Rebuilding the Iantha Branch, again.

Discussion in 'General' started by Iantha_Branch, Sep 15, 2019.

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  1. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    "Life comes at you fast". I've found out what this means over the last year and a half or so. I'm going through some major life changes again, but its at least for the better. Public accounting wasn't the right career for me, and with no other options available locally, I decided to go back to farming. So I'm in Missouri during the week for work, and Oklahoma during the weekends with my wife. We're in the process of closing on a second home to have back in Missouri for me to use during the week. The good news for me is it comes with an 18x24 outbuilding. I plan on getting it sealed up and insulated good and making it into my new layout space. I've started working on layout plans, but I've found that I have a hard time designing a large layout, so I would like to get input from the community to improve the plans. The bench work I have drawn up so far is an around the walls design with 4 peninsulas. 2 are used to make yards so it can be operated as a point to point layout, although it will have a lift out bridge to make a complete loop if I want it. The other two are for branching off of the main line to add more space for industry. In a way, I stitched together a series of shelf layouts to try and make operating interesting. I tried to leave some space for scenery and some elements of towns.
     

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  2. geep07

    geep07 Member

    Ethan there are plenty of how to design a layout articles in books and magazines. Kalmbach has Model Railroad Layout Planning back issues you can research.
    The sketch you have submitted does not show or provide an area for working on your models and storage of tools and supply's. You need to put these things somewhere and if you have an out building what a perfect set up that would make.

    Good Luck with your design. Take your time and think this process through.

    John
     
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  3. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Hey Ethan,

    Where are you moving in Missouri? Good luck with the changes.

    I have the complete set of MRPs from the past 20+ years. Will look for something your footprint.

    -Bob T.
     
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  4. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Ethan, best wishes on your changes. Mark Davidson (mark) would be an excellent guy to get involved in planning a new railroad, and could guide you in choosing a good location on the Frisco.
     
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  5. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett Member

    Ethan, hope you will find a layout design that fills all of your wants in a railroad. Best of luck to you, take your time and it will pay off in the long run.

    The following is my thoughts on a new layout. I'm surprised that my mind can still have those. Or it could be just rambling by a crazy old man. LOL

    When designing the layout after drawing the mainline and deciding where the major industries are located start looking for where water will be. Spend at least a couple of days thinking about it. It will help you determine where bridges will go and locate scenery highlights below track level.

    Joe
     
  6. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Forgot to mention, I'm back home on the farm.
    That first layout I submitted is just something I cobbled together to combine a few ideas I had in mind. I'm exploring modeling an actual subdivision now. I'm thinking either the Perry sub or the Ash Grove sub.
     
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  7. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Hey Ethan,

    I looked through some back issues of MRP, and you might look at a plan in the 2018 issue. There is a plan for a 12 x 19 ft space titled "M&StL's Story City Branch". It is an "M" shape with the bottom of the "M" facing what would be the door (I think) in your diagram. As you have a bit more space, I think you could create a bit wider benchwork (they have ~18-inch) and have a drop-leaf or swing bridge (connecting the bottom ends of the "M") at the door to make for continuous running if desired. This plan could be made something like the Parsons Sub with the ends being Parsons/Cherryvale and Pittsburg on the other end (my example from local knowledge of our shared area).

    https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/35210 (visit to layout mentioned, I think).

    Plan on Model Railroader if you have access:

    https://mrr.trains.com/how-to/track-plan-database/2018/01/ho-scale-mstls-story-city-branch

    (PM me if you can't get the PDF)

    If I were to build this plan, I would make it representative of the Parsons Sub and include interchanges with MKT at Parsons on one end, and the other end Pittsburg (maybe as staging). I would include the Parsons Ammunition Plant, a crossing of the Frisco Afton Sub, and the MoPac nearby. I would also include McCune and Strauss as two (maybe only include one) of the small towns shown on the plan. You could have a nice bridge scene, crossing the Neosho River. I would build the long straight sections as sectional pieces that could be moved if necessary.

    Although a different shape, I had posted an N scale plan along these lines at:

    http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/parsons-sub-in-n-scale.7700/#post-57515


    Heck, this might even be my next layout! I think that I could fit the modular version in a 20x20 garage.

    -Bob T.
     
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  8. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I don't have access to the MRR database. I've thought about picking up a 1 year subscription for resources to plan this layout.
    I've been busy with corn harvest, but I finally had time today to finish drawing up a layout to represent the Perry Sub. I need to do more research and thinking to figure out what wall to put for industry over by Tulsa.
    I'll still have to think up a plan for the Ash Grove sub. I do have some interest in the Parsons Sub, but it doesn't really fit my era. By the late 70's most of the activity in the area had disappeared.
    My plan for the Perry Sub includes major yards for the end points of Enid and Tulsa, and hidden staging underneath for both. Staging will help account for trains destined for Avard and Davidson, as well as interchange with the Rock Island and Santa Fe at Enid, and trains destined for Kansas City, Springfield, Oklahoma City and Dallas, and interchange with the MKT, MP, ATSF and maybe the 2 industrial railroads. It includes the town of Perry, with an interchange with the Santa Fe, Morrison and Pawnee, which has an interchange with the Santa Fe to include the Stillwater Branch.
     

