my thoughts knowing him only on the RW.

After all, he is as good an as they come.

[Chris333]

Dave copied it his self from Lou Sassi.

[Dave V]

Chris is 100% correct...  The plan, at least the 36" by 80" portion, is essentially Lou Sassi's intellectual property with only a few modifications.  I added 2 sidings.  The only other mods really are moving the layout from upstate New York to central PA, and then changing the one bridge from a mixed girder/plate to a PRR-style stone arch bridge.

The Enola yard extension is my own design, but it's not necessarily the best use of the space.  I've learned a lot more about yard design since I built that, and would have done it differently with my new knowledge.  But it does, even with its flaws, open up a lot of great options.

I'm actually quite honored and humbled by how popular my little layout has become.  There's nothing at all unique or special about it, but I guess it's popular because it's so easily attainable by anyone.  I didn't do anything seminal or profound.  It's all just a conglomeration of common techniques and materials.

Operationally it's not all that great...  It was designed as a show layout and does quite well at that.  However, if switching is your thing, there are several mods I would suggest, including adding a passing siding in the town.

You may enjoy this thread on some of the many wacky ideas I've had regarding my layout's future, and some really nice trackplan mods from David K Smith:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=18915.0

In summary, you are more than welcome to use the Juniata Division plan for your own.  I just recommend you find ways to make it truly your own so it suits your needs, and not mine or Lou Sassi's.  Enjoy!

[hunter_alexander]

Thanks everyone. Thanks Dave.

Yes, I planned on "making it my own" with some New York Central flavor, as well as modifying the plan a bit as your other thread points to.

[MichaelWinicki]

The Enola yard extension is my own design, but it's not necessarily the best use of the space.  I've learned a lot more about yard design since I built that, and would have done it differently with my new knowledge.  But it does, even with its flaws, open up a lot of great options.

Dave, would you mind sharing your thoughts about yard design?  I think that would be a good read.

[Dave V]

Yard design....  Well, my FIRST thought is you don't want me to design your yard!

I should have added more A/D tracks, a longer yard lead, and a bypass around the ladder for starters...

[MichaelWinicki]

Yard design....  Well, my FIRST thought is you don't want me to design your yard!

I should have added more A/D tracks, a longer yard lead, and a bypass around the ladder for starters...

OK, but that sounds like more space right?

If you had the same space you currently have is there any of what you mention that could be included?

[wazzou]

I'm actually quite honored and humbled by how popular my little layout has become.

Shoot, I said you'd be honored and flattered. 

[Dave V]

Right, so if I had maybe sacrificed a bowl track or two, and perhaps used a few LH turnouts in the ladder, I could have probably worked the extra A/D tracks.  The run-around for the ladder would have been a tougher squeeze, though, and probably would have shortened the bowl more.  The yard lead extension would have required me to go double-tracked all the way to the original layout.

The real lesson is that I probably should have socialized my intended yard plan much more here so the real yard design experts could have helped me make it better.  But it still serves its purpose.

[Dave V]

Shoot, I said you'd be honored and flattered. 

 

[DKS]

I am shooting for 15" or 18" radius outside main, and was thinking of using Kato Unitrack. (that would be a new track for me).

You'll have a really tough time trying to replicate the track plan with Unitrack. You may want to consider Atlas Code 55 sectional + flex.

Right, so if I had maybe sacrificed a bowl track or two, and perhaps used a few LH turnouts in the ladder, I could have probably worked the extra A/D tracks.  The run-around for the ladder would have been a tougher squeeze, though, and probably would have shortened the bowl more.  The yard lead extension would have required me to go double-tracked all the way to the original layout.

Not sure it would have been all that hard...

[hunter_alexander]

You'll have a really tough time trying to replicate the track plan with Unitrack. You may want to consider Atlas Code 55 sectional + flex.

Yes, I was just doing some studying on the Kato track, and decided that I am probably going to use the Atlas or Peco C55. I like the peco as you dont need any switch machine for the points, keeping it manual. We'll see.

On a 36"x80" HCD, I think I can do 15" radius outside main with the design while keeping the tracks away from the edge enough to not ruin the effect. Thoughts?


I am not going to do a coal mine, but not sure what else to do in that area. Still planning it out before I go buying track. I like the new design for Dave's setup that you did for him on the passing siding. 



Still trying to figure out how to get the New York Central Flavor I seek into this.

[hunter_alexander]

Oh yes, a couple other questions I guess.

1. Would it be possible to do this layout with Atlas C55 sectional track only? I dont have any problems doing flex, or at least with the C80 flex as I have done a few N scale layouts with it, soldering all the joints etc. but figured I would ask.

2. What would be the best way of doing the Atlas turnouts? Caboose throws?

3. How bulletproof is the Atlas turnouts? I have used the Peco C55 before and never had a derailment. Would like to know if the Atlas C55 turnouts are perfect or "need some work" right out of the package.

Thanks all.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Atlas C55 turnouts are alright, if you like hinged turnouts.
You just have to make sure your wheels are perfectly in gauge.
Otherwise the little bumps on the railties affect the flanges and push them up over the frogs.
(You can also just brush a file over the bumps to take care of it)

You can use caboose handthrows with them, but I've seen slide switches used to good effect, with the added bonus of powering the frogs.
Steve Lohr had a groovy article in N Scale Railroading (Jan/Feb 2011) on how to do it.