Thought I'd share my layout with everyone. Model trains is just one of my many hobbies, like most of you I'm sure, and this has been an on/off project over the last 4 years or so. It's a 10 ft. x 11 ft. point-to-point plan around 2-1/2 walls of my spare bedroom. It also has a loop that passes underneath should I want to sit back and watch trains run. The layout will be primarily logging and coal operations with some passenger and other freight traffic mixed in. The layout is built in four sections. I built benchwork and laid track for sections 1 and 2 in '06 in my parents garage. Messed with it here and there over the next few years making some minor changes to the track plan and upgrading to DCC with an NCE Powercab. In '09 I moved into my own house and decided to dedicate one of the bedrooms to my train/hobby room. Once I figured out how big the room was I began designing the remaining layout sections and making modifications to the existing sections before setting them up. In April of this year I began constructing section 3 and 4 and was able to get them setup and track laid last month. Curves range from 18"-26"R with the broader curves in visible areas. Turnouts are Atlas, #6 on the mainline and a few #4 turnouts on sidings, all operated with ground throws. Track is also Atlas, all code 83. I have been doing a lot of testing and tweaking before going on with anything else. The end loops are an 18"R and the current plan is for them to be hidden under the scenery, hence all the testing. Once I'm satisfied with the trackwork it will be painted and ballasted, then on to forming the terrain, which will be constructed of extruded foam sheets.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/daa81709.jpg)
Track Plan
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/75be3e4e.jpg)
Section 1 - Engine service facility
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/1d5d027b.jpg)
Section 2 - Powerplant, river, and part of a town
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SECTION3TRACKWORK.jpg)
Section 3 - Will have a logging camp and coal mine. Awaiting foam sheets to finish laying track.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SECTION4TRACKWORK.jpg)
Section 4 - Will have rest of the town, a sawmill, and possibly some other industry.
Here are some of my other projects.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SFF7YELLOWBONNETS.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/5a61d403.jpg)
These are some Athearn F7 SF Yellowbonnets I painted, decaled, and detailed. Inspired from an article in the June 1999 issue of MR.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SD7S2.jpg)
These are some Proto 2000 SD7's I painted, decaled, and detailed for my fictitious railroad.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TURNTABLEINSTALLED.jpg)
This is a Walthers 90' Turntable I modified with scratchbuilt trusses and powerarch to resembled a prototype used by the Santa Fe. Loosely followed from an article and plans in a late-80's issue of MR.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SHORTENED2-6-6-2.jpg)
A Bachmann 2-6-6-2 that I shortened the tender by 1/2" to fit on the turntable.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/LOGGINGTRAIN.jpg)
A Bachmann Shay with Bachmann flatcar, Kadee disconnect log cars, and Kadee logging caboose.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/249b497d.jpg)
A Bachmann Decapod with Roundhouse Overton cars.
All locos are running sound decoders.
Hi Thomas 1911
Please excuse me while I just turn a pale shade of green and cry.
That is a nice effort I particularly like the effort that has gone into the bench work.
I personally think a saw mill and part town of will be enough in the proposed area, once the timber stacks are in they will take a bit of room.
If the mill flogs the 1' leftovers as domestic fire wood there is going to be a fair bit of storage area needed.
regards John
I love your plan and progress on the build. Congrats so far!
You could put a Hard Rock Cafe in there somewhere. Then the guitars could be displayed on top of the layout. ;)
Thanks a million for sharing!
Regards,
Jonathan
That is one nice layout you got there. But you should try to make the outer loops something greater than 18". It will definitly help you in the long run if you decide to get longer cars and engines. Otherwise, great job!
Thomas correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that the yellow bonnets were never used in passenger service, while the blue bonnets were used in passenger service.
Thanks for the compliments everyone.
Buzz:
I think you're right about the sawmill. Should probably just concentrate on it and the town. I wasn't planning on it being incredibly huge, just a small simplified operation. Haven't done much research on this yet.
Jonathan:
Haha. I could do that. Not sure it would fit in my grand scheme though.
Blink_182_Fan:
The only reason I chose to use 18"R was simply due to conserving space. Currently, I don't plan to run anything larger than what I have now. Obviously the longer equipment does look funny on the tight radius, but as I mentioned, I limited its use to areas than will be hidden from view once the scenery is complete.
ABC:
Not certain on this, but I think you may have that backward. I do have documentation they they pulled the "Texas Chief" in the early '70's in Amtrak service. I took some artistic license and have them pulling some Santa Fe streamliners. I'm not a stickler for 100% prototype accuracy.
