Subject:
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Scale Modelers Aren't the Only Ones . . .
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:24:48 GMT
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Highlighted:
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(details)
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...who can build a working yard (0r, How I’ve been spending my nights lately)
After years of saying that I’d do it, I’ve finally started on my home layout.
The recent sale of switch points allowed me to purchase enough switches to build
what I’ve been dreaming of: a working switch yard in L-gauge, housed in my
basement (actually, the dream is to house it someplace warmer, but I was
forbidden from taking over the living room).
It’s
not much to look at, and the space is pretty cramped, but it’s functional.
A quick overview:
The image is a bit hard to read at this resolution, but the layout is set up as
follows: 1) Mainline Track
2) Caboose Track
3) Arrival/Departure Track
4) Maintenance of Way Track (mislabeled 8 for some reason)
5) Locomotive Yard
6) Classification Yard
7) Repair in Place Track
8) Runaround Track
9) Lead Track
The layout design is based on various articles I’ve read in some of the scale
modeling magazines and websites. I’ve blocked the layout into four areas, using
clear tape over the rails to electrically isolate them from each other.
The first area is the Mainline Track. Once I finish cleaning out the basement
and buying more track, this will eventually form a loop. Isolating this from
the yard will allow me to run trains continuously while I play with switching in
the yard.
The second area is the Arrival/Departure track. The regulator attached to this
area allows trains to move in from the mainline, drop off or pick up a caboose
(or plow from the MOW track in cases of snow), and to move either back out onto
the main, or into one of the yards.
The third blocked area is the Locomotive Yard. Right now this is only two
tracks for parking engines. I’m hoping to eventually expand this area to
include an engine shed, and maybe coaling and water towers.
The final block is the main yard. This is where all the fun happens. The
classification yard tracks, runaround track, and lead track allow me to swap
cars around pretty easily, so that I can break down inbound trains from the A/D
track, or build up outbound trains headed out of town.
Taking another idea from scale modelers, I’m working on a car card and waybill
system that will give me a semi-logical reason for switching cars. Each piece
of rolling stock will have a card, so I can either shuffle the cards to randomly
create a train which then needs to be built up, or I can use the cards to keep
track of destinations if I ever get a chance to build some industry areas in
another part of the basement.
The RIP track gives me another reason for switching. As I find cars that are
missing pieces, or need some sort of repair, I move them onto the repair track.
Since this track is located near where the engine shed will eventually be,
workers should have easy access to any tools needed for repairs. With the car
card system, cars from inbound trains may also need repairs before they can move
on. I’m thinking of using a random dice roll or something of that sort to
determine if the inspector flags a car for repair.
Well, back to the basement. If I get the rest of it cleaned up, I can build
some tables and get this layout up off the floor before spring.
If anyone has any layout recommendations, I’d love to hear them.
-Elroy
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Message has 4 Replies:
 | | Re: Scale Modelers Aren't the Only Ones . . .
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| I'm really looking foward to this. My biggest beef with pretty much every Lego layout I have seen is that they are basically a glorifed roundy roundy train set (ignore the fact that Lego trains are basically a glorifed train set!) There are some (...) (17 years ago, 27-Jan-08, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
| | | Re: Scale Modelers Aren't the Only Ones . . .
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| (...) A man after my own heart! I love yards, love designing yards. You have covered all the basic functions in a nice compact model. The car card system will be a lot of fun. I've always been a fan of "layouts with a purpose" -- producer/consumer (...) (17 years ago, 27-Jan-08, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
| | | Re: Scale Modelers Aren't the Only Ones . . .
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| In lugnet.trains, Elroy Davis wrote: -snip- (...) On the topic of fun, classification, and yard work, have you tried John Allen's Timesaver switching puzzle? It's very compatible with LEGO. A version I created is available here: (URL) The nice think (...) (17 years ago, 28-Jan-08, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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