The New Northern Central

[davefoxx]

I am a proponent of the thoroughfare track (the yard ladder bypass), so I think I prefer what @Dave V proposed.

Also, to make a suggestion that uses the old plan without modification, why can't the NB trains just cut power off and switch the yard while leaving the train back on the thoroughfare track?  That would keep the engines out of staging (maybe).  Cars to be picked up/dropped off could be worked from the head of the train, minimizing the length of the cut that needs to use that track to staging.

Strike that, I just saw your post that indicates that most of the yard work is at the opposite end of the yard.  Sooooo, why not have the NB trains stop and the switcher in the yard add/remove cars to/from the train.  Assuming you have a switcher in the yard, the mainline freight would not do the work, if this makes sense.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ok ok. Thanks to @C855B and @Dave V I figured it out.

What was missing to give my crews the head room they need? A lead. And by reversing the turnout like I have, I now have space to add one.

This solves a BUNCH of issues. Thanks guys!

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

Strike that, I just saw your post that indicates that most of the yard work is at the opposite end of the yard.  Sooooo, why not have the NB trains stop and the switcher in the yard add/remove cars to/from the train.  Assuming you have a switcher in the yard, the mainline freight would not do the work, if this makes sense.

Well, it's not a safe assumption that there will always be a switch crew on duty or nearby. If there is one around, it IS an option though.

With the new lead added (see the above post) I now have a bunch of options, and the crews on duty can choose the best one for their situation.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Improved CP LOUCKS done. Now I'm working on building out the ladder on the workbench. Here we see it being test fit.

Still more to go, but I really like the flexibility that having this lead (short as it may be) gives me.

Thanks all for helping me get there.

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[Hawghead]

Ed,

It appears to be a moot point as you've already made the changes to your track plan.  Additionally I'm not sure which tracks are what on the diagram or what your plan is for operations in and around your yards.  Given that I would hesitate to give advice as to how to modify your track plan.  However, it is quite common, even to the point of calling it the norm to have to "get a poke" (request a signal from yard lead to main track) when doing pick-ups and set outs.  This is especially true when doubling over a train at it's initial terminal.  These days especially, it's rare to be able to build a train and stay behind the signal controlling movement from the yard lead to the mainline.  Often times when initially building a train it is strung out from the yard tracks, down the yard lead and out onto the main.  Finally you will find that through trains often don't come into a yard to make pick-ups and set outs, but make them from the main track.  The reasons for this can vary, but a major one is that more often than not a whole train won't fit in a single yard track and be in the clear on one or both ends.  As such while the work is being done both ends of the yard are blocked from any other work being performed until that train leaves.

Scott

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed,

It appears to be a moot point as you've already made the changes to your track plan.  Additionally I'm not sure which tracks are what on the diagram or what your plan is for operations in and around your yards.  Given that I would hesitate to give advice as to how to modify your track plan.  However, it is quite common, even to the point of calling it the norm to have to "get a poke" (request a signal from yard lead to main track) when doing pick-ups and set outs.  This is especially true when doubling over a train at it's initial terminal.  These days especially, it's rare to be able to build a train and stay behind the signal controlling movement from the yard lead to the mainline.  Often times when initially building a train it is strung out from the yard tracks, down the yard lead and out onto the main.  Finally you will find that through trains often don't come into a yard to make pick-ups and set outs, but make them from the main track.  The reasons for this can vary, but a major one is that more often than not a whole train won't fit in a single yard track and be in the clear on one or both ends.  As such while the work is being done both ends of the yard are blocked from any other work being performed until that train leaves.

Scott

You mean yards designed 100 years ago aren't sized for today's massive 15,000'ers?

I really appreciate the prototype perspective.

That area of the layout has always made me nervous. It's very important but I've long been concerned about the "usability" of it since it's right up against the wall like that. If this helps alleviate some anxiety on the part of crews, I think it's worth the adjustment. I think this is a situation where I have to give up a little of "real life" in exchange for some "real world" factors.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Not particularly sexy, but three switch mounts ready to go in.

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[Scottl]

Cool.  Are the white clips printed too or off the shelf?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Cool.  Are the white clips printed too or off the shelf?

Off the shelf. They're Dubro 122's. I have to modify them by clipping the little "plug" that connects the two arms off and then drilling a hole in the side it came from, but they're nylon so it's quick and easy.

https://www.dubro.com/products/nylon-kwik-links?_pos=2&_sid=a9537f1c2&_ss=r

They're "tapped" for 2-56 threaded rod or threaded rod couplings. I'm connecting those to Dubro "golden rod" but you can use whatever you've got.

The last piece is the actual knobs at the end of the layout. I know everyone's used wooden ones before but I'm tempted to try and use some cooler hardware if I can find it.

[Scottl]

Great, thanks.  Clever little mechanism for turnout controls.

[C855B]

... The last piece is the actual knobs at the end of the layout. I know everyone's used wooden ones before but I'm tempted to try and use some cooler hardware if I can find it.

Like these?: https://www.amazon.com/Skull-Drawer-Cupboard-Handle-Knob/dp/B01CPIFHJS/ref=sr_1_3

[Jbub]

Like these?: https://www.amazon.com/Skull-Drawer-Cupboard-Handle-Knob/dp/B01CPIFHJS/ref=sr_1_3

Those aren't phallic enough

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Like these?: https://www.amazon.com/Skull-Drawer-Cupboard-Handle-Knob/dp/B01CPIFHJS/ref=sr_1_3

Oh *****. I need those now.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Those aren't phallic enough

Lol. I wonder if anyone makes eggplant emoji cabinet hardware. Hmm...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Great, thanks.  Clever little mechanism for turnout controls.

I've got it up on tinker cad but can't get a link to share from my phone.

If you're interested in them I'll be happy to share.