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Another Newbie with a dream.. (HO Peco code 100)

Started by The Fat Controller, November 28, 2013, 11:14:27 PM

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The Fat Controller

Hi Everyone,

<<WARNING - I tend to waffle on a bit, so feel free to skip to the end to look at my attempt at a track plan>>

I have been using anyrail for a couple of weeks now, and I must warn you that I am a complete newbie to the hobby. I had a HO set as a child and have recently rekindled the passion. but how things have changed lol, I've been reading up on dcc and am quite impressed at the possibilities.

goal - my aim is to have a layout that can run multiple trains (by one or more operators) with both passenger and working/industry trains for added interactivity.

I have chosen to use the coal industry and will try to create some sort of coal mine with loading area (using conveyor belts) and modify the cars to dump the load through the tracks (and then transferred to a stockpile buy truck/dozer OR another conveyor belt)

I may consider setting an area aside for a future container port to load/unload containers if I get bored.

With the passenger trains I will be going deisel as I'm not up to the task of building overhead wires (not yet anyway). My original hopes of running a countrylink explorer/endeavour were put in the too hard basket when I noticed the 24" curve limit. Although the auscision xpt has an 18" curve, I think an older style diesel loco and passenger cars will look more at home in the layout.

Moving on to the layout... I have spent countless hours using anyrail and have finally come up with something. please bear in mind I was originally trying to use setrack pieces to plug together a layout, however frustration got the better of me and my very poor geometry skills and I eventually figured out how to use flex track. as you can see there is still some cleaning up to be done.

The outer red loop is the main passenger line and will have "country" style platforms scattered along it.
The inner blue line is the coal loop, however if I'm feeling adventurous I may use the two loops as the passenger main up/down lines and work the coal trains in between (as a daily commuter i'm well aware of delays caused by freight trains on the main passenger lines)

all tracks will be on the same level (no gradients) however, the centre of the layout will be below track level to give a better effect and functionality for unloading the coal.

at present the plum/purple line is the straight through loading area and the yellow wye for unloading

I've decided on the one yard for both passenger and industry trains (mainly to save space and make access easier) I adapted the design from a nmra document, so it should allow for easy shunting.

After the design has been nutted out, I'll look into block placement, a wiring plan and then go into further detail on the dcc system.
I'm thinking of using the lenz system with the rr&co "TrainController" running on a touchscreen monitor. The yard however, may be set up on a switchboard separate from the dcc automation?? but i'll see about that once I have sorted out the details.

I welcome any constructive criticism or advice. this is a long term project so don't expect to see major progress any time soon.



RhB_HJ

Welcome to the Forum. Sooooo does this plan play in Oz? Or where are we?  ;) ???
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

The Fat Controller

Quote from: RhB_HJ on November 29, 2013, 02:52:11 AM
Welcome to the Forum. Sooooo does this plan play in Oz? Or where are we?  ;) ???

Thanks for the welcome, and yes, I am based in Australia (NSW Central Coast)

Jeff

Interesting. But Oz or nought, given what you want to do, you may want to go back and add a second track to your passenger loop (making extensive use of the 'add parallel flex track tool). Having said that, I fear that you've bitten off more intentions than your space will permit. If it wasn't so cramped, I would tell you to completely redesign the layout to avoid the 'loop-de-loop' racetrack effect.

Once you've got that idea you should be better off. NOW, if you're really so stuck for space AND you would really rather not give up any of your ideas AND you don't have several thousand dollars of HO scale equipment and track sitting around, THEN I suggest you consider a switch to N scale, as that will give you a lot more effective space and an increase in operating possiblities roughly double that of HO. These days N and HO have very similar model availability and it makes considering the choice easier.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

BritsTukker

I take Jeff's point. You haven't actually said why you're using HO scale - is it just nostalgia (in which case a change to N would be quite sensible) or because you've already got a significant stock of HO track and rolling stock?

I myself have stuck to HO/OO partly for nostalgia, partly because I still have a significant stock of rolling stock and partly because as I get older my eyesight and dexterity are becoming limiting factors.

I think we need some feedback on your constraints: why everything on the flat? limitations on layout size (you already have a odd overall shape, so what are you working around?), what do the light and dark grey areas signify?

Mike from CT

I'm totally metric-impaired, so I converted the scale to "English" (inches) and was surprised to discover the overall diagram is some 30 feet by 11 feet.  That's a healthy bit of space, even in HO and even with just the 8 meters by 3 meters (roughly 26 1/4 feet x 9 3/4 feet ) of dark gray space.

Brits asked about the various spaces.  I'd ask about walls as well.  As is, the immediate problem is reaching things.

But depending on what the access availability is, there are any number of layouts that should offer for more opportunities for operation - even in HO.....

