10-18-2014, 12:19 PM
Hello Screwysqrl
It's not clear from the plans whether these layout options are
--in a corner,
--free standing, or
--one edge along a wall.
IF these are planned for placement in a corner, here are my thoughts:
Option 1 places inglenook switching too far away requiring a reach across the layout.
Option 2 seems to offer a good reflection of your interests as I understand them::
--randomized switching puzzle and
--continuous running option.
It places the inglenook area within easy reach
It also offers a yard for organizing inbound and outbound trains.
A lot of physical action (uncoupling, throwing swithes) could occur in the pocket of the "L" shape
Option 4 (revision of option 1) has reduced switching opportunity compared with option 2.
if left side is along the wall, you have 4 switches too far away in case there are derailments there.
-- not that this ever happens in model railroads....
If you want to include the additional swithching duites of moving cars to the layout from the outer world,
option 2 has both the car float and the fake mine/interchange to provide inbound & outbound shipments.
Options 3 & 4 could use the "yard lead" in a dual capacity to represent an interchange track. the adjacent run around track would let you then back the incoming cars into the yard.
Or, you could use an 0-5-0 placement of interchange cars anywhere convenient on the layou, and then move to and from the yard.
Just a thought:
<<I am not interested in careful prototype operations. Prototype operations of sending the same cars to the same industries every operation session is boring to me -- I'll lose interest in it quickly. Add in a time schedule and it feels way too much like work.>>
Not all "operations" is runniing the same cars to the same industries, on a fixed schedule
Here are some info sources I found informative & inspirational when I was planning & forming my layout:
--Track Planning for Realistic Operation (by John Armstrong)
--How to Operate Your Model Railroad (by Bruce Chubb)
--Operation Handbook for Model Railroads (by Paul Mallery)
--Realistic Model Railroad Opertion (by Tony Koester)
This one really inspired me to action, as I was able to put it in effect almost immediately:
Cripple Creek Central (Model Railroader series in the 1990s, now in a book format -- article on randomized car operation on an HO 4x8)
Hope this helps.
--Hillyard
It's not clear from the plans whether these layout options are
--in a corner,
--free standing, or
--one edge along a wall.
IF these are planned for placement in a corner, here are my thoughts:
Option 1 places inglenook switching too far away requiring a reach across the layout.
Option 2 seems to offer a good reflection of your interests as I understand them::
--randomized switching puzzle and
--continuous running option.
It places the inglenook area within easy reach
It also offers a yard for organizing inbound and outbound trains.
A lot of physical action (uncoupling, throwing swithes) could occur in the pocket of the "L" shape
Option 4 (revision of option 1) has reduced switching opportunity compared with option 2.
if left side is along the wall, you have 4 switches too far away in case there are derailments there.
-- not that this ever happens in model railroads....
If you want to include the additional swithching duites of moving cars to the layout from the outer world,
option 2 has both the car float and the fake mine/interchange to provide inbound & outbound shipments.
Options 3 & 4 could use the "yard lead" in a dual capacity to represent an interchange track. the adjacent run around track would let you then back the incoming cars into the yard.
Or, you could use an 0-5-0 placement of interchange cars anywhere convenient on the layou, and then move to and from the yard.
Just a thought:
<<I am not interested in careful prototype operations. Prototype operations of sending the same cars to the same industries every operation session is boring to me -- I'll lose interest in it quickly. Add in a time schedule and it feels way too much like work.>>
Not all "operations" is runniing the same cars to the same industries, on a fixed schedule
Here are some info sources I found informative & inspirational when I was planning & forming my layout:
--Track Planning for Realistic Operation (by John Armstrong)
--How to Operate Your Model Railroad (by Bruce Chubb)
--Operation Handbook for Model Railroads (by Paul Mallery)
--Realistic Model Railroad Opertion (by Tony Koester)
This one really inspired me to action, as I was able to put it in effect almost immediately:
Cripple Creek Central (Model Railroader series in the 1990s, now in a book format -- article on randomized car operation on an HO 4x8)
Hope this helps.
--Hillyard