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  9. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Hi all,
    It's been a very busy couple of months for me with fall harvest going on. I've still got a lot of work to do on my out building before I can even start building a big layout. For the time being, I've got my modules set up in a spare bedroom for a temporary layout while I get the shed fixed up. I managed to fit in a few yard tracks, 4 industries and an interchange.
     

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  10. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Ethan -
    Glad that you're discerning at this point in your life what you truly want to do. I've seen too many friends and acquaintances labor for too many decades in a field where they then discover "this is not for me."

    At any rate: thanks for sharing the ideas. I've evolved to a "less is more" approach. The track plans you've started with look pretty busy? If one's more into industrial/yard ops then I think you're moving in the right direction, but it does seem like a lot of track in the allotted space.

    I'm still a big fan of both the Caruthersville Branch on the River Division (small towns and flat grades) or even the Fairgrounds Branch in KC if you're looking for a more urban, industrialized setting.

    Looking forward to seeing how your plan progresses.

    Best Regards,
     
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  11. William Jackson

    William Jackson Bill Jackson

    Good advice Chris, I am in the same kind of thought, I want my layout to be realistic looking, to my ability. I have done so much operating in 42 years with the railroad, I have no desire to do that now. If some wish to operate then it's their choice. I,ve never had the space for what I would like, glad you are taking time for your shed. I have had a great career with the railroad, very good choice for me.
     
  12. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    So I've noticed this issue with most of my layout plans. When dealing with smaller layout spaces, I end up craming in as much as possible in a vain attempt to get everything I want operating wise. In my first attempts to design a larger layout, I fell into the same trap. After a few tries, I've gotten some better plans drawn up now that aren't nearly as packed as the first one I posted.
     
  13. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I've continued to work up track plans over the last couple months, and I think I'm finally getting close to having a good plan in place. I'll share this plan that I just finished tonight and ask for advice/criticism on it. I think its more simplified than my previous plans. There is a large yard on one side of the layout with staging, classification and locomotive servicing. The rest of the layout includes a dense industrial area with an interchange, a town, a passing siding so trains can meet, a large grain terminal with another interchange, and finally some storage tracks. In total there are 11 industries to serve on the layout. Over all, it allows me to have most of everything I want in a layout, but it doesn't feel as crammed as my earlier plans.
     

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  14. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Well, You could have fooled me! (seriously - you have put a lot of thought into this, and it looks good)
    However - I just feel overall that it is way too much track and there is not much that you can do for scenery.
    I think you will/may grow tired of it before it is operational and finished?
    OTOH - In my life, I seem to have been wrong more than right - after all, it is your RR!
     
  15. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I understand your concerns with the scenery. I've worried about that a little bit, but I'll probably move again in 10-ish years, so I don't want to dump a lot of time and money into scenery that wont survive a move. I've decided to stick with EZ track, so if I decide I don't like something, I can easily change it down the road.
     
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  16. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I'm not sure I'll end up using it, but I drew up a plan to model the Parsons Sub between Arcadia and Pittsburg. This plan is little less complex than the others, and allows for more emphasis on scenery.
     

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  17. Joe Lovett

    Joe Lovett Member

    Ethan, your layout design looks great!! It is much better than the previous drawings, a lot more area for scenery is available now. Keep us posted on your progress.

    Joe
     
  18. Sirfoldalot

    Sirfoldalot Frisco.org Supporter Frisco.org Supporter

    Very nice - Please move the "Y" into a corner so that it is not blocking the main walkway?
    You otherwise have an excellent plan.
     
  19. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Yeah, Couldn't find anywhere for it to fit in, so it would have to be a fold up extension. As it is, there's a lift out bridge to get in to the layout, and I designed it to all be operated from the in side so I don't have to go back and forth through the lift out during op sessions.
     
  20. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    Over the last few weeks, I've finally made great strides in getting the outbuilding fixed up. I'm hoping that next week I can start on bench work, but that might be a little overly optimistic at this point. I've continued to draw up layout plans in the mean time, and I think I'm getting close to having "the one". The plan I've worked on the last couple days is based on the Ash Grove sub. I made sure to leave room for scenery in this design. The layout includes two major yards with Ft. Scott and Springfield, the terminating points of the sub. I didn't have room to simulate the other subdivisions going in and out from these points, I did find room for an MKT interchange at Ft. Scott though. Other towns on the layout include Arcadia, Liberal and Lamar. I devoted so much space to realistically laying out Lamar that I didn't have room to include any towns further east like Golden City, Lockwood, South Greenfield or Ash Grove.
    I might have some small adjustments to make, but this is the direction I'm thinking of going right now.
     

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