[johnvosh]

Well, I've got done my 3rd revision of my layout.
I am going to go with HO scale so that I can run my trains on my dad's layout and he could his on mine.
The top is going to be 1" to 1.5" rigid foam.
I am going with the NCE DCC system.
I will probably be sticking to 4 axle locomotives, but I might buy 1 or 2 six axle.
In the closet I am going to put a staging yard, which I currently have at 5 feet long, but might just increase to the full 7.5 feet length.
I am 6 feet tall so will probably make the top of the layout at between 44-48 inches.
Eventually I might add a second layer, but haven't thought that far ahead yet.

I have three ideas on areas for the layout currently, still have 4 areas to decide what to model. I am not modelling any one railroad area/line or one time period, sort of free form I guess you would call it. I will probably be using CP and CN for the most part as I am in Canada, but might buy others as well.

The image shows my current revision of my layout idea. The track lines are just a general idea and are not to scale.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Well, I've got done my 3rd revision of my layout.
I am going to go with HO scale so that I can run my trains on my dad's layout and he could his on mine.
The top is going to be 1" to 1.5" rigid foam.
I am going with the NCE DCC system.
I will probably be sticking to 4 axle locomotives, but I might buy 1 or 2 six axle.
In the closet I am going to put a staging yard, which I currently have at 5 feet long, but might just increase to the full 7.5 feet length.
I am 6 feet tall so will probably make the top of the layout at between 44-48 inches.
Eventually I might add a second layer, but haven't thought that far ahead yet.

I have three ideas on areas for the layout currently, still have 4 areas to decide what to model. I am not modelling any one railroad area/line or one time period, sort of free form I guess you would call it. I will probably be using CP and CN for the most part as I am in Canada, but might buy others as well.

The image shows my current revision of my layout idea. The track lines are just a general idea and are not to scale.

is that yard going to be behind a wall? Will you be able to see it from the controls?

 

[DonR]

When you have a yard and also sidings and spurs
you are going to need a passing siding. The siding
makes it possible to run 'around' a car. That would
enable a loco to push a car forward into a siding...or
shove a car backward. I note that you have one
at the top of the layout. It would be helpful to have
one in the bottom area.

Will you be having a hinged lift bridge at both 'doorways'
or just one?

Don

 

[gardena_shortline]

Looks like a fun setup.

You might take a look at the storage yard as I think the number of tracks you'll be able to fit is too ambitious. Turnout ladders take up a lot of length. Each turnout is around a foot long usually.

 

[CTValleyRR]

Looks like a fun setup.

You might take a look at the storage yard as I think the number of tracks you'll be able to fit is too ambitious. Turnout ladders take up a lot of length. Each turnout is around a foot long usually.

That's one advantage to layout planning software: the program keeps you honest. For the OP, you don't need software, but to make sure that plan works as designed, you'll have to be a little more accurate with your track geometry on the drawing.

Another issue down in that area is that the yard is stub ended. Any loco that pulls a train in there is buried. It takes a long and convoluted backup move to run a loco around a train (during which time, it will block either one of the mains, or the yard lead) to avoid this.

I see two, not one segments of track the could be used (upper right and lower left) for passing / runaround, but they're long sections of mainline, not passing sidings.

 

[gardena_shortline]

Another issue down in that area is that the yard is stub ended. Any loco that pulls a train in there is buried.

I don't think that's too big of an issue. I have a 3 track stub yard on my layout. I just use it for staging trains using my 0-5-0 switcher. And then I get more length since I don't need to have a second ladder at the far end.

 

[MichaelE]

In my five track stub yard, if a head-in locomotive needs to visit the shop after dropping the train, a switch locomotive on a separate parking track ahead of the yard lead is available to push the train in while the locomotive visits the shops.

For a tail-in train, of course the locomotive can just drop the train and proceed to the locomotive shop.

I have three trains that operate in one direction on the main and three trains that operate in the opposite direction on the other main.

That means three of those trains will be tail-in and the other three will be head-in when they are staged.

