07-27-2011, 11:54 PM
Svein - no problem on the delayed reply. I'm glad my thoughts were helpful, even a little.
Ditto on the turntable. For a steam era layout it's a necessity, not just an outdated planning device. Besides, even as a layout element simply for storing equipment it serves a function for those of us with too many engines. To me, engines look better on a layout than packed away in a box on a shelf, even if it means stretching reality a bit to include an engine house where there wasn't one on a prototype or there isn't an operational necessity on a layout.
I go back and forth between including a turntable or working in a wye on my layout. It's on a section that won't have track layed for a while yet so I can afford to cogitate on it first. Prototypically, such a small branch as what I model might have had a turntable, but more than likely would have used a wye if the space permitted. Wyes are cheaper to build and easier to maintain - both in the real and model worlds! But a turntable and adjoining loco facilities are a 'model-genic' scene that I'd enjoy building, and on my layout would be right up front where they can be admired.
BTW that Sperandeo plan is a classic in my mind also. The reason I think it works so well is two-fold. One, there's a clearly defined concept unifying the layout and telling the story. Two, it's not cluttered. There is very little extraneous trackage. I have referred to this plan often when considering my own layout.
Galen
Ditto on the turntable. For a steam era layout it's a necessity, not just an outdated planning device. Besides, even as a layout element simply for storing equipment it serves a function for those of us with too many engines. To me, engines look better on a layout than packed away in a box on a shelf, even if it means stretching reality a bit to include an engine house where there wasn't one on a prototype or there isn't an operational necessity on a layout.
I go back and forth between including a turntable or working in a wye on my layout. It's on a section that won't have track layed for a while yet so I can afford to cogitate on it first. Prototypically, such a small branch as what I model might have had a turntable, but more than likely would have used a wye if the space permitted. Wyes are cheaper to build and easier to maintain - both in the real and model worlds! But a turntable and adjoining loco facilities are a 'model-genic' scene that I'd enjoy building, and on my layout would be right up front where they can be admired.
BTW that Sperandeo plan is a classic in my mind also. The reason I think it works so well is two-fold. One, there's a clearly defined concept unifying the layout and telling the story. Two, it's not cluttered. There is very little extraneous trackage. I have referred to this plan often when considering my own layout.
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!