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Another option for Colton to Banning in N scale

Started by jhn_plsn, May 30, 2021, 11:09:49 PM

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jhn_plsn

This would require a lift out/duck under and have no grades. There would be plenty of car movements and some mainline through trains. The yard operator would operate from the outside aisle leaving a more generous space for those inside. This would also be a less complex build and could be done in a modular fashion if desired.
 Inspired by https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6HlxJcaxDe2AyqGNqAP1Uw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu2XCIeVhCE .
singlelevelliftbridge5.30.21.1.jpg

chaz

George Booth created large HO layout in a garage after he retired. He documented the entire process. Besides being a good read, there is a lot of good stuff here. His operating sessions mimic a 12 hour day on the railroad for as few as 3 crews.

I recommend looking at the GW Ry Home Page.

MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

jhn_plsn

Quote from: chaz on May 31, 2021, 04:12:07 AMGeorge Booth created large HO layout in a garage after he retired. He documented the entire process. Besides being a good read, there is a lot of good stuff here. His operating sessions mimic a 12 hour day on the railroad for as few as 3 crews.

I recommend looking at the GW Ry Home Page.



Saved. I will take a look. Thank You. Every tidbit helps. In the past I have used car cards, RailOp, and now JMRI for operations.

chaz

He was plagued with "crud" buildup on the wheels...until he figured out Track Cleaning.
MP 525.25 on the Prosser Subdivision of the North Kansas Division of the MOPAC Railroad.

jhn_plsn

#4
I expanded the plan into the workshop area. I can go back to the workbench against the wall. In this plan the yard gains some depth and length plus the aisles can be broadened a bit. Those odd blue shapes represent my 6'2" and 270# frame, roughly. The freemoN connection should be at 50" but I like my benchwork high. Since the garage is sloped the floor at the back wall is 1-1/2" higher than at the large garage door. My thinking is that I could start track elevation at 53-1/2" on the left side and with the slope of the floor would put the right side at 55", considering the layout is flat and level. That requires some distance to cover the 5" difference to facilitate the freemoN module connection.

I'm liking the simplicity of the plan more and more.


jhn_plsn

The more I tinker and get behind what drives the program the more I like it. I know it sounds silly but simply adding points to a surface and making the point curved or rounded makes for some sexy shapes. Adding extra points helps to make those shapes sharper if desired. So cool.

I am tackling my plan a switching section at a time and trying to tie the mainline in after the fact. Fingers crossed it works out.

jhn_plsn

Still tinkering with the plan. In order to get the train length decent I had to curve some things that are not curved on the prototype, but that's ok. Most of the action on the layout will be around switching with a spattering of mainline action. I haven't added any industries in Beaumont and Banning yet, but there will be some work there.

jhn_plsn

I changed things up a bit in an effort to gain more space in the Colton area(not West Colton). So the diamonds got moved and a slight kink added. This allowed RR Recyclers to be moved over a tad but unfortunately not around the curve. I was hoping to get it straight. I add some industries to Beaumont and Banning to show my intentions.
Of course this is not set in stone.
By the way I do like the ability to add points here and there to bend the layout surface to the desired shape.

jhn_plsn

I changed gears a bit. The more I spread the industries out and create track to work them the longer everything gets. So Beaumont and Banning are gone in exchange for a better Colton Diamond set up. Including the Santa Fe section along La Cadena will allow for an active FreemoN connection. The siding at Colton and Loma Linda are now one long siding for the local to work from.

As usual, this may change.

jhn_plsn

Still tinkering. I may just put narrow staging just below the top deck connecting with one turn helix on each end.

jhn_plsn

Another option. This removes the Branchline but I gain a bit more canyon run and can stretch the switching areas a bit. SP staging would go under the layout and the ATSF staging would come in from the wrong end but would be visible and easy to operate.
2022-01-01 (4).png

jhn_plsn


jhn_plsn

Rather than have staging under the layout I am looking at a nolix to extend the mainline and lengthen Beaumont and Banning. Staging would then be on the top level and would be easier to access. Only one helix this way reducing hidden run time.
2022-06-26.png
 

jhn_plsn

#13
My solution to get to the next level(staging) and extend the work track for points west of the yard. Points west would be Petterman Lumber, A1-Grit, and the Kaiser steel interchange yard.