The Fat Controller

Thanks for the replies,

Firstly, the use of HO scale was more by default then a conscious decision. I do not know much about N scale, but I have an open mind, so I will definitely investigate the options there. Whilst I have a box of old HO track & loco with rolling stock packed away in a box somewhere, I didn't have any intention of incorporating it into this layout.

On the layout, the two grey areas indicate available space, the lighter grey area is approx 2 feet higher then the dark grey (but as the ground is soil, it could be excavated to improve ease of access). They entire grey areas are available for use but obviously access needs to be included.

There are walls around the grey areas on the left, top and right hand side, with the bottom side of the area open for access (with the exception of some randomly spaced pillars)

The sole reason for everything being flat was to keep things simple. Also, as I would like to carry a load (e.g. small grain rice painted black to resemble coal?) I imagine that a loco would struggle on a gradient with anything more then empty cars (uneducated assumption). To make things interesting I would vary the landscape around the track to be above and below track level at various locations to avoid a plain flat board/track.

When designing the track I knew that most would cringe at the "race track" style loops but I figured it was the only way to have a continuous track in the space without the corners getting too tight.
I may consider removing the loops and passenger trains, and just have freight & coal trains moving between 2-3 locations with loading & unloading facilities... but thinking about it, even that may be a big ask in the available space (in HO scale anyway..)

well, I've got plenty to investigate & think about.

cheers,
Chris

Jeff

I didn't have time yesterday to open the plan and really look at more than generalities, so I didn't realize that the space was so big - 11x30 feet is significant, even in HO. In N scale, it's HUGE. You could likely model a big chunk of one territory's railroads in that N space. Amd the benchwork needs a lot more thought, as Mike said. Please consider drawing in the total area including walls so that we can perhaps present a plan that utilizes the space to your advantage. Make sure you draw in things like doors, windows, and anyplace that the ceiling height was restricted (or taller than average, considering your height can vary).

I think I can say without too much stretching that we'll come up with something better than a series of loops!
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

The Fat Controller

I'll double check the room measurements and draw up a floor plan when I get home tonight (including floor to ceiling heights).

I appreciate the help.

cheers,
Chris

The Fat Controller

Hi Everyone,
I hope all is well.

Here is my attempt at a floor plan:
- black - indicates brick work
- red - indicates unusable area/no go zone
- There are no windows or doors and the area can be accessed through any of the gaps in the brickwork (but i would prefer not to use the far left gap as an access/entry path)
- blue line - below this line it is easy to stand, above the blue line one needs to bend over or kneel down (but still accessible) and can also be excavated easily to improve access if necessary. keep in mind that the area below the blue line can still be utilized with track due to the multiple access points.
The text is in a separate layer to make it easy to hide/delete them.

let me know if I missed anything.
thanks again for any help/advise you can offer.

cheers,
Chris

Jeff

One more question: The Red zones- you say "no go", but is that a floor-to-ceiling blockage, or a 'no space UNDER baseboard' or 'no space OVER baseboard' or... ?
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

BritsTukker

Chris, If I superimpose your track plan on this room drawing, then part of the coal unloading loop runs through the central red 'no-go' area, and the rear part of the plan is a VERY long reach from the front area where you can stand up. Looks like you were planning a layout on the floor you can crawl around on. If so, I would recommend it.
Would you accept a complete rethink of the plan?

The Fat Controller

The red Zones are floor to ceiling "no go", unfortunately I forgot about these areas when putting together the initial plan.

I think a complete redesign will be required to get the most efficient use of space.

I have a rough sketch of another plan, which is an "E" rotated 90 degrees. I'll try to get it onto anyrail when I find some time. I'm trying to keep the original yard in the same position though.

cheers,
Chris

Jeff

That's ok- your reply gives us all the initial info we need EXCEPT one little detail mentioned by H-J: where is it you want to model? Is it close to home or...? It makes a bit of a difference!
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

The Fat Controller

oops, I missed that one.

The location is in my home, adjacent to my downstairs workshop area (well it's more of a hobby room & tool storage at the moment)

While there is a much better location just outside my workshop room, unfortunately she who must be obeyed would never approve it.
At least being within my workshop room, I can literally lock myself in and do as I please.

We have only just moved in the house this year, so my workshop room has not been completely set up yet, but that may be an advantage as I can adapt my workshop so that it doesn't limit access to the floor plan area.

P.S. just to confirm, no space on the floor plan will be affected by the workshop area. The workshop is located below the floor plan on the other side of the pillars. And I do not want to run any track through the workshop as it is already near full capacity with all my other hobbies and DIY home maintenance tools/machines (unfortunately).

cheers,
Chris