Mulling over a couple of track plans

[doctorwayne]

oh you guys are full of questions!

Doc: Have to read your post in depth this evening and do some noodling with XTC. If you are familiar with the program I would be happy to upload the raw file. The layout in #1 is actually a regurgitation of a layout that I built successfully a number of years ago but then had to part with prior to completion so I was able to work in some fixes from the original plan. Grades do need further consideration for sure but you can consider these plans as basically drafts or initial thought process to get the juices flowing. The code 70 is because I very much like the way it looks... handlaying is because I want to try it, appearance and practice for the big layout and to keep squidbait from whining that I cheated Time is less of a concern than I may have made it out to be...

I had considered CV tie strips.... Squid tried them once and had mixed feelings. Hand laying will allow me some flexibility in that I wont be stuck with a standard numbered turnout if I get into a tricky situation although I notice CV has flex turnout strips as well now. Have you used CV tie strips?

I've not used the CV tie strips, but hope to when (and if) I ever build the second level of my layout.
As for track planning stuff, I have to admit that it's not really my "thing". I had a sketch when I started my current layout, but tossed it when a third of the layout room was expropriated for "family uses". The current layout was built with the original plan in mind, but with less room, so I ended up with a lot more curves and a lot steeper grades than originally planned. Two of my towns require a switchback for working the industries, although a change from calling them "a nuisance" to "adding operational interest" mitigated the problem.

Wayne