GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Your progression with the second plan is coming along nicely. The curve flow in the lower right corner around the terminal looks great. Keep going with that thought. I know it's a tall order, but If it were possible add another level on which to run another lap of mainline you'd get a really, really nice run for those mu's. I was just going through a book on North Broad Street station. In the 30's it had a coach yard very similar to your central one here.

Its progressed so far that the plan above is already obsolete! While it is true that the yard would work pretty well, and that the tracks did seem pleasing, its just to much being crammed into a space. Spaghetti bowls don't look good, and given that i want to electrify, having "excess" track is probably not good, especially complex trackage that would require special wiring.

Indeed, while trying to come up with a more compact way to make my yard, i figured an even better way to increase the yard space on my layout. I've managed to actually TRIPLE the track space available to me, while taking up LESS space. And i though a ~25" upgrade was good. Its a good thing i've been playing around with this! There is just over 146" of storage. this is just counting 4 of the 5 yard tracks, the 5th, shortest track being the lead for the engine track, as it is on my current layout. A three-way switch does wonders in reducing the use of space. I recognize that they weren't super popular, but using separate switches uses even more space while not giving me much in the way of gains.

Remember earlier that a full train on my layout is roughly 38", just over 4 feet. It would have enough space to store THREE runs worth of local freight to the magic pan bakery. This means, i can have space to drop off a whole train of cars from magic pan, and still have space to pull out the next train ready for magic pan, and then STILL have enough space for a third train. Depending on how i work the layout, i could theoretically my my addition all industry or additional commuter tracks.

I'd still have no good "arrival/departure" tracks, but then again, my mainline freights (which are mostly implied) can just directly deposit cars in the yard, and then a small yard switcher can move the outbound train to the mainline/interchange. True, it would fowl the main for a little, but then again, I'm modeling a lightly used industrial track on this 4x8. This is a much easier solution than radically altering my layout, and lets me enjoy running my trains sooner rather than later. It also lets me devote more space to other things on any addition i might make. Rebuilding the yard also has the advantage of letting me "destroy" the track. Yards from the early 1970s looked like toxic super fund sites to start out with, and so rather than nice clean ballast, i'm gonna go for some dark grimy looking mud! that will make it look right!

The green area below represents the area formerly taken up by the old yard. the new one takes advantage of the angles of the layout, and may even increase its appearance of depth by removing the parallel yard tracks. Keep in mind that this is nearly three times the yard track length, while taking up less space, allowing room for more scenery or details, making it less cluttered. it will require rebuilding of the highway bridge, but after 5 years, i think it needs work anyway. I'll probably scratch build new supports, and "strengthen" the metal beams underneath.

Hi

i personally would cut-back also the "old" part of the layout.
Then, try to think in th third dimension, the hight.
We have our corridor elevated, the switching szene is on the lower level.
In you case, perhaps think at the layout to D. Herrison, he crosses the track with an double oval, see http://web.mac.com/msibnsf/iWeb/Acela%20...plays.html.
Or let only two tracks as an oval elevated ( as corridor), the make ramps for the comuter trafic and switching to the lower level, there can be a passenger station.
The you can use ( when you make an "damaged" oval) this as scenic devider.
In the lower level also can be the staging tracks as you planned.
I think, so its more interresting, to have two levels. For example you may also use the NH catenary layout, also an oval, elevated, with an switching area.
Or you turn it arround, the corridos is lower and the switching and stage yard is elevated, for example see http://carendt_backup.gully.org/scrapboo...index.html (scroll down for city classics layout), her you can see, how they use the scenic deviders.

my 2 cents

I've thought about doing multiple levels, but i don't have the space to do it and have it make sense, not unless i totally scrapped everything. Grades would be extreme in order to get proper clearances. I want to avoid dismantling my layout simply because it would be a LONG time before i could rebuild it, and i might not even be in this home by the time that happens. Adding to the benchwork is just fine, but taking away won't work for the time being.

I've seen that NEC layout, i remember that guy telling me it wasn't worth and not to try catenary. hes crazy, lol. he'll build that whole layout, and then tell me i can't do it! Only thing stopping me is all this planning.