Yard Design

[Cody J]

Oh. Thanks. My layout will be simple though. It will be DC and there won't be any lights or accessories like that.

thanks though
cody

[jward]

i notice you are using the 18" radius switches. i think you'll regret that in the long run, especially if you trin to do alot of switching. using numbered switches such as #4 or #5 will greatly improve your layout. also, try to avoid the s curves like you have on the lower right side where you have a right hand switch coming out of a left hand curve. that is just asking for trouble.

try not using the true track library in the atlas software, the code 100 or code 83 libraries will offer you alot better selection of track pieces to work with.

[Cody J]

Okay thanks Jward. I just finished the yard plan, now all i have to do is put it with the other plan and it will be finished.

http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk49/trainsrock96/?action=view&current=NEWTrackPlansYard1.jpg

cody

[pdlethbridge]

You should make the 2 middle yards as long 3 track yards. This will give you more storage space and use 2 less switches.

[jward]

this latest plan is even worse on the s curves. your whole middle yard is one continuous s curve. that configuration may work for toy trains, but not in HO. eliminate the s curves, you'll regret the current design.....

[Cody J]

Thanks PD and Jward. I looked at the plan a little while ago and noticed that.

I'm working on a new plan now.

cody

[Cody J]

Is Bachmann EX Track code 83 or 100?

[simkon]

Code 100

[Cody J]

Thanks Simkon

[Cody J]

I just finished the track plan for the entire layout.

http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk49/trainsrock96/?action=view&current=NEWTrackPlansFullLayout1.jpg

Thank you in advance for any constructive criticism.

thanks
cody

[jward]

stay away from those train set switches. they eat up all your space.

i have drawn examples of a 5 track yard using tru track switches, versus atlas #4s. the difference will amaze you and is a perfect example of what i am talking about. can't figure out how to get them to post here. if you'd like to see them, email me at wardjeffe at gmail.

[pdlethbridge]

A 6 track yard takes only a foot of width with the track at 2" center to center like this

This is with Atlas #4's and 9" straights and a little flex track at the beginning.
The lines are a foot apart and a foot high

[renniks]

Since Cody is using EZ track it is pointless to give "improvements" using anything else.

Eric UK

[jward]

eric,
i think you are missing the point.
ez track has switches other than the 18" radius train set ones in the plan.
the atlas track planning software is freeware and a good track planning tool whether you use atlas track or not. it gives an idea how much of what you envision is actually possible. the atlas #4 switches are actually #4 1/2, and should be reasonably close in geometry to an ez track #5. therefore if a plan drawn using atlas 4s  is feasable, then with a little tweaking, it should work with ez track 5s as well.

in a perfect world, there would be a freeware track planning program for ez track, then we could draw actual ez track plans and toss around various ideas. there isn't, so we use the best available for the price.....

[renniks]

The Anyrail software has an EZ track library (plus virtually every other make) but the free version is limited to 50 pieces. However you can design various parts of a layout on a grid to a common scale ,print them out and put them together as a whole.

Eric UK