Track Plans for North American Layouts

[mdvle]

Not sure if this is worth posting, likely won't apply to most given the focus on larger layouts and an obsession with using a helix.

 

The current edition of The Roundhouse podcast is about designing model railroads, and is a discussion with Dan Bourque who is behind the Appalachian Railroad Modeling website.

 

Podcast - https://theroundhousepodcast.com/2019/10/25/088-how-to-design-a-model-railroad/

 

Appalachian Railroad Modeling - https://appalachianrailroadmodeling.com/  (in addition to the assorted track plans he has designed there are other sources of info on the site)

 

At one point he mentions 2 sources he uses when researching railroad lines.

 

First is Historic Aerials, which offers access to aerial images and topographic maps of the US, at least sometimes including the past - https://www.historicaerials.com/

 

He also mentions a series of Atlases which can be found at https://www.spv.co.uk/acatalog/american_railroading_atlases_spv.html (or for those in North America - https://www.steam-powered-video.co.uk/acatalog/american_railroading_atlases_spv.html )

 

 

[mdvle]

Some industrial spurs that may provide inspiration, found when going through fire insurance maps for Calgary AB Canada

 

 

 

 

Both maps are approximately 800' across (HO: 9.2' / O: 16.6' / S: 12.5' / N: 5')

[mdvle]

Given the ongoing interest in street running, an example that could provide a more interesting way to model it on a layout.

 

Segments from fire insurance maps for Hamilton, Ontario, Canada showing Ferguson Avenue which had street running by CN.  More interesting from a modeling perspective, there was also a freight shed located along this street so a layout based around a freight shed could prototypically have the mainline running down a otherwise residential street, and the mainline having a passing siding.

 

Posted links to some images to give an idea of the neighbourhood just past the freight shed here - https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55031-street-running-in-the-usa-or-canada/&do=findComment&comment=3719031

 

Clips are from 3 adjoining pages.

 

Edited November 2, 2019 by mdvle
added link to picture post

[mdvle]

And for steam fans, or early diesel where the steam facilities were used, a reasonably compact roundhouse complex.  The external stuff is compact enough one could halve or third the size of the roundhouse and it could still be reasonable.

 

This is CPR's Ottawa West roundhouse (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) from fire insurance maps December 1956.  Images can be found at:

http://urbsite.blogspot.com/2012/05/cpr-ottawa-west-roundhouse-remembered.html

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/ottawa_west/one.htm

 

[mdvle]

December 2019 Model Railroad Hobbyist has a 12'x3' N scale Vermont Layout, Rails to Richford

 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/

[mdvle]

Blog post featuring an HO 10' x 10' x 12" shelf layout, and industrial switching spur, featuring just 2 turnouts and 36" curves.

http://hedley-junction.blogspot.com/2020/02/another-look-at-avenue-industrielle.html

 

[edit]

 

The blogger has made a second post with an updated track plan

http://hedley-junction.blogspot.com/2020/02/additional-thoughts-on-avenue.html

Edited February 21, 2020 by mdvle

[mdvle]

Not a track plan, but a blog post pointing out that the conventional wisdom about staging yards doesn't always apply, and that some layout designs can do without (assuming you have enough space to grow beyond the small layout with fiddle yard)

 

http://centralvermontrailway.blogspot.com/2020/02/one-step-back-three-steps-forward.html

 

 

[rockershovel]

Just saw this.... wouldn’t it make a good prototype for running too many locos in a roundy-round format, in just about any scale? 

 

https://coloradorailroadmuseum.org

[mdvle]

Better link for those checking this out in the future when it is off the front page.

 

Blog post showing an aerial view of the Colorado Railroad Museum ground and it's nice roundy-roundy layout

https://coloradorailroadmuseum.org/2020/04/25/around-the-rail-yard-4-25-20/

[DavidB-AU]

I've mentioned in another context that I thought they built the museum line from a Linn Westcott plan. 

 

[mdvle]

Several things.

 

First, a blog of layout plans called The Journal of Model Railroad Design - http://www.jomrd.com/

 

Second, from the above blog an interesting layout idea for those who can't dedicate a shelf or room to a layout and instead need something that can sit on the kitchen table to operate - a layout of 2 back-to-back inglenooks connected by sector plate in 5' x 1.5' in HO. http://www.jomrd.com/index.php?page=ShowRecord&ID=125

 

Finally, the 2 entries (and thus winners) of the Model Rail Radio layout planning contest for an 18'x12' room:

https://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/138998-model-rail-radio-is-running-an-ho-track-planning-contest/&do=findComment&comment=3947387

[rockershovel]

One thing I’ve always regarded as very American, is the reversing loop or wye, with its derivative; the loop-to-loop layout consisting of a long single track with a loop at each end. 

 

Another typically American feature, single track main line, allowing the running of large rolling stock on single tracks.

[Jeff Smith]

I remember watching a short freight train dropping off cars near the airport in Montreal when I had a grandstand view from a high hotel room.  I watched it reverse into a siding but then the next one was facing the opposite way so it disappeared and reappeared about half an hour later facing the opposite way.  Presumably there was a reversing wye somewhere nearby.

[Supaned]

I've always liked Rob Chant's (Journal of Layout Design) plans when he has posted them on facebook groups , so thanks for the heads up about the website - lots of great ideas there

[mdvle]

From 2 blog posts, 2 slight variations on a layout around the walls of an 16'x10' room - layout being designed to be inspired by rather than accurate to a real section of CN line and thus able to be flexible enough for a random collection of rolling stock so many of us seem to end up with.

