Not to scale (working on that version using the LGB template). The sketch is rough generalities only.
I see a conflict where the tracks come back together for the big station. After the bridge over the pond and track, the grade down to the station will be steep. Maybe if the big station is raised half way you could lessen the grades.
Leaving out the cross hatching didn’t fool me! lol
The curve on the left leading to the tunnel looks tight.
As Greg says; it would be helpful to know the size of a square, for the scale of the drawing.
Good eye John. Yes that is a problem area; going from the bridges back to the Trainyard WRT elevations. I like the notion of perhaps raising the Trainyard up To compensate.
From my experience of shoehorning a layout into a restricted space, the $99 for a good track planning software (I highly recommend RR-Track) made it WAY easier, and was able to get more in less space and maintain minimum 10’ diameter, so basically everything runs.
Pretty tightly wrapped around the house and put up against the property lines
Thanks Greg, I was looking for a recommendation of s/w for track design. The on-line TRAX-editor does not work for me. Quite a layout you have there!
Sam Griffith said:
Thanks Greg, I was looking for a recommendation of s/w for track design. The on-line TRAX-editor does not work for me. Quite a layout you have there!
Sam,
If you would like to see all the answers to your needs you can just go to his personal website (bottom of his post). Honestly, I’m not sure how a site like Large Scale Central continues to exist with all the knowledge that is embedded on his site. We should all be thankful he dedicates the time to post and share his knowledge on LSC. Unlike others that just attack and contribute useless information.
Only my personal opinion and they vary as well
BTW …Welcome again Sam!
Sam Griffith said:
BTW, is it taboo or mechanically challenging to reduce the curve radius in mid curve, i.e. mix large radius followed by medium radius curve track within the same curve. I understand that the engines you run are to be considered - my biggest engine is the dual truck 0-6-6-0 Mallet
NO it is not and I bet the Mallet can handle the radii/diameter challenge.
I know my (custom) equipment did despite what the expert council said could not be done.
Rooster - have been to Greg’s site and it makes my head spin a bit but I too appreciate the breadth of info and the level of detail he has there. Plan to revisit it as all that info will take multiple reattacks to sink into my thick skull.
Sam Griffith said:
Rooster - have been to Greg’s site and it makes my head spin a bit but I too appreciate the level breadth of info and the level of detail he has there. Plan to revisit it as all that info will take multiple reattacks to sink into my thick skull.
Then why are you here on a feeble inferior site like LSC ?
Sam, I know there are “free” layout programs, but I looked at the value to me, and the cost of purchasing the wrong track. I used all sectional track, a lot of joints, but it allowed me to really tweak things and do a bunch of what-ifs, and was able to eliminate and minimize S curves, go from 8 foot diameter to 10 foot minimum, smooth out some crossovers (fitting #6 turnouts instead of #4), and have many curves on the mainline to to 14’ diameter to further smooth out the mainline.
So, if you have room and time to use flex track, of course fewer joints, etc, but shoehorning in a tight space, the track planning programs with sectional track will give you better results in my opinion.
RR-Track will do flex track, but has USAT, Aristo, and LGB libraries. You can even add elevation and plants etc.
It sure looks like you have your work cut out for you, so I’d recommend really working over the track plan, and also seeing if you can smooth out those big “swings” around the end of the pond and your bridge and the passenger station. Believe me, taking the kinks out will really pay off.
Can’t tell you the number of layouts that people gave up trying to have bigger curves, and were locked into smaller locos, shorter trains, and poor operating. The track is indeed the foundation of your hobby and enjoyment, get it right and you will be patting yourself on the back. Get it wrong and you will be fighting it forever.
Greg
Sam: My $02… I noticed that there is no way to reverse direction of running, No Reverse Loop, Y, or etc. Having to lift and turn a train by hand to go the other way, gets tiring and boring.
Sam:
I might suggest that once you have some type of workable plan that you consider using a garden hose as your initial “track”. This should help you better visualize how everything “flows” at full scale.
Dave Taylor said:
Sam: My $02… I noticed that there is no way to reverse direction of running, No Reverse Loop, Y, or etc. Having to lift and turn a train by hand to go the other way, gets tiring and boring.
Dave yes, but using track power, reverse loops and Wyes are a challenge for some people to wire and operate correctly.
Greg Elmassian said:
…The track is indeed the foundation of your hobby and enjoyment, get it right and you will be patting yourself on the back. Get it wrong and you will be fighting it forever.
Greg
That is so true. Also track, when done properly, is a one time expense. So spend the money to do it right.
I really appreciate you guys taking the time to provide your suggestions to this newby (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)! I understand that I’ve got to get a good layout established that makes sense - as you can see, I’m a bit challenged in this area. BTW, I am attending my first Miami Valley Garden RR Society event next weekend which my wife and I are really looking forward to. If anyone has a suggestion for track design software that a MAC user can use, I’d appreciate it. Lots of disclaimers with RR-Track on using their software with a Mac.
Thanks again and keep those “cards and letters” coming!! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
There is another one around called SCARM: Simple Computer Operated Railway Modeler.
Whether it’ll work on a Mac or not I have no idea. It doesn’t seem as user friendly as RRTrack, but that may be because I’m more used to RRTrack.
https:www.scarm.info/index.php
For Mac, take a look at XtrkCad: http://xtrkcad.org/Wikka/HomePage I haven’t used it, but they claim it runs on a Mac: http://xtrkcad.org/Wikka/MacOSX
There’s at least one youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw1thxEVkJg
Or, just run something from the web: https://www.traxeditor.com/
Again, I haven’t used any of these. I used something way back when I first started, but haven’t touched a planning tool since my RR became operational…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-embarassed.gif)
Sam Griffith said:
… BTW, I am attending my first Miami Valley Garden RR Society event next weekend which my wife and I are really looking forward to.
Now you’re on the right track. Good job.
Sam asked if the LGB track cleaner would be a good investment.
Everybody that has one sings it’s praises. It seems to do what it is designed to do. I don’t have one, nor do I personally know anyone thats does.
When I had track power, I used a fiberglass drywall sander, mounted on a “man helper” (broom handle). Don’t use sand paper, no matter how fouled the track is, that just puts micro scratches in the track surface that get filled with gunk, and are next to impossible to clean. Alcohol, acetone, or other solvent, used sparingly, then wiped clean (remember your plastic ties) work well for seriously fouled track.
The nice thing about battery power is that fouled track just adds traction.