Reconsideration of Track Plan

The previous plan 'Myrtle West' in which the main station area was staging has been dropped. Although it was a good candidate for a layout with alot of scenery I have come to the realisation that, to me personally, nothing comes close to 'operation per sq foot' of layout space as a shunting yard layout.

Back in June 2001, I happen to buy Model Railroader and a layout by American Jonathan Jones always stuck in my mind. I also wondered how this guy living in a New York apartment could derive hours of fun from his 2 x 10 foot layout!

He beautifully writes that "While the mega-layouts are undeniable fun to operate, challenging to build, and inspirational, I feel that small layouts like mine can be just as powerful in those same respects". That really had a profound affect and I began to realise that one doesn't need a huge layout. For anyone who wants further information, Jonathan Jones' layout can be read in Model Railroader - May 2001.

So hence I have reverted to a track plan that is based on a fictional country terminus. I have added a couple of small industries, a Goods Shed, Cattle Yard from the main, a silo or cement works (undecided) and a small engine depot. Here are some pictures of the work in progress.

Cheers







As requested by Rob here is a track plan of "Myrtle" - click on picture to enlarge.

Back from Melbourne

Had a wonderful time at Melbourne - took plenty of video of the general workings at Sunshine and also took a XPT ride to Albury and back - here are some videos:

NR Long End Leading from Somerton:



A70 on an Up Pass:



NR120 on Down Overland:



More to come later. :)

Short Video

Here is a short video of the layout showing the entry into Myrtle West (Staging)

Myrtle West

Hi All

It's been a while since I last posted anything that is relevant to my layout. This is because I have gone away and changed my layout for the umpteen time! Unfortunately I have pretty much thought about and layed out all possible layouts and schematics!
At the end of the day I think less is more. Anyway here is a hand drawn plan of the layout.
The major concept is that the 'main town' is actually staging - with a couple of industries 'just' out of town serviced by the local pilot. These 'just out of town' industries are modeled - so there is some shunting involved, but mainly this is a scenery based layout - sit back and enjoy type - BTW, all trains approach and depart Myrtle West quite slowly, so the actual run time from staging and back into staging (main town) is close to three real minutes.

I learnt that modeling a town, with three yard tracks and a main line, together with a Goods Shed and all the associated points and curves eats up too much space and not doable to my satisfaction with the space I have.

See diagram for further details (click to enlarge diagram).

Any comments much appreciated.

Cheers!

Merry Christmas

Hi All

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Remember to drive carefully throughout the year!

How to double your space

Today, Craig came over to see my layout first hand. After seeing his layout it really inspired me to get away from that flat plywood look. Pondering in the shed on what to do, I noticed my shelving which is 40cm under my layout which is where I store my wagons, I arrived to the idea of using this area as staging! This would free-up valuable space on the otherside of 'Myrtle' rather than be full of track and parked 'staged' wagons. Problem was how to get to the normal layout height from 40 cms below. This would required at least a 4% grade!

Craig suggested to take a T class and create a 4% grade. To my surprise, the T started to wheel-slip with about 10 wagons and a 'good' load on the short track we mocked up. Then it hit me - why don't I use the space under the whole layout and gradually climb the 40cms - this would reduce my gradient to about 2% and under, as well as give me extra mainline running ! So this is the current plan, to use the space under the main board to stage as well as climb to the top of the layout. Off course, this means the lawn-mover will need to have the handles put down and me bending over alot lower to enter and exit the shed. Well let's see how this turns out....

Craig's Shed - Visit

I had the previlige to visit Craig's shed on the weekend and was astounded to find a club size layout in his shed! The one thing that I was really impressed with was the amount of thought that went into the layout - and this is not the track plan, but rather how the baseboard/s were created to demonstrate gradients, curves, and overall operation. Off course the track plan was also well thought out and I became easily lost finding my way from Cassino to Acacia Ridge. Anyone's dream layout! I also was kindly allowed to video some of the layout and here is some action at 'Cassino'!



Cheers
Shelton.