New layout design

[ThomasLloydGuy]

I am thinking about upgrading my 4x8 layout to something like this:
Any suggestons?

[Cody J]

That looks pretty sweet!!!

[ThomasLloydGuy]

thanks, also thinking of investing in a dcc system instead of dual cab wiring

[Daylight4449]

I am doing that now after 6 years of dc railroading

[Joe Satnik]

Dear TLG,

Nice looking drawing. 

Sure beats my pencil scratching on the back of an old envelope.

A few things, though: 

There is not enough room between the 18" and 22" radius for another track, as you will get overhang crashes.

NMRA recommends 2-3/16" between track centers beginning at 18"R.

http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/s-8.html

With a 96" width, you will need a duck-under and a pop-up hatch to access tracks in the middle.

(John Armstrong recommends 30" max reach in his book "Track Planning for realistic operation, 3rd edition".)

That works out to a 60" width with a solid sheet (no pop-ups.)

You've got room for much longer radius curves with 96" board width.  Why 22"R max?

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik





 

[ThomasLloydGuy]

joe your comment is very helpfull, the reasoni though id use small radius' is so i could have more straight track, but ill mess around with a few ideas using bigger radius', thanks

[ThomasLloydGuy]

so do you think i should increase the track centers from 2" to 2.25"?

[ThomasLloydGuy]

so after a bit of though would it be good to redisign this with 2 1/4 between tracks and curves starting at 22" instead of 18". think this would work well?

[NelsOn-30]

Some observations;

Reconfiguring the turnout at 8 across & 3+4 down would provide a double main line around the outside loop.

I couldn't find a reverse loop but be aware that the 2 TT lead tracks are of oposite polarity.

My other observations have been covered.

Keep us posted.

[ThomasLloydGuy]

which turnout do you mean when you say "8 across & 3+4 down"? I know there is a different polarity for 1 of the lines going into the turn table but i though i might control the turn table with 1 of my old dc controllers if its possible.
Also with the concern about me using a 18" radius, i am only running small 4 axle engines, no steam engines, would 18" radius still look good or should i try to upgrade to 22"

[NelsOn-30]

Left hand side, 3 &4ft from top.

If this turnout came from the "inside" loop you would end up with a double track "oval" around the perimiter.

This would enable the unattended running of 2 trains, if desired, while operating within the engine terminal.

[ThomasLloydGuy]

i dont know how well you can see the picture but there is a double track around the perimeter, just the inside track turn into the center but it still makes a double oval

[ThomasLloydGuy]

but i do see on the right hand side about 3 feet down i could add turnouts and then there is a double oval and the bit in the center

*sorry about all the double posting*

[NelsOn-30]

Thomas

Sorry, my dyslexia is showing, it is on the other left (right) side.

[Joe Satnik]

Nelson,

Good catch on the polarity. 

TLG,

The Atlas turntable has "A" polarity and "B" (opposite) polarity stall or lead-in tracks. 

One of your lead-in tracks has to be an "A", the other a "B".

The "compass" or "clock face" or "rotation" position of the motor-gear house determines which polarity your lead-in or stall will be. 

The house takes up 45 degrees (3 stalls worth) of space.  Since your lead-in tracks are 45 degrees apart, the house will not fit between them.  (Opposite polarities on either side of the house.)

You will have to move the stall track at 2:30 o'clock to 12:30 and put the house between 2 and 4.  This should put an "A" polarity at 8:45 and a "B" polarity at 7:15.

The gear house would then be close to your roundhouse (if you plan to have one).  You could move another stall track counter-clockwise to make more room between them.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik