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 Posted - March 13 2009 : 09:24:23 AM
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Well, I'm on March Break now, so I have to find something to occupy me for a week.
I started looking at my layout. There's been absolutely no work done to it for months, and that's really bugging me.
So I've decided to start over, rip up all the track and start with a clean slate. Why? For starters, I hate the track plan I used. It's too simple. Secondly, I made a stupid mistake of trying to squeeze a second loop in there. And to top it off, I decided to build directly on plywood instead of putting down some foam or Homasote, or something like that.
Basically I didn't plan anything. 
So, where do you good people on the forum come in? Well, I would like a track plan for a 4' x 8' space.
Not just anything though, something old, from the 50's if possible. And complex. REALLY complex. 
I figured romcat probably has a library full of old track plans, don't ya? 
In short, could anyone provide me with an old 4' x 8' track plan?
    
- Matt -
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 Posted - March 13 2009 : 10:20:20 AM
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| Just curious Matt did you have any initial objectives with the new layout? Did you still want 2 train running or would you rather go single? Any DCC involved or you staying with blocked? Any intrest in elevation changes or just keeping it flat? (which I guess is probably alot easier in a 4x8 space). We know you want sidings out the wazoo I'm always looking at layout stuff during my lunch break (future planning) if I see anything interesting I'll drop it off here!
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 10:31:05 AM
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I knew DCC would be far too expensive for me, so DC is what I like.
And I would like to run more than one train at once, if possible. I did make some blocked sections with my current track work, so I could stop a train on a siding and let another pass.
Elevated sections might be difficult, but would certainly be a plus if completed.
I might be asking too much for the space available, I realize that.
- Matt -
Edited by - MM 1498 on March 13 2009 10:32:11 AM
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 11:05:23 AM
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By the way, the track plan I have set up now is called "Rock Junction", and it was featuerd in the July 2002 edition of Model Railroader.
- Matt -
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 11:48:07 AM
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I'm strongly considering this plan, unless I can find something else that looks even better.
Because there are lots of different sidings, I could wire them seperate and leave a train parked there while another goes around the loop.
The small freight yard at the bottom would be great too, since it is right at the edge I could uncouple cars easily by hand.
- Matt -
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 2:40:50 PM
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Hey Pal:
I have a old book by the 50's editor of Model railroader , can't think of his name; Linn something. anyway the book is a how to from beginning to end witha skyline route and all sorts of fun...
I'll try to attach a diagram...
I found it, Linn Westcott.
Hope the diagram helps?
-Gareth
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 5:19:57 PM
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Hey romcat, that is along the lines of what I'd like to do. Track plans form the 50's seem to be made so they're fun to watch, instead of simpler to look more realistic.
If you find any 4' x 8' track plans, let me know would ya?
In the mean time, I'm going to go to the local library to pick up an excellent book there...I forget the title and author, but there is a good showing of Tyco and Revell products. Gives you an idea of what era it's from.
- Matt -
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 5:41:13 PM
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Hey:
Except for the fold down yard, that is a 4x8... Your library may have the book the the Ho Model railroad that grows in the system. Check their catalouge....
-Gareth
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 Posted - March 13 2009 : 6:17:36 PM
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The book I was thinking of is called "The Complete Book of Model Railroading", by David Sutton. It was published in 1964! 
Lots of Mantua, and Varney locomotives inside.
I also picked up a copy of a book much like one featured on the forum a little while ago, it was mentioned because it used only Tyco products. "The HO Model Railroading Handbook" by Robert Schleicher, as mine is called, looks almost like a second edition of "The Tyco Model Railroading Handbook", which GIC brought up.
In fact, one particular picture is quite amusing. It has five F-units, two GP-20s, and two 4-6-2s. All are VERY clearly Tyco units, but the caption mentions Athearn, Bachmann, Atlas, Mantua, and Life-Like are the manufacturers pictured.
Then we're treated to a kitbash of a Tyco SD-24 and a GP-20.
And then how to repair a locomotive. Good thing it uses a PowerTorque motor as an example!
Oh, and when wiring your layout, be sure to use Tyco Prestomatic switches.
Because if you don't we will find you.
- Matt -
Edited by - MM 1498 on March 13 2009 8:27:00 PM
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 9:06:18 PM
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Hello Gareth, I have a few of Linn Wescott's books, "HO Primer" and the picture you have is from "HO Railroad that Grows".
Mike
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 9:25:16 PM
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 10:05:55 PM
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Hate to add another option, but I'm pretty sure the track plan romcat posted was featured in this book:
I've read it many times, and form some reason has ended up at libraries around me before. The pic is from eBay, so it won't be there forever, but I thought I'd post it for now.
(Edit: Oh, and by all means, please correct me if I'm wrong.)
D.J. (Yeah, I'm "that kid"... Deal.)
http://railroadrandomness.blogspot.com/
Look; a new blog...
Yippee!
Edited by - DJdeTrainman on March 13 2009 10:07:26 PM
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 10:14:26 PM
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I'll admit that the Linn Westcott track plan looks interesting, but I'm still leaning towards the plan I mentioned.
If you've got anything else though, please post it, I'm not giving anything the go ahead anytime soon!
- Matt -
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 10:46:00 PM
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quote:....can't think of his name; Linn something....
-Gareth
Originally posted by romcat-March 13 2009: 2:40:50 PM
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Oh! dude...am I THAT old? It's Linn Westcott and it's spoken in hushed, reverential tones...
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 11:14:12 PM
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The track plan you posted looks somewhat similar to the Red Wing Division plan that I picked for the STC. The corner yard, the triple-tracks on one end, and the internal spurs are all similar.
Only trouble I see with that plan is curved passing siding on the left end. It's going to be compressed such that what, maybe 4 cars would fit... unless your era calls for shorties.
One thing to keep in mind is car lengths. If you don't plan to run cars longer than 60' in length, that plan should work. But if you do, you'll ideally want 22" curves wherever you can (at least for a mainline run).
The STC is compressed to 18" on that narrow end by the yard... the 89' cars will run there but it gets hairy sometimes. And only 2 of those would fit in a theoretical passing siding there.
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Posted - March 13 2009 : 11:26:08 PM
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The longest cars I plan on running are my 72' Con-Cor passenger cars...I know 22" radius would be better for appearance and performance, but I would be okay with 18".
That left siding is actually identical to the design of the track I had down previously. I had no problems with it, other than that space was limited as you said. But it was the perfect size for a small switcher carrying a few cars.
- Matt -
Edited by - MM 1498 on March 13 2009 11:28:52 PM
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Posted - March 14 2009 : 5:56:23 PM
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Gotta drop my towtruck and pick up my car for Pizza deliveries tonight but email me Sunday and I'll try to post some alternates for ya,
-Gareth
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Posted - March 26 2009 : 7:00:58 PM
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Well, I'm giving the track plan I posted the go ahead. Still a little more planning to do of course.
I'm thinking of doing two levels perhaps, I could have a small loop on a platform I'll make into a mountain or something. Probably not though...
- Matt -
Edited by - MM 1498 on March 26 2009 7:03:25 PM
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