I did a great deal of research and found this: only two yellow bonnets (2 F7As) ever served in passenger service. The number on your trailing unit may be incorrect and they did not have a F7-B unit in that paint for passenger service.
http://www.atsfrr.net/resources/BackRalph/Yellow.pdf
This was the article I used. F7A's #315 and #304 and F3B #319 were painted in the yellow bonnet scheme used in Amtrak service. #304 however was not used on the Texas Chief as it was based out of Barstow. Unless I grossly misread that article only my Athearn F7B is incorrect as it should be an F3B.
I'm aware of the blue/yellow freight paint scheme and the blue/silver bluebonnet paint scheme.
315L was indeed assigned to the Texas Chief as the primary lead unit. 304L rarely was a part of the Texas Chief, only on a few occasions from what I read, but it said that it did head other passenger trains more frequently. I wonder which article has it's facts right, at any rate they sure are nice to look at.
I agree, they are nice to look at. Not sure which is correct either, nonetheless, they are close enough for the likes of me.
I did incorrectly call out the MR issue I referenced. Should be the June 1999 issue, written by Gary Hoover. Previous post corrected.
T1911-
The Santa Fe didn't have many of the yellowheads, as they were known on the railroad. They were a test paint scheme (there was also a medium blue one) that the railroad learned wasn't appreciated by the public, compared to the red and silver passenger warbonnets and the blue freight units.
That red and silver paint design wasn't actually an AT&SF creation; EMD essentially adapted it from their catalog paint schemes. Most notably, the D&H used something very similar. And this paint scheme was very important to the railroad. It was clearly the most dramatic and most widely recognized paint of the day, or maybe ever. It was so recognizable, in fact, that it saved the postwar Lionel Lines who sold something like ten times projections in a fraction of the time they expected. Does anyone, regardless of age, not remember either the real warbonnets or the Lionel versions? I'll bet not.
-- D
i think you've done a great job so far.
about the 18" radius track: people need to realize that model railroading is all about compromise. you only have so much room, and if you need to go with sharp curves to get an interesting layout, then you just live with the limitations on equipment it entails. i probably would have come up with something similar given the space you have to work with.
a word on paint schemes. it is nice to see the yellow bonnets in model form. there are several other experimental or one of a kind paint jobs i'd love to see. new york central had a couple of e units painted the same green as their boxcars, and an f7 with a gold cigar band on the nose instead of the white one.
I basically did the yellowbonnets just as a novelty and conversation piece. Since seeing them in the MR article years ago, thought they looked like a fun project. The yellowbonnets were my first attempt at painting and decaling a prototypical paint scheme.
Looks like you might need some fascia or something to stop the trains at the end of the staging. Especially behind your Power Plant. I did not think about this until after my 2-8-0 Connie bounced off the concrete floor. Even on the corners, trains have a way of always falling to the "outside". It's a long way to the floor. A cheap fascia can save you hundreds.... Jay
Thanks for the suggestion Jay. At some point I plan to add a backdrop of some sort and the loop tracks near the front of the layout will be beneath scenery. So far I have been fairly lucky with my trackwork as far as having derailment issues, though that isn't to say accidents don't happen. I'll do what I can to prevent them taking a dive.
T1911-
Jay's right. One idea is to use narrow plexiglass panels which are loosely attached to the sides of the layout or on the fascia.
-- D
Thanks Doneldon, I will consider that. Still have much planning, research, and decision-making to do.
Here are a few progress pics.
Started by building the plywood base for my logging spur track. Bought some foam sheets to start forming terrain. All my local Lowe's carried was 1/2"x4'x8' so that's what I got. Also decided to use what I call the strip method instead of making solid forms. I find it easier to work with the smaller strips as opposed to trying to cut a larger piece to fit a certain area. I haven't used nearly as much as I thought I would use either. With what I've done so far, I've only used not even half of a 4'x8' sheet. Its fairly rigid with the support ribs I added underneath as well. I'm waiting on a turnout to finish the trackwork and some tunnel portals and retaining walls to build into the terrain. Should have them in the mail in the next few days.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/LOGGINGSPURSUPPORT.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TERRAINFORMING3.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TERRAINFORMING4.jpg)
I also got around to decaling my steam locos. The 2-6-6-2 and 2-10-0 are decaled for my fictitious Silver Creek RR and the Shay is decaled for the Silver Creek Logging Co.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-6-6-2DECALED.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-10-0DECALED.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SHAYDECALED1.jpg)
T1911-
Looks great. I like the way you are using the foam in strips and small pieces. I think I'll try that.
