A New Beginning?

[untabubba]

I have been debating tearing down my dysfunctional, ill-conceived monstrosity and starting anew. See, I really do not have much experience and I think I jumped in WAY over my head both in size and "complexity" without any plan at all. I'm thinking about following a really neat plan. It is featured in the M.R. Mar. 2005 issue. It's called "Havaphew Central" built by Don Culp. It's small, but "busy", with plenty of switching action. I hope this link takes you to the page that details the track plan. http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=244 It is, basically a double oval capable of running two trains simultaneously. Lots of little industries, etc. ALL in 2.5 X 5 feet! The thing I like is that there is a total "schematic" of the layout, complete with a track parts list! That monster in my basement was literally made up as I went....... and I guess you all can TELL that And it works that way too. (Well, it doesn't work very well, hence the frustration!) So, let me know what you think....... untabubba Marc MAY be back in the layout building bidniz!

[g-pa1]

AS for scenery, with a name like haveaphew, you will have to have a brewery as an industry and also a Thipaphew Tavern! Gene

[ginzokid]

I just posted a sketch of Marc's proposed layout with an added storage yard. The black lines are the original and the red lines are my additions. This is one possibility only. I am trying not to overwhelm Marc with a lot of extra track and wiring. Simplicity with better storage and operation was my goal. The way I have designed it there is also a turning "wye" and engine escape crossovers so a train can be pulled into the yard, the engine uncoupled and backed out via the escape track and turned on the wye. This way an engine can then back into the yard and couple to a train and pull it out forward. Now let's hear from the rest of you with your ideas. TheDesignFadda

[untabubba]

Pete et al.......(Whoever Al is?) I printed out a copy from the plan I saved to my computer. I have been studying it and it became immediately obvious (and clear) what you are saying about having the main yard outside the loop. Beauty is.....I already have the benchwork that would accomodate the set up. I still think I will build the mainlines first. I can always place a turnout at the appropriate spot for "future use". The juices are starting to flow! Marc

[g-pa1]

I like that track plan alot. The beauty is that unlike most track plans there is a way to run the trains in the other direction via the wye. Pete (or anyone) would each engine crossover and the wye's connections require insulated track joiners and have to be wired separately as blocks? How many blocks would be needed? The only thing I would do differently is have the yard go parallel to the main but then not sure how a wye would be done. If this was done via DCC would there have to be any blocks at all? Would the wye be considered a reversing track? (I think that is the term). I am looking to add a small storage yard to my original track plan at the back of the layout. Possibly three feet long and maybe 14" wide. Probably Atlas track as it would be coming off the long main where there is atlas track already. Gene Inquiring minds want to know. And Marc get busy I want to see that track built!!

[beastranger]

That's pretty close to my big layout except with 3 loops and the yard being hidden. Doug

[ginzokid]

Yes Marc, start slowly. The yard and wye, which is a reversing section and does require special wiring, can always be added later and at either of the sidings that are on the original plan. Gene, Part of your answer is above. If you go with DCC you do not need to have any insulating rail joiners as long as you follow the two rules of wiring we have discussed many times. You can create blocks just by using power routing turnouts, which I would also suggest that Marc use in the yard, especially with DC only. You can run your yard parallel if you want to and a wye can still be accomplished. On the plan above, just swing the yard to the right using the wye as the hinge point. You will now have a long curved lead into the yard and still have the wye. Can you picture it? If you were to do this, I would be inclined to make the yard double ended though. Food for thought. B-)

[untabubba]

Guys, I already have a reversing section on my existing layout. If you go to my photo album and look at the "Aerial View" pic, you will see the big "X" in the middle. I thought a big "cross country" run would be a cool way to reverse a trians travel. The layout, as it exists, does it very concisely. I like that!And yes, I understand the wiring needs. Gene, there are LOTS of insulated joiners required for the sidings, wye and reversing circuitry. You also need "double pole, double throw" (I think) switches to operate the reversing section. I have one for the purpose already....I think Atlas might call them "selectors" or "controllers". It don't matter what they are called I have two and understand the necessary wiring. Marc (Just got called to a meeting!)

[dl85vette]

Thanks Pete for posting a drawing of my suggestion. marc, you can fit a few tracks (5-6 ish) in a 12 inch wide peninsula (yard) providing the yard is 4 ft long or more. (this under the basic ladder yard configuration) which is a pretty darn good car capacity for N scale. Dave out of suggestions as Marc is starting to envision the improvements for operations/scenery. As long as you install ALL turnouts on the main loops, then the loops will be funstional and don't have to mess with them at a later date to install industries. And yes, install that one turnout for the (future) yard lead.

[ginzokid]

Feb. issue of MR has a nifty small layout on page 74. One feature of this layout is a scenery divider down the middle of one part that yields two different scenes on each side using "flats" instead of complete buildings. This plan need to be revised a bit as there is a semi-reversing section but it is not complete. There is no way to reverse back again. Look at the track crossing through the divider and notice what I mean. This plan also allows for running two trains independently. B-)

[ginzokid]

Correction everyone. It is the MARCH issue of MR that I meant. Mea Culpa!

[ginzokid]

You still tearing down Marc? Save those switches! B-)

[untabubba]

Pete, Yes, it's mostly torn down, except for a section that I really DO like. It's a stretch with some great switching action. It actually is set up so a train can access three different loops that I had wired so they could all run independently. Man, I HATE to give that up! I tried to take the turnouts up as gently as I could. I'm hoping to be able to use all of them. Well, as many as I need. (I have more than the Havaphew calls for.) Marc BTW: Congrats on the Anniversary!