As I mutterd in my April 18th update the original plan stumbled on to real world height problems that put stations too close to the ground, and the levels too close. Well it's a learning experiance !
As I said in the update why redraw a whole new plan when I can take the exisitng plan and modify it in bits.
This plan still has the three levels, and now it may get more stations. The branch has become a "sub division" of it's own. But being a low level, and it will be a LOW level - it will not be favored by normal walking operators. But it is my railway and it will be used !
The other main chamge is the origina loop and lower helix have either gone or chamged places. The original passing loop bewteen the old "E" and "F" is no more. And the lower helix goes down to the lower staging yards, after leaving the main station, now "E". The spiral is clockwise, sprialling down - being the opposite of the original spirals.
Station "G" (was station "F") is now very different. The branch to the garage now passes along the mainline, while the diversion via the triangle now heads up the spiral to station "K" ( was "i"). It should be noted the spiral now goes in the opposite direction, that is anticlockwise climbing.
This plan is simpler in terms of trackwork when compared to some of my initial plans. But I still get more then just one route on the layout, and allow for expansion to the garage. There are still two main levels, a helix, a branch, and about 8 stations. The layout in the rear room will actually be 5 levels ( bottom staging yards, lower level, mid level, high level, upper staging) - I am using it's height to my advantage.
I am also planning it to be built in stages. From the lowest to hightest level the railway will gradually grow. Passing loops will form the basis for the stations. Tempory reverse loops will mark the railhead.
Now to some detail on the plan.
- A - small siding, continues into stub ended stasging under "F".
- B - small branch station.
- C - passing loop and mine sidings
- D - small silo loop on the branch
- E - Main station , this is the biggest station on the layout.
- F - Minor station- small 3 track station. Or it may just be a pssing loop !
- G - Junction station on the middle level. two lines go into the upper spiral. The branch heads to the garage.
- H - 5 track Station
- I - This is the second biggest station on the layout.
- J - A small station on a S curve.
- K - Passing loop
- L - Passing loop
- M - Upper Staging entrance.
Contruction:
- It will start with the lower staging as far as "E".
- The branch to "A" would be built.
- The track to "G" - a tempory reverse loop would be built here
- The spiral would be started up to "H" & "J"
- The line from "H" to "i" built.
- The line from the upper spiral to "J" built
- The branch to the garage near "J" added
- The line from "J" to "I" built
- The line from "i" to "L" built. This is the final sceniced section.
- From "L" to the upper staging will be built
| These plans are "artist's impressions" of the actual plan. They are not scale. I still use paper, pen and a weird colour legend for my plans, so these plans were shot with a digital camera, ported into Paint Shop Pro 3 & 5 and drawn on etc. So they are not scale ! |
Plan description.
The layout starts in the sunroom (left hand room on plan). The lower staging yards are a reverse loop with two single sidings - one for a railmotor, the other for the XPT. There are 5 tracks on the reverse loop. This section is built at the lowest point on the railway. It has to pass through a hole in the brick wall to the main room. here it goes into a two turn helix to raise the line from under Station "C"
The layout really starts in the stub ended staging yards that are under the stairs. They would be a 4 track staging yard cabable of holding a 6ft train. this comes into the scenic area at "A" ,being a plain passing loop and sidings. In my senario - these yards are filled with preservation stock. the line climbs up along the sun room.
Station "B" was the original "A" - but now a through station. It still has the turntable as it will be a primary destination. the line stil climbs here
Station "C" is new, being an interchange for the mining sidings. opportuinity here for private locos etc. the line climbs again into the main room.
There is a grain loop "D" here, the silo built to hide the concrete stump.At this point the track is 2 loco heights and easily crosses the lower staging yards below as it enters the sunroom.
The neck of the reverse loop then passes under the helix and enters the scenic lower
deck via a tunnel. The track gradually rises 1 train height
before entering the main station "E".This main staion is level throughout.
We then round the room and slowly rise upto station "F". This would be a rises from station "E". This station has been cut into the wall (to gain space) - and is level. I have not decided if this will be a fill staionm, or apssing lop and a grain loop.
The mainline again nows rises rapidly, and passes behind the stairs, through a hole in the brick wall and pass besides the sliding door. This section is removeable. And being plain scenery with no points it will be easy enough to put in and remove. The track enters a long bridge that will be real metal. This is because being at a choke point the train may be rubbed off as people move pass that point !.
The two routes come together and start their trip up up the upper helix.
Again the station is level and then rounds the main peninuslar with simple plain track above the main staion on the lower level. The track gain only a little height, up to 2 train heights as it enteres the other main station "i".
Station "i" has another triangle on the other end. On leg heads in the scenic side over the Station "F" below. The other leg heads into the backscene in a closed trough under the house, emerging on the rear wall, still over station "F".
Let's go back to the upper helix entrance and follow our other route. It crosses under the other mainline and heads through the door, and station "J". Station "J" is small and continues into the sunroom.
Fans of Narrow gauge note how I have not included the NG into this plan. This was done to ensure I do not get the bug badly. But it is fair to mention station "J" may be a narrow gauge interchange well into the future. No idea as to it's form but it may leave "i"and circle back and over "J" - across the aisle via a duckunder and into staging in the closet.
The mainline starts to climb through passing loop "K" and once again along the narrow shelf along the sunroom wall, past the sliding door. Here we see the upper track heading up to the upper staging, more later. the line then heads through a hole in the wall into the main room and rises up to the junction station "i".
With the line leaving "i" and passing though the underneath of the house it rises with the final passing loop "L". then the mainline heads into a hole. This passing loop and the hole signify the end of te modelled area. On the other side the line rises and heads above the other line over the sliding door.
The upper staging is above the passing loop "K" and again consists of the reverse
loops and two sidings. This level, being the highest may be suspended off the ceiling,
off the top of the false wall I will be putting in there. Another alternitive may be to
place this stagin in the garage. This does require spanning
between buildings in a secure manner even though in that corner where
I have shown track going into the garge - the distance is only 3 feet.
Spome readers may think the garage expansion is unneccesary - I agree it is now, but I may want to build again in 20 years..... And should I consider a quick lap around the garden as well ?.
Heights are still to be looked at. Height is CRITICAL. Well I have investigated it and will be doing yet another height check. Note how passing loop levels "E" and "J" are not really big. As they are just 'scenery' areas with a passing loop, height was not so important as it is for "F" - the main operating level in this room. Branch "A" to "D" is little used.
You will also notice how, in this room there are both staging for each end, and on the same side. Not that I'd do it during an operating session, but I will be able to "fiddle" some locos and trains easily if needed ( A railmotor would be easily moved from one staging yard to the next.