-- D
Thank you.
When I was researching how people were doing their foam scenery, all I saw was the use of the 2" thick foam sheets. The thicker foam, I think, kind of forces you to build the solid shapes. Not only is the thinner foam easier to cut (only need a utility knife), but being able to do the strips seems a lot more controllable and less wasteful. Instead of having a big piece to whittle down a little at a time to make fit, all I have are a few V-shaped pieces where I've notched to make the strip curve. And as I mentioned, I don't use near as much material. I figured I would have needed at least 7 sheets to do the terrain on my layout with the solid method and possibly more. Right now I'm thinking I won't even use more than 2 sheets. I don't think it builds as fast as using the thicker foam, but I like that it makes me take my time and allows me to step back and check what I'm doing.
T1911-
I like to make sure that all plaster cloth is two sheets thick. It really doesn't add much weight (yes, I know it doubles the weight butsince a single layer is so light having two layers still isn't particularly heavy) but there's a lot more strength to the job.
-- D
A little more progress.
Been working slow and steady on the foam terrain. Coming along nicely I think so far. Also, ballasted all of the track, except what will be inside tunnels.
Upcoming projects are to power turnout frogs to hopefully cure my loco stalling issue and, of course, keep working on the terrain. Will need to build some trestles soon as well.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TERRAINFORMING9.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TERRAINFORMING8.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/BALLAST8.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/BALLAST9.jpg)
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing with us.
Regards,
Jonathan
Thomas1911, I have someting to say about your trains--
I like them and the shay themost. Someting else that I thought you might like to know is that Bachmann is coming out with a three truck climax in HO. I thought you would like that to go with your logging camp. Peach Creek Shops has good prices on them even in the sound models.
Thank you.
wtierce, I am aware of the new Climaxes. I would like to get a second geared loco at some point in the future, whether it be another Shay, a Climax, or finding a Heisler.
Got a few things done over the last couple months. Been trying a few different switch arrangements for powering my turnout frogs. What I've done works, but haven't been entirely happy with any of them. Thinking I'll just break down and get some of the frog-juicers and save some headache.
Years ago I bought a RPP SD90MAC shell and chassis, but never did much with it. Found it in the bottom of a drawer and decided to try and finish it. Currently, trying to round up all the detail parts, handrails, windows, etc. Will post some pics when I get a little further along with it.
Bought a ash pit/cinder conveyor kit, built and installed it next to my coaling tower. It's a little closer to the coaling tower than it would be in real life, but it was kind of an afterthought. Still need to weather it and need to paint and weather the coaling tower also.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/CINDERCONVEYORCOMPLETE.jpg)
Was looking through some older issues of MR and saw a Walthers ad for the Midstate Marble Products kit and thought it looked like it would make a great starting point for my sawmill. The kit has been retired for awhile, but found an unbuilt kit on ebay. Bought it and started putting it together. Mocked it up on its location on the layout.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SAWMILLLOCATION.jpg)
1911-
It looks like you're making good progress. And... it looke like you do GOOD work.
Have fun with the SD90MAC project. Are you going to paint it as a hugely futuristic loco running with the old F-units and black iron heavy breathers, or will you relegate them to excursion runs?
-- D
Cool! ;D :D ;) :) 8)
At the moment I'm thinking I'll paint the SD90 to match my SD7's. Eventually plan to get a few other modern diesels, then I can run a "multi-era" layout. Be able to run a late steam-transition era up to modern era.
Another thing I've done is I bought a USB interface for my Powercab and downloaded the JMRI Decoderpro software. This is something I wish I would have done earlier. Programming is a breeze and the ability to open a throttle on the computer to run another train with is nice. I even downloaded an app for my iPhone and can use it as a throttle too. Very cool stuff.
Just a thought that you've probably already had, is to use door skins for backdrop and facia. It cuts easily with a razor knife and it can be fixed to walls with track nails cause it is so light. Merry Christmas
Yeah, that brown wallpaper doesn't make a very good backdrop, does it? Not to mention it's ugly as heck. I've tossed around a few ideas for a backdrop for awhile, but haven't decided for sure what to do yet.
Been piddling here and there the last few months, working on my SD90MAC project mostly. Also bought parts to do a SD60M while I was ordering parts for the SD90 and have been working on them side by side. I have the SD90 95% finished, just lack a few details. The SD60 is probably 75%. It lacks finishing a speaker enclosure, light wiring, and a few shell and frame details. Both have Tsunami AT-1000 decoders.