I agree about the yard ladder though. That drawing has an extremely compressed yard ladder which is going to be much longer than you think. That doesn't leave a lot of length for storage on the yards tracks at the end of the ladder.

You can save some space with #4 turnouts instead of #6 if you won't be switching a lot of 80'-85' coaches. They don't like the sharp turnouts much.

This is a five track yard using #6 Peco turnouts. Number 6 was used because of all the passenger coach traffic my yard sees.

The length of the ladder from first turnout to last is 40". That only leaves a little over three feet for the last track. That isn't used much as yard space but as a lead for the engine service facility. It can be used for staging a short train, but it is mostly for locomotives awaiting their turn for service.

 

[deedub35]

In the closet I am going to put a staging yard, which I currently have at 5 feet long, but might just increase to the full 7.5 feet length.

I have three ideas on areas for the layout currently, still have 4 areas to decide what to model. I am not modelling any one railroad area/line or one time period, sort of free form I guess you would call it. I will probably be using CP and CN for the most part as I am in Canada, but might buy others as well.

The image shows my current revision of my layout idea. The track lines are just a general idea and are not to scale.

My fellow Canadian. I grew up in Edmonton and moved to Kelowna 10 years ago. But I digress.

You'll want to use up the full length of the closet for your staging yard. My staging yard is just over 8 feet long.

The turnouts to go from the single main to 6 staging tracks is 3 feet alone.

I model CP only. It's a good choice!

My layout is based on freight so I have a few intermodal containers, tanker cars, and boxcars.

Have fun!

 

[MichaelE]

You need a beer fridge next to the cabinet. It looks lonely.

 

[deedub35]

Oh Michael Michael Michael ...

PS - sorry to hijack this thread

 

[MichaelE]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Love the Saturn V and umblical tower.

You might be interested in this. I've studied the F1 extensively. As can be imagined, it's quite a bit more involved than Minuteman solid fuel boosters.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150509173846/http://agentdc.uah.edu/homepages/dcfiles/USSRC/F1EngiFamiTraiManu%20Section%201_072308152849.pdf

 

[johnvosh]

When you have a yard and also sidings and spurs you are going to need a passing siding. The siding makes it possible to run 'around' a car. That would enable a loco to push a car forward into a siding...or shove a car backward. I note that you have one at the top of the layout. It would be helpful to have one in the bottom area.

Will you be having a hinged lift bridge at both 'doorways'
or just one?

Don

I thought there was two passing sidings on this setup? I looked at it, and it looks like there is the main track on the bottom and then a siding off of that. And then at the top, there is a similar setup. I am probably wrong as I am still learning.

Yes, there will be a hinged area at both doors, just hadn't drawn it at the top one.

is that yard going to be behind a wall? Will you be able to see it from the controls?

Yes, but I will be able to see it standing at the bridge area fairly easy.

Looks like a fun setup.

You might take a look at the storage yard as I think the number of tracks you'll be able to fit is too ambitious. Turnout ladders take up a lot of length. Each turnout is around a foot long usually.

I wasn't sure how many I would actually be able to fit in there, so I just drew a bunch of lines. After looking at other replies, I will probably take it down to 6-7 tracks and the full length of the room.

That's one advantage to layout planning software: the program keeps you honest. For the OP, you don't need software, but to make sure that plan works as designed, you'll have to be a little more accurate with your track geometry on the drawing.

Looking at the scale example of the layout that I am getting ideas from, it looks like most of the turnouts are #6 and then a couple #4's, and then there is also 3 re-railers.



Thank you for all the help and ideas, they help a lot.

 

[deedub35]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Love the Saturn V and umblical tower.

You might be interested in this. I've studied the F1 extensively. As can be imagined, it's quite a bit more involved than Minuteman solid fuel boosters.

https://web.archive.org/web/20150509173846/http://agentdc.uah.edu/homepages/dcfiles/USSRC/F1EngiFamiTraiManu%20Section%201_072308152849.pdf

You are my new BFF! I think we have some common interests. I love everything about past and current space stuff ever since I was a young kid. I love technical documents especially when it comes to space.

