CP Flog Subdivision

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Well normally this time of your with the golf season coming to an end I have lots of time to work on my layout. It will be a little different this winter as the wife and I bought a house so I will have room in the basement for a 12x20 layout. I sold what I had done on the old layout to a friend so I am without a layout for the time being. We take possession of the house at the end of the month and then I will have to finish the basement before bench work can start.

Over the last few weeks I have been playing around with AnyRail planning the new layout. I thought I would post a Pic of what I have so far. Keep in mind that this is just the first draft of the track plan. I will work the track plan so that very little track other than the yard is parallel is the front of the layout. Any Ideas are welcome

My plan is to have staging under the layout and to have a modern double track major main line. Lots of trains that run through and or stop to pick up and drop of in the yard during an ops season. I am planning on having 3-5 major industries that will need pickups and drop offs. Paper Mill, oil refinery, auto plant and grain for sure. Train length will be based on 24 coal porters with 2 sd40-2, about 10 feet. I will be using Atlas code 55 with a minimum radius of 18”.



For a bigger Pic please see my blog
http://jeffscpline.blogspot.ca/2012/11/new-layout-planing.html

[davefoxx]

Jeff,

Are you sure that you want to place the yard in the corner?  Coupling and uncoupling on curved track is a pain in the rear at best.  I'd consider moving the yard to the left, so it is entirely along the long wall.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[C855B]

I agree on the curved yard - if you plan on making/breaking trains, the curves will be the source of much frustration.

Are you leaving the space in the middle open for any particular reason? Good opportunity for a peninsula in there, you have plenty of room still leaving ample aisles. I have to ask since you've completely surrounded the room, which sort of hints there are no plans for the space other than the layout.

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

I have thought of doing a peninsula at some point down the line. For the time being I am going to have a lounge chair for watching TV. I also have to have my work desk under the layout along with spray booth.  I have thought about doing the yard along the top wall. Thanks for the feed back. More plan updates will be posted when I have more planing done.

[DKS]

Also agree re: curved yard; if you swapped it end-for-end, you could wrap the engine facilities around into the corner where the class tracks are now. Also wondering about all those double-crossovers; they are quite rare in real life. A bit cheaper and more proto to use pairs of opposing single crossovers.

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Also wondering about all those double-crossovers; they are quite rare in real life. A bit cheaper and more proto to use pairs of opposing single crossovers.

I was thinking about that too but 4 #10 switches in row take up a lot more space.

[DKS]

I was thinking about that too but 4 #10 switches in row take up a lot more space.

Only 33% more than two plus a crossing, and I don't know that you need as many as four full sets. Just sayin'.

[GaryHinshaw]

Nice to see another layout taking shape.  A few more questions for you to ponder:

- In addition to moving the yard out of the corner, is there any reason not to put the helix in the corner?
- Do you have a locale or prototype in mind?  Will this be industrial/urban, rural?  If urban, a small peninsula would be a great spot for a busy urban switching area.
- Will you have an operating crew, or will this be run solo?
- The yard is a pretty dominant feature of the current plan, while the mainline run is relatively short (unless you count multiple laps of continuous running).  This strikes me as a terminal type plan where a through train appears from staging and fairly quickly enters the yard, then re-enters staging fairly quickly thereafter.  There is nothing wrong with that, but it is something to consider.  I would be tempted to scale the visible yard back a bit and work in a longer mainline run, but that may not be best for you.

Cheers,
Gary

[DKS]

The yard is a pretty dominant feature of the current plan, while the mainline run is relatively short (unless you count multiple laps of continuous running).  This strikes me as a terminal type plan where a through train appears from staging and fairly quickly enters the yard, then re-enters staging fairly quickly thereafter.  There is nothing wrong with that, but it is something to consider.  I would be tempted to scale the visible yard back a bit and work in a longer mainline run, but that may not be best for you.

One option to increase the mainline run is to send the main down the helix, through a loop around the staging yard, and back up.

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

I do appreciate all the feedbacks so don’t think that I don’t and I do consider all suggestion. 

I know what you are saying Dave I might be able to scale back on the crossovers. On this updated plan I have moved the yard and taken out all the double crosses.

Gary It isn’t really a Helix. It is only one turn then will run under the layout down to about 4” under the yard and then back up. It is going to be a freelance layout. I model CP, BNSF, and NS all modern. The layout is going to be located in a suburb of a major city. It will have major industries.

The layout for the most part will be operated by myself but I want to be able to have op’s sessions. I Love big yards and I think I will keep the big yard. If I were to put in a Peninsula then that would increase the mainline run but at this time I will not be doing that.



Thanks again for looking and for the help.

edit - fixed image tag.  -gfh

[ednadolski]

Gary It isn’t really a Helix. It is only one turn then will run under the layout down to about 4” under the yard and then back up.

Is that 4" enough vertical clearance, if you need to get in there with a 0-5-0?  I'd also be a bit concerned about reach-in access to the tracks that are against the wall below the balloon tracks, esp. if this is going to be a relatively high shelf.

Speaking of access, where is the door to the room?   Will you have a duckunder, lift-out, other?

HTH,
Ed

[Ian MacMillan]

I have some concerns with the A/D tracks coming right off of the curves. You might want to give it about a scale 89' of straigh track before going into the switches. Will eliminate some derailments.

[LIRR]

I agree with ed, I think you'll regret only 4" of clearance. I'd go with a one or two turn helix. It's more than the 0-5-0. What about track cleaning and maintenance?

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Well I have been working on the plan some more. Here is an update on what I have. Any and all input is welcome.

I still have the bottom and the right side of the layout to work on. The double track bridge at the bottom will be a lift out.

[LKOrailroad]

Something to consider.... all double track main means trains proceed both directions unimpeded. Single track main often adds operating interest due to the need to schedule and manage meets.