This is the SD90.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SD90MACDETAILS1.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SD90MACDITCHLIGHTS2.jpg)
Old and New. SD90 with SD7's.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/OLDNEW.jpg)
This is the SD60. It is slightly further along than shown in this photo, the headlight and ditchlight housings have been installed.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SD60MHANDRAILSINSTALL.jpg)
T1911-
Your Silver Creek paint scheme is extraordinary
and your paint job is truly professional quality. I
am impressed.
-- D
Thank you for the compliment Doneldon. I'm pleased with how they've turned out.
And how the heck do you manage to keep your work area so clean and organized?? You got maid service comes in right? Must have...I knew it.
Nice work, dude.
Sid
Thanks Sid. My work area is not all that clean usually. Most of the time it's covered in tools, papers, parts and pieces of various projects so that only my cutting mat is the only free space.
Started some semi-major changes to the layout as of recent. After getting my layout to an operational state and running for awhile, I've come to the conclusion that my engine service facility is just too inconvenient in the back corner. My main reason for having it is to have a place to store the locos when they're not being used. Its near impossible to align the turntable without climbing on a step-stool and leaning over the layout to run a loco in or out of the roundhouse or storage tracks. Not to mention its not incredibly reliable. I don't mind fiddling with it, but getting to it isn't easy.
Did some planning and have decided to do some rearranging. My engine facility and my town/sawmill are going to swap places. The way I have laid it out lets me stretch out the lead tracks to my engine facility and puts everything in a more user-friendly location. I'll have room for more fan tracks to store additional locos as well. The town and sawmill also seem to fit better in the new location, at least on paper. The only drawback I've come across is that I had to turn my passing siding into the lead tracks for the engine facility. I will be reworking the old engine facility lead tracks into a new passing siding, but it is significantly shorter. I have some new track components coming in the mail. As soon as they arrive and I start laying the new track, I'll see how everything fits together and maybe work in some extra length to the passing siding.
It wasn't easy to decide on ripping up ballasted track of an operating layout, but I think I'll be a lot happier in the long run. Currently have about half of the track taken up that is going to change and have the turntable relocated.
The original plan is on page 1.
Track Plan Ver. 2
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TRACKPLANVER2.jpg)
T1911-
I assume your turntable bridge isn't indexed. Depending on how it is built, you may be able to conceal a small strip of carpet under the bridge to hold it in position after you've aligned it. That's an old trick from the days when few turntables were indexed or motorized.
-- D
No, it isn't indexed. It is the older-style Walthers 90' model. The problem isn't so much the tracks becoming mis-aligned after positioning, so much as just getting to the initial alignment. I have my layout about 56" above the floor. Trying to see the ends of the rails to align them from 4 feet away at a relatively shallow angle is a challenge. Now that I have the turntable in its new location, I can already tell how much easier it will be.
This carpet trick, I assume the carpet under the bridge is installed so that it rubs on the bottom of the pit to act as a sort of "damper"?
T1911-
Yes, the carpet is mounted under the bridge with the carpet face facing down.
-- D
Making progress with the layout changes. Still have a few sidings to lay and some wiring to complete. Also, now that the machine shop will be attached to the roundhouse, I need to modify the adjoining wall of the machine shop so it fits to the roundhouse wall.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SECTION4REWORK9-11.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/SECTION2REWORK9-11.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TURNTABLETESTAFTERRELOCATION.jpg)
Also added a Decapod #34 to my fleet.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-10-02734.jpg)
Thomas
Looks great. What brand is your machine shop, I like it.
Jerry
Jerry, the machine shop as well as the roundhouse are Walthers kits.
Here's the newest addition to the roster, a Bowser VO-1000 with Tsunami sound. Started as a Patapsco & Black River model. Stripped the logo off the side of the cab and added the black scallop to help hide the remnants, then applied lettering for my roadname. Other than those few changes, it's straight from the box.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/VO-1000FINISHED1.jpg)
Been awhile since I've updated this. Made a small addition to the layout, added a bridge route across the "bay".
