GEC's Layout Progress

[Green_Elite_Cab]

I agree with anyone who says not to cut the layout up at this stage. It looks to me as if the Callahan Central you started with is a very good basic plan -- the video you made 18 months or so ago shows that.

I would actually use that video as an arguement for dividing the layout. The industrial "half" works fairly well in terms of switching those industries. However, there are many issues that can't be seen or aren't encountered in that video. I have made attempts at a "yard" video for a long time. That end of the layout always has problems, either with derailments or tight quarters.

1. The mainline itself is too cramped. the tight curve radius, coupled with the short mainline length, pretty much forces the train to chase its tail, especially during switching. It was not obvious in the video, but at some points, the locomotive was very close to its own rear-end.

2. The track and scenery are too cramped- the tight 18" curves cut close to the magic pan bakery siloes, and its "truck-dock" side, which make it seem a little off. Not to mention in the case of the silos, they would get in the way of the catenary transmission lines. On top of the practical scenery issues, overall, the 4x8 "oval" doesn't lend itself well to being sceniced. The lack of a good backdrop is the most common suggestion/constructive criticism i recieve. I can frame a dramatic looking shot E44s and Arrows passing eachother (and with the caternary up, their pans up!), but the cement sky is omnipresent. If I put a view block down the middle of the layout (which would look weird and incomplete), i'd have to redo the "interior" of the layout anyway.

3.The mainline switches are major issue- The crossovers on the main are pretty awful, and it is difficult to pass through them because of their position. Unfortunately, if I put them in the position as originaly intended for the "Callahan Central", trains would be frequently pulled off by the extreme S curve (caused by leaving a left hand curve heading into a right-hand crossover). The switchers near the yard are alright, but the curves switch leaving the yard lead is often pretty bad.

4. THe curves are too tight- The crossovers themselves might actually get some more use if it made sense to divert a passenger train, or even a longer locomotive onto that inside radius. While this is more a problem for my passenger cars, it also results in me not being able to operate my GG1s on the layout at all except for the outside track, and even then there are frequently derailments since 22" is pushing the limits of the BLI and MTH GG1s.

5. Lastly, the current set up is a NIGHTMARE for catenary. The poles, pull offs, and curves do not fit together well, and would need extra complex wiring to be done properly, let alone functionally. Trying to deal with these crossovers and switches is EXACTLY the reason why I have not already electrified a much larger chunk of my railroad. Since I have to cut many of the mounting holes in advance, I have to try and "imagineer" the wire configuration. I have so many sketches and mock-ups, and none of it looks good.

I realize you're inspired by the NEC, but that's going to be a lifetime of work, and cutting up what you have isn't likely to get you there any sooner.

This is also true, but I didn't plan to arbitrarily add 4 tracks (although it is technically possible, see the diagram below) just to link it with my other modules. Operationally, the layout would function exactly the same, except with more breathing room, and the capacity to "expand". The sections are intended to be more "permanent", than a truly mobile module.

Plus, if you're graduating in May, with job prospects that seem slightly better than they've been for several years, you're going to be moving out of your family's place. You could probably justify what you have, either still in the basement for visits, or maybe moved into a spare room where you eventually wind up. A more extensive project is realistically going to be some years in the future.

Moving out is the biggest reason i wanted to slice the layout in half. I don't think I can get the layout out without essentially wrecking it anyway. I'd certainly have to take down any catenary i'd build, and maybe even the track too (bumped track=dips/kinks=derailments).

Slicing it up into sections not only allows it to grow, it lets it divide itself into smaller pieces. These would DEFINITELY be able to be carried out of my basement. In fact, they could be slid out the back window (our house in on a hill) right outside, without needing to be carried up stairs or through the rest of the relatively cramped basement. Though the layout would be "bigger", it could also be broken down when I need it out of the way, and possibly stacked along a wall someplace, even with the caternary in place if stored in a manner similar to the NEC modules i'm building.

This means if I move out, and can take the layout with me, I can easily put it in a Uhaul truck. If I can't bring it with me and I'm not going to be able to play with it for a while, I can "pack it in" and my parents can use that part of the basement for other things. (currently, the other flaw of 4x8s is that it takes up so much space by needing access on all sides).

As far as I can see, you've put a lot of good work into that layout making it more reliable and somewhat presentable -- I'd keep at it for the time being, with other work going into modules. If you cut up the 4 x 8, it's just going to turn into less than satisfactory modules

This is the only thing that worries me. As long as the joints stay together well, and keep the tracks alligned, I should be OKAY. I worry that keeping all the sections "together" might introduce additional problems.