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Entry 12Ward City Mead & EckleyUpper Level 
Lower Level 
Scenery Plan 
It is based on the same concept as my 1979 N-scale layout, although scaled down quite a bit. This actually seems to be a common theme and concept for small layouts as I have found other examples in the literature. It is commonly called a "continous run with branch" design. The main layout represents a shortline interchanging with a class one. There are two small towns represented. The continuous run loop represents the class one with which the shortline interchanges. It has hidden storage for trains to be staged, including one stub ended. The mainline class 1 train drops off cars for the short line. The track going straight back from the main turnout is meant to be the interchange track however it will only hold a few cars. The actual branch could be used for an interchange; however, the grade might make it difficult to spot things there. The short line daily takes the cars and spots them at the appropriate industries. Industries have single serving tracks that will require internal moves. The industries will require a variety of freight car types to make the roster interesting. There is no turn at the end of the line so if steam power is selected it will have to run the train backwards one way or the other. The two towns can be separated by just scenic elements or with a backdrop as indicated by the line. The backdrop and the tracks are slightly off kilter from being exactly parallel with the edges of the board. This hopefully helps distract the eye from the rectangular edges of the 4x8. Mainline has outside minimum radius of 22". Shortline minimum radius is 18". I've used 22" easements were possible. One will imediately notice some of the very short (one car) industrial sidings. They could be extended and/or curved for greater capacity at the expense of looks and making the railroad's civi engineer look like a drunk b#$T(#@. I prefered having more industries variety of rolling stock over quantity. If I were to extend one track it would be the quarry. Here a vertical "wall" of rock behind the track would make most sense. Finally if one didn't mind a steep grade the stub end staging track could be extended on around the corner and down along the entire length of the layout. Two trains could be stacked linearly on that track. |