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/TRACKPLANVER21.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/BRIDGEREADYFORTEST.jpg)
Also picked up my first brass locomotive a while back. It is a Gem Baldwin 2-4-4-2. Cleaned and checked it out thoroughly, added and changed a few details, then painted and applied decals. Installed a Tsunami decoder and high-bass speaker in the tender. It's a fair runner, not quite as smooth and quiet as the Bachmann's though. Acceptable at slow speeds and with the sound on. Probably one of my favorites to run now. Would still like to change the pilot to the running board type and add some toolboxes and such.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2ASDELIVERED.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2MECHANISMREASSEMBLY2.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2DECODERINSTALL2.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2REASSEMBLED.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2DECALS.jpg)
I really need to stop buying stuff, the project list keeps growing. New projects include a Rivarossi 3-Truck Heisler that needs decals and a pair of Proto RS-2's that need paint, decals, and decoders. Also picked up a second Bachmann Shay that I plan to modify extensively, will give details and show it off when I get around to starting on it.
1911-
This all looks very good. Congratulations!
I'm not sure that I've ever seen an artic with a step pilot but I suppose
there must have been one somewhere. There is lots of space for someone
to stand on the huge front porch which most artics are equipped.
-- D
Thanks Doneldon.
From the research I've done, the Gem model appears to depict the locomotive as it was built by Baldwin. I've been updating mine to match its later modifications, which included the pilot footboards.
Some good pictures of the prototype on the following site.
http://loggingmallets.railfan.net/list/lr126/littleriver126.htm
Re: gem engines. Gem engines always ran with a little whine or growl in the gearbox. If you like to tinker there is a solution - order some Jeweller's rouge. You should be able to get it online. Remove all the lube from the gearbox and replace it with the rouge. Turn the gearbox about thirty seconds in both directions then remove the rouge and relube the gearbox. This technique is called "lapping" and was done when watches had to be wound by hand. It works wonders.
Thanks for the tip Woody. This loco doesn't really have gearboxes, it's all open. Also, there is no metal to metal gear contact. The worms and gears on the main shaft are brass, but the worm gears on the drivers and the idler gear between the motor and main shaft are plastic. Would you still recommend this lapping procedure with the plastic gears? I could see it being a necessity with all metal gears.
I think most of the noise I experience is from loose tolerances in the main shaft support bushings, and it seems to be isolated to the front set of drivers. When I reassembled the mechanism, I only put some light oil on the bushings. I wonder if some thicker oil would do any help or harm? Or I may possibly need to re-bush the front shaft supports. Maybe I'll get fancy and make some new supports with ball-bearings.
Was feeling frisky over the weekend and did the pilot modification on my 2-4-4-2. Added the footboard and also a working front coupler to replace the brass dummy coupler. Need to add a footboard to the rear of the tender now also.
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2PilotModification_zps86a33901.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2PilotModification3_zpsa0e1e5ed.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/2-4-4-2PilotModification4_zps75d4f960.jpg)
Been giving more thought to my trackplan, it’s still not working for me, even after the changes made 2 years ago (see page 3). I’ve decided I don’t like the all the hidden track and the trackwork on the middle two sections is still too busy. Also, I have been getting more and more frustrated with the Atlas turnouts I used.
I’m planning to modify my benchwork on the middle two sections to lower it (or raise the other two sections) so that my previously hidden portion of the main line will be at zero elevation instead of -3.5”. With the reworking of the mainline, I’ve been able to condense the turntable lead tracks to be on two sections instead of three. Except for the engine service area, I plan to go to open-grid style on the rest of the benchwork. Probably ought to add a backdrop of some kind while the layout is disassembled.
I’m going to attempt some partially hidden storage/staging tracks (lower right corner), something I’ve been trying to work into the track plan from the beginning. It's not a lot of storage, but better than nothing. The tracks will partially be on a drop-leaf to allow clearance to open the closet door. The ladder turnouts will be hidden, but plan to mount them on a removable base that will drop out for maintenance or adjustments. Think I may try some of those hump yard switch levers to operate them.
For the turnouts, I’m planning on changing to the Walthers/Shinohara line (comments?) since they offer a pretty wide variety as I need a couple curved turnouts and a 3-way turnout. Also, changing to #5 turnouts instead of the #6’s in use currently. Atlas makes a good, inexpensive turnout, but I’m hoping the extra cost of the Walthers turnouts will translate to better quality and reliability.
Planning to make these changes over the coming winter, got a few projects needing finished first, such as the Shay (haven’t forgot about it, just busy with other things). Probably be making a tweak or two to the new trackplan as well. For example, I’d at least like to work in another passing siding on the lower level tracks near the new sawmill location and may reroute the logging camp spur from what is shown.
Comments and critiques are appreciated.
EDIT:
Made changes to the plan as stated previously, added the passing siding and logging camp spur reroute.
Trackplan v3.0
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af15/85MUSTANGGT_TJM/Train%20Pics/Trackplanv30_zpsdaafc39e.jpg)