Here's my forth full plan to share with you.
This plan is simpler than the last two, but still the double decker with reverse loop staging loop at each end.
I have tried different ideas, but they didn't work. Having a length of train (10ft) and the minimum radius of 30 inches (36 preferablly) mean you can only do so much.
This plan has 6 stations. two branchs, and no helix. This is because the track between levels is on a visible rise, only dissapearing into "the clouds" as it transitions between levels, through the benchwork.
- A - Lower Staging entrance.
- B - Passing loop.
- C - Main station.
- D - Industrial sidings.
- E - Branch terminus.
- F - Grain loop.
- G - Country 3 track station.
- H - Passing loop.
- I - Passing loop with refuge.
- J - Passing loop.
- K - Junction station. It is a junction with a triangle on the "up side". One leg heads out to "M" on the branch, the other up to "P"
- L - Country 4 track station.
- M - Branch terminus with seperate mining sidings ( coal, ore etc ) may extend to garage....
- N - Passing loop.
- O - Siding.
- P - Upper Staging entrance.
NOTE to people who have seen this plan before : I have decided I prefer that altered version of this plan, so the original has headed to the recycle bin.....
This is the first real plan deviation that I have been happy with. No helix, and a simple mainline with two branchs summerises the plan. That main station "C" is biggest station I have had - rememeber the plans shows the railway's final form.
In order to change things I have deliberatly tried to waste the space where the toilet is - in order to provide the station size. So rather than wasting the space I put in a industrial scene on a what is effectively a single turn helix on the branch. I do not expect this station to be used alot - thus sparing the operator a crawl into the operating space.
It has far wider aisles than before - there are still choke points, I admit. And I still can keep my access to the stairs and the sliding door easily free, the layout will have removeable/ folding sections across the sliding door. As mentioned before only one crawl under - which I am determined would be fully carpeted on the floor and on the underside to allow head friendly bumps ! By looking at the upper plan you will notice that I show the silouette of the lower level. You should notice how little the upper follows the lower in certain areas.
Those two branchlines take up a lot of space, and play a bigger role. The lower branch is your quaint branch probally hosting a preservation society ! Meanwhile the upper branch is all business with it's mine generating alot of traffic.
Again extension to the garage is possible. The lower level would branch from "C" just after passing over the bridge after passing the turntable. On the upper level, one leg of the triangle at "M" would continue into the garage. As I have said they may never be built, but it is possible to do !!!
Another downfall is the amount of track tranversing one scene. It is probally more than I would like, but allows far more to be included. This mainly applies to the lower deck.
| 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 lower staging is now located in the main room, under Station "G". It comes out of a tunnel portal into the sun room and comms into passing loop "B". The line then climbs up to station "C".
Station "C" is the biggest station on the railways and represents a major stopover plus a junction. There is alot to keep one busy, with the loco depot at one end and a industrial complx at the other end, along with a decent grain silo. I have tried to hide the concrete piller with an industry, as well as the line going through the doorway.
The branch passes the loco depot and We find a Wye. Then the branch winds down , through the wall and into the "waste" space which may have industrial sidings. The line then continues it's spiral down as it basically goes under the mainline, then out into the sun room. Here we have the branch to the Garage divert off. The branch then passes though the grain loop at "F", then around the room into the small branch terminus of "E".
Back to the mainline, The line then climbs up to station "G" it then round the peninsular through what I call the "Cat Mountain" bridge - a scene from Cat Mountain that I have always liked. The line then enters a passing loop "H" - which passes through the backscene (really the framework holding the upper level up). the line climbs here all up, through another passing loop "i" and up into the lower parts of the upper level.
The line emerges into the sunroom through a hole in the wall and into another passing loop "J" before heading over "C" below - and into station "K". I could alter this if I like and have no "J" passing loop with the line from the lower level emerge around the wall, saving another hole in that wall. It will be a construction alteration I think.
"K" is the second biggest station on the layout. it is the Junction station as well. There is no turntable, as the Wye is used for that purpose. The branch climbs away and around the peninsular into station "L", a relatively small station that can see alot of shunting as it is not on the mainline. The branch then heads into the sunroom through a hole and goes into station "M"
Station "M" is really two stations in one. Is has the mining sidings, and the normal use sidings. Depending on era etc. - the mining siding may be operated by the mining company itself allowing more variation. There is a major operational headach many may point out - access to this station, Either it will be little used, or I may bring it forward a little to the aisle but supported from above rather than below. Or I may rationalise the lower scene into just "E", removing "F" altogether.
Back to "K" and onto the mainline that once again heads for the hills. Via another hole in the wall it also enters the sunroom and passes through passing loop "N" , around the sun room and through the last hole in the wall back into the main room to do a final spiral with a siding "O" before heading up to the non-sceniced upper staging yards at "P".
Why do I like this plan ?
- No helix - and minimal hidden trackage.
- Many passing loops - a feature all the other plans wouldn't et me do.
- Simpler construction
- The low height areas minimised - this is great as where there ceiling is the lowest, there are no main aisles, particularly the area next to the stairs.
- Ability to change areas of concern. I can alter "E" and remove "F" if needed. I can remove "J" saving another hole in the wall.
- I get my branch, and I get my mining sidings back.
- I still have a triangle as a junction.
- I still can expand to the garden or garage
- I have more industrial trachage, one station "D" that is not required to be manned (if no one wants to crawl under).
- The plan is quite different form the first three for all main baseboard shapes
- The train still remain long - well in the 10ft min. on the wishlist.
What could be a problem ?
- The sceniced spiral through "D" may be an issue. It has meant a crawl under.
- The placement of three passing loops on the rise up between levels may operationally be interesting to see where train meet. I may have to lpan the benchwork to support double track in that part. We shall see
- Station "M" is above "F" making it hard to operate "M". I have not decided on this problem yet. The old question of what works for one operator may not work for many operators.
- Passing Loop "H" starts in one scene and end in another out of sight. This may be a problem depending on how the loop is controlled.
- Passing loop "J" requires another hole in the wall.
- Aisle space at the end of station "C" where the industrial sidings are - these sidings may have to go or be shortened to give more space.