Here's my office ...

Again sorry to hijack this thread johnvosh!

 

[MichaelE]

I started building and flying model rockets as a boy. I ended up working on the Minuteman II ICBM in the Air Force.

That F1 manual is a fascinating read.

 

[deedub35]

I started building and flying model rockets as a boy. I ended up working on the Minuteman II ICBM in the Air Force.

That F1 manual is a fascinating read.

I had model rockets too. Estes Hercules, Space Shuttle, Blackbird, just to name a few. I wish I still had them.

I still have a Tamiya RC buggy that I play with every now and my DJI Spark drone.

I'm hitting 50 in a few years but still a kid at heart!

I'm reading the F1 technical document right now.

 

[johnvosh]

I agree about the yard ladder though. That drawing has an extremely compressed yard ladder which is going to be much longer than you think. That doesn't leave a lot of length for storage on the yards tracks at the end of the ladder.

You can save some space with #4 turnouts instead of #6 if you won't be switching a lot of 80'-85' coaches. They don't like the sharp turnouts much.

This is a five track yard using #6 Peco turnouts. Number 6 was used because of all the passenger coach traffic my yard sees.

The length of the ladder from first turnout to last is 40". That only leaves a little over three feet for the last track. That isn't used much as yard space but as a lead for the engine service facility. It can be used for staging a short train, but it is mostly for locomotives awaiting their turn for service.

In one of my other posts, it was suggested that I use a hinged track selector, can't think of the name, that would pivot at one end and then I can line it up with multiple

My fellow Canadian. I grew up in Edmonton and moved to Kelowna 10 years ago. But I digress.

You'll want to use up the full length of the closet for your staging yard. My staging yard is just over 8 feet long.

The turnouts to go from the single main to 6 staging tracks is 3 feet alone.

I model CP only. It's a good choice!

My layout is based on freight so I have a few intermodal containers, tanker cars, and boxcars.

Have fun!

I grew up in Invermere/Radium BC and have been in Edmonton area for the past 12 years now. Grew up with a CP Rail line, so that is what I most remember seeing and then once I moved up here, there is CN and CP.

 

[deedub35]

We grew up in Castledowns and dad still lives there. I come back to E once a year to visit dad. During the drive along HWY 1 we’ll always be on the lookout for trains - lots of intermodal trains which piques my interest. While in E We’ll always stop by the CP tracks on Gateway Blvd and the CN Calder yards on 127 Ave to railfan for a bit.

 

[johnvosh]

We grew up in Castledowns and dad still lives there. I come back to E once a year to visit dad. During the drive along HWY 1 we’ll always be on the lookout for trains - lots of intermodal trains which piques my interest. While in E We’ll always stop by the CP tracks on Gateway Blvd and the CN Calder yards on 127 Ave to railfan for a bit.

I work in Spruce Grove and our yard is right against the tracks. I am not in that part of the yard often, but lots of trains go past every day. See it all from intermodal's to grain to boxcars to vehicle carriers to LPG tankers (why are LPG tankers so expensive compared to other rolling stock???)

 

[deedub35]

Tanker cars and container well cars are pricey I agree. Maybe all the detail? Containers are expensive too - if I can’t buy a rectangular piece of plastic for less than $15 then I pass on it.

Oh and I’ll always make a trip to Hobby Wholesale on Gateway Blvd. Love that store.

There are a lot more train shops in Calgary though.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Tanker cars and container well cars are pricey I agree. Maybe all the detail? Containers are expensive too - if I can’t buy a rectangular piece of plastic for less than $15 then I pass on it.

Oh and I’ll always make a trip to Hobby Wholesale on Gateway Blvd. Love that store.

There are a lot more train shops in Calgary though.

That is the truth! I wanted to have a container yard with a crane and bunch of cars and tractors trailers in it but the cost was crazy for those things! Can’t believe how much the containers go for in any scale they seem to cost the same. I gave up on that idea real quick!