trisonic Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 To misquote Jack Shortliner, track plans for North American layouts often bear little relationship to UK/European plans. This is the place to post your ideas for trackplans, links to interesting trackplans or your drawings for trackplans. It will not be limited by the size of trackplans or whether they are based on Class A railroads, Shortlines, Industrial or anything else that I can't think of right now, like narrow gauge. The one thing linking them should be North American practice. Carry on, Pete. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointstaken Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 Being interested in switching layouts, I'm redrafting the "Deepwater Ry and Navigation Co" (Plan 19 in "102 Realistic Track Plans") in N scale, along with a few modifications to convert it to an urban industrial district. I really don't want a car float and port, I feel they are rather cliched. For anyone who wants a large urban shortline switching layout, I would suggest M.C Fujiwara's "Dogeared and Broken Spine" - you will need to search via Google or Yahoo for this, it's an old thread in the Model Railroader forums. Dennis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 (edited) http://thestagingyar...lubbock-011.jpg http://thestagingyard.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/west-chandler-01.jpg http://thestagingyard.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/guadalupe-full.jpg http://thestagingyard.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/guadalupedraft01.gif http://thestagingyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/tempe-industrial-lead-011.jpg Edited November 5, 2011 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 (edited) I love the description of the Staging Yard for Plan#2 :- "Some sorta slidey rack thing".... we call them Traversers in the UK My own favourite plan under consideration at the moment... a good ol' Inglenook. Gentlemen I give you Randolph, MN on the Progressive Rail's lines (ex-CNW main line). Okay so the yard carries on for quite a way north-east, and has turnouts at the far end that make some of the spurs actually sidings (or sidings into loops in UK parlance), but at the yard entrance it's a classic two-turnouts/three spurs Inglenook.... Edited November 5, 2011 by F-UnitMad 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Hi, Firstly, I like to say what a great idea (thanks Jack) to have a Track Plans thread. Track Plans are such a great source of inspiration. As I'm gradually getting to grips with Anyrail (thanks Talltim), I've started to put together some plans. Thought I might as well add my current layout CSX Palmetto Spur, which has been well documented on RMWeb. Next, I'm currently at the early stages of planning a new layout and looking for something a bit different, I found a small CSX branch off the Amtrak main line at Deland,FL about 30 miles north of Orlando. The branch serves a facility which receives plastic pellets in covered hoppers. Here's a pic I'm planning to use Walthers 'Magic Pan Bakeries' as the basis of the plastics facility, as the kit includes 2 sets of hopper unloading pipes Also, in order for the plan to be different from Palmetto, I've included a run-around and a trailing spur serving a Food Processor. Like Palmetto the plan is 9ft x 15ins, using Peco Code 100 with medium radius turnouts. I've still got to do lots more research etc, so it's unlikely that this project will commence until 2012 regards, Mal 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_long Posted November 7, 2011 Share Posted November 7, 2011 As Mal has taken the initiative and posted about his new layout project, here and on Big blue, I thought that I'd share my idea for my new project also. The layout will be built in a Chicago environment and will be based on a track plan that caused a storm in a tea cup a few weeks back. I'll leave that debate to others but its based on the track plan from Nick Palette and Fabrice Fayolle. Although will be closer in appearance to Alex Losch of Fat city terminal RR fame. I found these two charming locos and small shortline in the South of the city, unfortunately of this year the shortline on BNSF leased rails went out of business and is no longer although the locos are still sat in their compound waiting for a buyer. CIRY 1206 and 1209 The layout will be a very urban affair using a mix of industries and buildings taken from this district of Chicago and below is the track plan in its basic form: The layout is designed as a self contained 5' x 1' layout with exhibitions in mind. The two locos are SW9s although there is very little in it 1206 is actually painted up as a SW1200 but this is incorrect. Regards Dave 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 There's a section following the Central Illinois on this C.Vision Productions DVD Windy City Rails Vol 7... very inspirational! Also loads of pics here at Railpictures.net Enjoy!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_long Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Thanks Jordan, I have a feeling that most of the photos of the CIRY that are on the web have come from a small group of photographers as across the usual sites there appear to be a lot of duplicates. However there is a chap on flickr who seems to have been a chief engineer at the compound. He was also responsible for deciding that 1206 should be painted in a CB&Q style paint job. See here http://www.flickr.com/photos/18682661@N06/sets/72157624642065468 Plus youtube has some good videos to gain some of the atmosphere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z5wnOdzeok&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuPWaT_9gPU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooySb-vxzlM Then if I get tired of those little SWs then post CIRY the BNSF have continued to switch the industries with a GP50 amongst other locos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuW3R9Hv448 I suppose I should put up a seperate thread for this. Dave 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 (edited) Pete asked me to put some of my trackplans on here, which I will do, but I'd like the first one to be by a friend who is no longer with us, Petar Kanuritch (who posted on here as Versif).This particular one is, as were most of his, a shelf switcher, called Turner Point Yard - relatively simple, but capable of keeping an operator busy for a