Layout plans (Old Layout)

Discussion in 'Freelance' started by Iantha_Branch, May 14, 2018.

  1. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    After some revisions, I came up with some good changes. I now have a hidden staging track that will fit 11 cars plus a GP and caboose. I could have made it longer, but the yard only fits 11 cars as is. I'm also up to 8 industries now, and changed the two tracks at the very bottom to be interchange tracks so I now have that element too. I'm still brain storming how an opsession will play out. I may try to put it down on paper later today. I did mark a line on there to show where a back drop would be placed to hide the staging. I'm not sure if I would have space for 3D buildings, but I found this site that makes print outs on foam board https://www.tracksideflats.com/
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Looks like quite a switching outfit there Ethan. With room for a small fridge for the cold beverage of your choice and lots of peanut butter under your MRR. (y)
     
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  3. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Looking good, Ethan!
     
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  4. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I could install a fridge, or I could walk to the main one that is 20ft away, it's a tiny house lol
     
  5. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Ethan:

    We've probably all lived (or live) in such a house at one time or another in our lives.

    The important thing to remember is that you and your wife are currently laying the foundations for your economic future. That is very wise of both of you. The smallness is only temporary. The rest of your lives are ahead of you!

    I, for one, am impressed with what you and your wife are doing. Good going.

    Andre
     
  6. geep07

    geep07 Member

    Ethan:
    This last plan has a turntable on it. Are you planning to have steam loco's? Short wheelbase I assume, since you are using #4 turnouts.
    You are definitely on the right path to layout and ops planning and wishing you luck to your success.

    John
     
  7. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I was waiting to see if anyone would catch that. I don't plan on adding steam. I put it there to turn the power that will run the manifest in and out of town. I'm planning on running just one GP or U boat to save space instead of a pair that are coupled back to back so I can save space. For some reason, I hate watching stuff run long hood forward, so when the loco unhooks from the cut of cars coming in to the yard it will go get turned around and go to the service track, and when it grabs a new cut of cars to leave town it's now in the correct direction. And it will get changed around again before the next session.
     
  8. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Yes sir, you are correct- I came up with a trackplan for the fictitious Kansas town of Durum for a 6 x 11.5 foot space shelf layout. Incidentally, durum is a species of wheat which is normally grown in the Dakotas and Montana- semolina wheat is the stuff Kansas, OK and TX are known for. But it's easier for me to spell durum, and a lot cooler name, so there ya go. :D

    And that plan, while practical, is being removed for a new layout a-building in a spare bedroom in our house- I'll have 11 feet, 13 1'4 feet, and 10 feet along three walls (and a closet to use for a staging yard/workbench area) for a larger layout. Still using hollow-core doors and shelf brackets for benchwork
     
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  9. dalebaker

    dalebaker Member

    If you add in a team track, possibly where the turntable is, you could definitely add some more reasons to switch cars.
     
  10. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I had thought about something like that at some point. I could designate it somewhere in the plan.
     
  11. yardmaster

    yardmaster Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Great overall plan, Ethan. I do like Dale's idea of ditching the turntable and adding a team track.

    For turning a locomotive, I'm wondering if some sort of drop leaf for a wye would be feasible? Might be more appropriate for your era, but whereas space is limited, maybe include a "conceptual wye" where you could turn the locos by hand between sessions or turns?

    In lieu of the aforementioned I say go for the turntable if it's the best fit for what you're trying to accomplish.

    Keep the updates coming!

    Best Regards,
     
  12. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I could call the curved in the upper left corner the team track. A drop leaf isn't feasible for my set up, I'm really pushing the limits of my available space as it is. I'm not 100% sold on keeping the turn table. I've got one in a box somewhere.....
     
  13. dalebaker

    dalebaker Member

    Ethan,

    The thing to keep in mind is having a spur/team track on a radius, you will get frustrated trying to couple/uncouple cars. I speak from experience!

    Thanks,
    Dale
     
  14. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I might do some more thinking on that then
     
  15. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Coupling on tight curves:

    Can be a royal pain in the rear for sure in real life.

    In model railroading, a quick flick of the pick is all it takes. (i.e. Use your uncoupling pick to push the outward coupler inward, and presto: The couplers will gather and make. Takes but a second.)

    Perhaps do what I did: Use some sectional track of your tightest proposed curve, and try to couple two of your longer cars you intend to use to see if the above pick technique is practical for your "givens".

    Andre
     
  16. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I'm flattered that you suggested my track plan for the fictitious Kansas community of Durum. Alas, the layout based on that plan is no more, but I have plans for an enlarged railroad to fit in a 13' 3" by 11' 3" spare bedroom. Still working out the specifics, so as not to hijack this thread I'll start a new thread elsewhere.

    And good luck to Ethan on his layout planning and building. Can't wait to see pictures!
     
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  17. skyraider

    skyraider Member

    Ethan,

    Maybe I missed this, and if so, just ignore it. Since you are running late '70's, the equipment tends to be longer than steam era 40' box cars and 30ish' tank cars. Do you mostly have 4 axle or also some 6 axle diesels? Mostly 50' cars or some of the longer freight cars? One of the things I like is larger radius curves, if possible. That makes for better operation and the trains look better on the larger curves. Sometimes space dictates otherwise, but something to consider.

    The fictitious nature is great, from my perspective. Since you are a Frisco fan, it would be fairly easy to scratch build or kitbash some structures to give them a Frisco flavor, but still have the flexibility to name it what you want. Since it's not a huge layout, it wouldn't take forever to build most of the structures. On my fictitious QA&P layout, there is a little whistle stop depot named Bovina. There's really a town named Bovina in Texas (also one in Colorado, though it no longer exists). Since cattle is an important industry on my layout, that makes sense for a depot / siding name. The depot is associated with the stock pens.

    Have fun. It's your railroad, so build what you want!!

    Paul Moore
     
  18. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I appreciate the feedback Paul, however this is a thread for an old layout for a house I no longer own. My current layout has more space and larger curves than this. My future layout will have very large curves on it that should look nice. My other layout threads:

    Current layout: http://frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/rebuilding-the-iantha-branch-again.12577/

    Future layout: http://frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/the-future-iantha-branch.13766/
     
  19. skyraider

    skyraider Member

    OOps!!!! Thought I saw a comment on this thread that was current, so I assumed it was current.
     
  20. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    No worries.
     

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