Question re switching layout -- Inglenook or other?

[RobertInOntario]

I've been tinkering with a small HO switching layout as a side project. I recently decided to remove its code 100 track and replace it with Tri-ang System 3 and 4 track, which is actually close to code 120 or even higher! This track was popular in Britian in the 1960s & '70s. I thought it would be "fun" to create a sort of retro switching layout for some of my British Tri-ang locos that were popular 35- to 45-years-ago.

I've tried to copy a track plan that I saw in the June Railway Modeller magazine. I've posted a pic below where I've simply assembled the track together. But I haven't nailed or glued it down yet, so I can easily start over if I want to. I've also tested the track and was able to operate my my diesel switchers with no problems.

At the moment, I'm now thinking of going back to making an Inglenook layout. FYI, space is an issue so I need to keep this layout fairly small.

My question is this: Am I better off to create an Inglenook layout instead (using the track components in this pic) or is this layout plan just as good? I expect that either is fine but I want to create one that will be the most fun to operate as a switching layout.

Thanks in advance!

Rob
   

[Justinmiller171]

I would suggest going with a Inglenook, This site has alot of examples: http://www.carendt.com/index.html

[steinjr]

My question is this: Am I better off to create an Inglenook layout instead (using the track components in this pic) or is this layout plan just as good? I expect that either is fine but I want to create one that will be the most fun to operate as a switching layout.

Umm - how do you plan to switch cars on the track plan you are showing us?

Stein

[RobertInOntario]

My question is this: Am I better off to create an Inglenook layout instead (using the track components in this pic) or is this layout plan just as good? I expect that either is fine but I want to create one that will be the most fun to operate as a switching layout.

Umm - how do you plan to switch cars on the track plan you are showing us?

Stein

That's kinda what I was wondering! Although a similar layout, published in a Hornby book that I have (The Hornby Book of Model Railways, by Chris Ellis), describes a set of operations. It might not exactly be switching but simply taking cars to various industries. The other version of this layout, which was published in the June Railway Modeller, doesn't give a detailed description of operations, but does mention that a sizable fiddle yard is need for the layout to work well.

Based on all of this, and the fact that I need to keep space to a minimum, I'm thinking an Inglenook is my best option! (The layout in the June Railway Modeller intrigued me enough to at least consider it.)

Thanks, Rob

[RobertInOntario]

I would suggest going with a Inglenook, This site has alot of examples: http://www.carendt.com/index.html

Thanks -- that looks like a great site. I'll keep browsing it. Rob

[dwight77]

Hi Rob:
We built a combination Time Saver / Inglenook switching puzzle at my club. If you go to the N/Z Scale forum, go back to about page 4 and look at "Time Saver / Inglenook Switching Combo" by dwight77 on January 6, 2009, you can see our overall layout that fit on a 2' x 4' module. Of course it is N Scale so doing something like that in HO would be twice as big.
Also, if you are looking for switching puzzles if you go to: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/">http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/</a><!-- m --> it will give you a pretty complete review of different switching puzzles and how they are designed to operate. Hope this is helpful.
dwight77

[steinjr]

Hi Rob --

No offense whatsoever intended, but my impression from having seen quite a few layout posts by you is that the main underlying goal for your layouts is maybe not so much prototypical freight car switching as it is to display and run your British locomotives.

If so, maybe a small urban engine terminal would be a better idea than a switching puzzle?

Like e.g. this Hugh Flynn plan for a 5 foot long small engine facility?

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p...2&start=12

More small engine facilities and lots of other small British plans (mostly from Hugh Flynn and Shortliner Jack) further on in the same thread on the old Rmweb forum

Smile,
Stein

[RobertInOntario]

Hi Rob:
We built a combination Time Saver / Inglenook switching puzzle at my club. If you go to the N/Z Scale forum, go back to about page 4 and look at "Time Saver / Inglenook Switching Combo" by dwight77 on January 6, 2009, you can see our overall layout that fit on a 2' x 4' module. Of course it is N Scale so doing something like that in HO would be twice as big.
Also, if you are looking for switching puzzles if you go to: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/">http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/</a><!-- m --> it will give you a pretty complete review of different switching puzzles and how they are designed to operate. Hope this is helpful.
dwight77

Thanks, Dwight. I'll check the N/Z forum as well as the wymann site then. Cheers, Rob

[RobertInOntario]

Hi Rob --
No offense whatsoever intended, but my impression from having seen quite a few layout posts by you is that the main underlying goal for your layouts is maybe not so much prototypical freight car switching as it is to display and run your British locomotives.
If so, maybe a small urban engine terminal would be a better idea than a switching puzzle?
Like e.g. this Hugh Flynn plan for a 5 foot long small engine facility?
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p...2&start=12
More small engine facilities and lots of other small British plans (mostly from Hugh Flynn and Shortliner Jack) further on in the same thread on the old Rmweb forum
Smile,
Stein

Hi Stein,

No offense taken! Thanks for sending that link — that looks like a cool layout. It’s not that large and looks manageable. This could easily be done on a piece of insulation foam, etc. Only problem, I’m such a steam enthusiast that I only have one British diesel! ... But I’m sure the plan could be modified!

I’ve had this small switching layout for about a year or so — it’s pretty much a side-project that I’ve been tinkering with (as my larger continuous-run layout is still my main focus).

I’ll give this some thought as you’ve got me thinking again!

Cheers,
Rob

[steinjr]

— that looks like a cool layout. It’s not that large and looks manageable. This could easily be done on a piece of insulation foam, etc. Only problem, I’m such a steam enthusiast that I only have one British diesel! ... But I’m sure the plan could be modified!

Well, the easiest modification to change this from diesel to steam would be to replace the oil tanks with a water tower, and put a small coaling bin next to the headshunt (lead) at the bottom left.

Steam engines back in from under the bridge, stop to take on water, then go down to the lower left to get coal, and then park - either in one of the three spurs heading towards the brige, or backing into the two stall engine house.

On the other side of the bridge you use a loco-lift or some such thing to take the engine from the engine facility over to your other layout to run a train (if you feel like that).

Might not be 100% prototypical orientation of water tower/water spout and coaling bin/coaling tower, but you would have room to at any time display 4 of your engine engines and run a fifth.

Smile,
Stein

[RobertInOntario]

— that looks like a cool layout. It’s not that large and looks manageable. This could easily be done on a piece of insulation foam, etc. Only problem, I’m such a steam enthusiast that I only have one British diesel! ... But I’m sure the plan could be modified!

Well, the easiest modification to change this from diesel to steam would be to replace the oil tanks with a water tower, and put a small coaling bin next to the headshunt (lead) at the bottom left.
Steam engines back in from under the bridge, stop to take on water, then go down to the lower left to get coal, and then park - either in one of the three spurs heading towards the brige, or backing into the two stall engine house.
On the other side of the bridge you use a loco-lift or some such thing to take the engine from the engine facility over to your other layout to run a train (if you feel like that).
Might not be 100% prototypical orientation of water tower/water spout and coaling bin/coaling tower, but you would have room to at any time display 4 of your engine engines and run a fifth.
Smile, Stein

Thanks -- again, great ideas. I'll have to study the layout plan again later today. Rob

[Londoner]

Go for an inglenook. With what you have you could recreate Buffalo Springs distillery, as detailed by Ed Vasser on his thread in the industries section.

Inglenooks are deceptive, they look too simple, but can lead to some tricky switching.

Ken