while - Roads/hardstandings are grey, buildings are green - note that extension cassettes could be added to the diagonal track top left, to the diagonal track top right (which was the original "fiddle" track, and to the track that passes inside the building bottom right Edited November 21, 2011 by shortliner 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_long Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 That's a neat plan Jack. Sad to hear Peter is no longer with us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Although Versif's plan has a double slip (as does Jack's classic "Box St" plan) that does remind me of two types of track layout that are (or at least seem) common in the US and very rare in the UK - part of the reason for this thread as I understand it? They seem to use far more diamond crossings in the US than here, and especially on mainlines where one Railroad crosses another, even at 90degrees. The only example of this I can think of in the UK is at Newark (I'm not thinking of Stations where it was more common years ago, e.g. Newcastle on Tyne). Allied to this situation is where there is also a track curving between the two lines to link them, ironically as shown in that link at Newark!!, and to interchange trains. So flat crossings and Interchange tracks are what stand out to me as different/much more common (in terms of track plan) in the US to the UK/EU. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 I've never seen Newark (UK) from the air (I've seen Newark NJ a cazillion times) - it really does look American! Very nice plan from Peter, Jack - subtley interesting and less than one foot wide. Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) There was a flat crossing at Retford on the ECML too http://www.rmweb.co....php?f=4&t=11437 ;-) A superb example of the the difference between US and UK layouts, what would an American do with 70'? Edited November 9, 2011 by Talltim 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Grant 4472 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 One thing I've noticed about all the track plans here, is that they have a very 'British' modellers' feel to them. They all include an 'everywhere else', off-scene track, which really adds to therealism, for me. The majority of small to medium US track plans that I see, all seem to want to run round and round, filling the available space with track. The most unrealistic of all aspects for me are the preposterous tunnels, which are built into the smallest of hills that suddenly appear, like a boil, in an otherwise flat landscape....and there are often tracks skirting the hill anyway. That said, I really need to get track plans sorted for Sweethome Alabama and Sweethome Chicago. Can anyone suggest user-friendly and easy to use software, so I can upgrade from pencil and paper...or back of fag packet...drawings. Thanks Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Grant 4472 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Next, I'm currently at the early stages of planning a new layout and looking for something a bit different, I found a small CSX branch off the Amtrak main line at Deland,FL about 30 miles north of Orlando. The branch serves a facility which receives plastic pellets in covered hoppers. Here's a pic Love this photo, Mal. I must get myself a plastic pellets siding Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alcanman Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 That said, I really need to get track plans sorted for Sweethome Alabama and Sweethome Chicago. Can anyone suggest user-friendly and easy to use software, so I can upgrade from pencil and paper...or back of fag packet...drawings. Thanks Jon Hi Jon, Have a look at 'Anyrail'. The basic version is free to download, and fine for small / medium sized layouts ('empire builders' will need to pay for the full package) It's reasonably easy to learn, and looks good. I used it for the 2 plans in this thread. regards, Mal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talltim Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I'll second that recommendation. If you don't add in scenic items ( Lines and polygons don't count as itens) then the 50 item limit will do a large layout. I know Jack likes XTrackCAD but I couldn't get to grips with the control of curves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Grant 4472 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Thanks for the information. I'll give 'Anyrail' a go. I have one of the old Cadrails but never got the time to play with it or the time to read the humungous book of instructions. Jon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Gwinnett Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 This featured in one of the old rmeb incarnations, but seems to have disappeared. Milan Mi, Ann Arbor/NS interchange: http://binged.it/vfsOB1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M Graff Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Very interesting thread! I agree that there is a difference in U.S. Vs European design for U.S.-style layouts. I searched the web for inspiration when designing my layout, and got tips from Forums both here and in the U.S., wich in the end resulted in a layout wich suited me perfectly: It is an urban style layout, 10' by 16". A regular operating session takes 90 minutes, and is very fun to do with two operators. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 Michael, Do you have a fiddleyard at ,say, the left hand end of your layout? I must admit to not checking your main thread/blog!!!! Cheers, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I promised Pete that I'd put some trackplans on here and then got diverted by Sweethome Alabama, and the Eagles. So here are some small space ideas 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 (edited) and some more - some inspired by variations on Bob Hughes Port Able layout Edited November 22, 2011 by shortliner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortliner Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 and more 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M Graff Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Michael, Do you have a fiddleyard at ,say, the left hand end of your layout? I must admit to not checking your main thread/blog!!!! Cheers, Pete. No, I use the carfloat instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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