 

First version - http://hedley-junction.blogspot.com/2020/05/cn-armagh-subdivision-exploration-in.html

 

Second version  - slightly more simplified - http://hedley-junction.blogspot.com/2020/05/cn-armagh-subdivision-refining-concept.html

[daveyb]

On 30/10/2019 at 21:17, mdvle said:

Some industrial spurs that may provide inspiration, found when going through fire insurance maps for Calgary AB Canada

 

 

 

 

Both maps are approximately 800' across (HO: 9.2' / O: 16.6' / S: 12.5' / N: 5')

Unusually bits of the 34th Ave SE near 9th At SE in Calgary (top pic) are still in use; the plywood store to the west (top) of 9th St is now Triple Tree Trading, a plastics recycling site that receives a few hoppers a month. Immediately to the South (left) of 34th Ave there is a busier section remaining.

 

[Shantyjohn]

I’ve just trawled through all 27 pages and, wow, what inspiration.

 

Having negotiated with the domestic secretariat, I have room for a 15’ shelf with the possibility of a 4’ leg to make a L. I wanna n gauge and set in the last 20 years on NS/CSX.

 

In that length I should be able to have a modern industrial park, but I don’t really want complicated pointwork as the real thing tends to be fairly simple these days. I’m thinking ethanol plant, food processing, rail/road transfer and scrap for the industries. So just about any type of car, and enough length to at least give the impression of a unit train.

 

Does that little lot seem a reasonable prospect, bearing in mind it will be my one and only layout and will take a few years and probably see me out?

 

Thoughts welcome.

[Keith Addenbrooke]

36 minutes ago, Shantyjohn said:

I’ve just trawled through all 27 pages and, wow, what inspiration.

 

Having negotiated with the domestic secretariat, I have room for a 15’ shelf with the possibility of a 4’ leg to make a L. I wanna n gauge and set in the last 20 years on NS/CSX.

 

In that length I should be able to have a modern industrial park, but I don’t really want complicated pointwork as the real thing tends to be fairly simple these days. I’m thinking ethanol plant, food processing, rail/road transfer and scrap for the industries. So just about any type of car, and enough length to at least give the impression of a unit train.

 

Does that little lot seem a reasonable prospect, bearing in mind it will be my one and only layout and will take a few years and probably see me out?

 

Thoughts welcome.

Hi Shantyjohn, have you picked up on the work of Lance Mindheim - his ideas on industrial layouts and shelf layouts may help? Keith.

[mdvle]

4 hours ago, Shantyjohn said:

I’ve just trawled through all 27 pages and, wow, what inspiration.

 

Having negotiated with the domestic secretariat, I have room for a 15’ shelf with the possibility of a 4’ leg to make a L. I wanna n gauge and set in the last 20 years on NS/CSX.

 

In that length I should be able to have a modern industrial park, but I don’t really want complicated pointwork as the real thing tends to be fairly simple these days. I’m thinking ethanol plant, food processing, rail/road transfer and scrap for the industries. So just about any type of car, and enough length to at least give the impression of a unit train.

 

Does that little lot seem a reasonable prospect, bearing in mind it will be my one and only layout and will take a few years and probably see me out?

 

Thoughts welcome.

 

Perhaps ask in the main USA & Canadian section, where more people will see it and you can have a thread dedicated to your layout?

Edited May 18, 2020 by mdvle

[F-UnitMad]

Lance Mindheim's Blog: https://lancemindheim.com/contact/

 

The posts under 'Model Railroad design' especially are food for thought. Great switching layout operating potential does not depend on complex trackwork, or even how much track you have; it's all about 'car spots' - how many destinations for freight cars you have.

[mdvle]

HO Scale 1'x5' self contained switching layout (uses illusion of a barge to get cars on / off)

 

http://www.jomrd.com/index.php?page=ShowRecord&ID=33

 

[Night Train]

Thats brilliant. Has everything you need in a small layout.

[mdvle]

The latest Rapido newsletter features at the end a bit of an inspiration piece on 2 small, easy to build layouts that might be of interest to those who think that they don't have the space.

 

Both layouts are HO.

 

The first is "Legend of Tinker Hollow", a micro layout in 20" by 62" with a continuous loop - made possible with short equipment and built in the free time Covid created.  Done on foam core there is a description of the materials he used.

 

The second layout is a switching layout called "Fond du Lac" on 12" x 72" foam, with the completed layout weighing only 8 lbs making it easy to put into and remove from storage.

 

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Rapido-News-128---Two-new-locos--a-caboose--plus-Comets--SW1200s-and-more-.html?soid=1101318906379&aid=70OTnJXJYWc

Edited August 14, 2020 by mdvle
edited to add scale

[F-UnitMad]

4 hours ago, mdvle said:

The latest Rapido newsletter features at the end a bit of an inspiration piece on 2 small, easy to build layouts that might be of interest to those who think that they don't have the space.

 

The first is "Legend of Tinker Hollow", a micro layout in 20" by 62" with a continuous loop - made possible with short equipment and built in the free time Covid created.  Done on foam core there is a description of the materials he used.

 

The second layout is a switching layout called "Fond du Lac" on 12" x 72" foam, with the completed layout weighing only 8 lbs making it easy to put into and remove from storage.

 

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Rapido-News-128---Two-new-locos--a-caboose--plus-Comets--SW1200s-and-more-.html?soid=1101318906379&aid=70OTnJXJYWc

The layouts don't mention Scale, but I'm assuming they're HO..?? 9" Radius in HO is, like - "Wow!!" 

 

[mdvle]

21 hours ago, F-UnitMad said:

The layouts don't mention Scale, but I'm assuming they're HO..?? 9" Radius in HO is, like - "Wow!!" 

 

 

I asked Rapido, they are both HO.