2 engines

FYI: by sacrificing the runaround you will need two engines to operate the layout. If you are good with that, go for it.

two former Jarheads

...OOOORAH , Peter.   

You can still add a runaround

You can still add a runaround and on each side of fair avenue with little issue.

Runaround

Excellent suggestion, Rob ! That would be perfect and the operation of the pike will be more enjoyable.

Looks good

I like the plan, but I agree with the others about adding the runaround.  The one thing that jumped out at me about the plan was that the trackage is almost nothing but spurs.  I think a runaround could add value by also serving as a place to tie down off-spot cars for the industries, essentially adding the switching interest of another industry as well.

I'd suggest adding it off of the upper left track, with the right end coming off the team track just to the left of its switch.  Fair Ave. could then be relocated to the right of the 3 story building flat so that cars could be left on the runaround without blocking the street.  You'd only need enough headroom on the left for the locomotive.

I'm assuming the track behind the bakery is your connection to the world, with the session starting by pulling cars from there?

Thanks for the input

Thanks all for the input. I had originally placed a run around track in that location but being such a small layout I was left with about 12 inches of useable tail at the left end. I figure that the layout can be switched in each direction with industries in the "morning" and the team track on the "afternoon run". More than likely each session will focus on switching just one industry at a time, with life's demands and all.

Future expansion is definitely in order for both ends, I think another 5 foot extension on the team track side will allow it to reconnect with main to form a larger run around, and another 7 feet on the bakery side will give a decent enough run for some type of staging/run around.

I would love to hear more input, especially from the shelf switching layout guys, but I welcome everyone's opinion and thank you all in advance!

P.s. Any modelers in Camarillo CA?

Yes, I will go back and

Yes, I will go back and consider the run around. I think something will have to give though to maintain a prototypical look as a 1 or 2 car length run around probably isn't worth installing turnouts IRL. I think either the curve radius will have to tighten or a spur will need to be eliminated, both of which I would prefer not to do.

I've never considered Free-mo because I have no clue what that is! So I will google that up asap.

Another question,I was planning to use N scale cork to recreate the lower, less maintained and more compacted roadbed typical of older branch lines. I was also planning on sanding the cork down fairly well for the spurs. What techniques do others use to recreate the older, less maintained and more compacted roadbed?

Thanks for your time All!!

Neglected track

I like to spike code rail directly to Homasote in some areas, giving the feeling of ties that are completely lost in the mud and/or grass.  Here are a few examples:

This also works for track that's intentionally buried, such as in engine facilities and industrial areas.

Go to your local big box store...

Ask them where they keep their sheet cork.  It comes in rolls.  There is a variety of widths or you can cut it to the width you need.  If you need drainage ditches you can cut those where you want.  This weekend just take a look.  It may or may not be what you need.

Den

Here's another idea from yet one more old Marine

Think about adding a second parallel track to the mainline curving around on the right side.  Add a full length piano hinge to the right end of the layout and bolt to that a "staging section" that swings down toward the floor when not in use.  No buildings, just dirt and grass.  On this create a full length sector plate that would move between the two curved mainline tracks.  And if you're clever, maybe even the spur thru the Orowheat Plant.  This would allow you to run around your train for the push back to that one facing point spur on the far left of the shelf.  Just a thought...........

reunion

Survivaljoe, look what your thread have done, bringing all the old "Devildogs"  together at one place. I am pretty sure that we all appreciate that. Keep up the brainstorming on your layout, that is the right way of planning and getting things in perspective for the best layout that you can have with what you have.

Free-Mo Info

I wish that Posters and Commentators would include links when they make references. It does not take much time and can save a lot of time and frustration. For Free-Mo information checkout the Free-Mo.org site. For some perspective on can be done with Free-Mo modules and what Free-Mo groups are doing I would check out M.C. Fujiwara's work here on the MRH Forum: Blog List and MRH Build a Shoofly Scene Article and Specific Posts: Free-moN: At Home and On The Road, Free-moN Staging Yard – 16"x10', "Shoo-fly" Free-moN Module (2'x6').

Take a look at

Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/user/KU4PC and click on Videos - it may give you a few more ideas

Great to see everyone coming together on this

That track work is Awesome!!

And the videos are amazing, that is exactly the type of look I am going for!

I thank everyone for the suggestions and I have decided that as others pointed out, a run around would enhance  the functionality of the layout. However, the way I will go about adding that is with a design taken from Lance Mindheim's "How to build a switching layout", page 28. It shows a removable curved cassette with a run around track. I think this solution would work best here because:

1. I would be able to get the design that I like and will expand on in the future

2. I can build it without scenery and use a tighter radius curve because it isn't part of the layout

3. I would also get a way to stage trains and turn them for the morning and evening runs

4. I can build in phases to keep costs down in the short term, adding the run around at a later time

Great suggestions all around and thank you for the videos, pictures, and the weblinks.

Also, when I have some time to myself I'll head down to price out the benchwork and cork. I'm looking at using 1x4 and 1x2 for the framing and legs, and plywood for the baseboard.

Very short runarounds

Hi,

In Delta BC, an industrial park named Tilbury island has a run around that is only 3 cars or so ( https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.1437393,-123.0030603,187m/data=!3m1!1e3 ).  You may wish to take a look at that. 

This park is unusual as it is serviced by CN, CP and BNSF, all using the same branch line off the BNSF.  2 larger customers are LeFarge Cement as well as the SeaSpan Ferry Slip which serviced the E&N (on Vancouver Island) as well as others.

Kent

Consider your expansion

If your truly going to expand the layout, I'd consider how this section will work with the expansion...

If you expand on both sides, do you want a run around on this section?

One way to think about the full layout...A small yard servicing industries....Add a small yard (possibly on the 7' extension), then run switch jobs to the industries (current section and 5' extension).  First switch job is for trailing point moves and second switch job is a shove for facing point moves...The yard could be just 3-4 tracks an interchange track an arrive/depature track (runaround) and maybe one other track....All sorting could happen in the yard for each job...

Until the extension, run your layout by using the 0-5-0 to stage switch jobs on the right hand through track...Having to 0-5-0 will become motivation to extend on to the yard area....

I think this youtube modeler is inspirational.  He evolved and crew a plan....slowly adding more...It looks like he has removed his earliest videos, too bad as the history was fun to review:

https://www.youtube.com/user/KU4PC/videos

Anyway, I like what you have...

David Keith

http://www.sn2modeler.com

New Benchwork, Design Change Update!!

Broke ground recently on the Burbank Branch switching layout and I have completed 3 sections of lightwieght benchwork. Each section is 48 inches by 16 inches, using 1x2 pine. The final 2 sections are scheduled for completion, asap!

I've also changed the design and the location where this layout is going and have been able to add 7 feet extra to the overall layout, giving it a completed final size of 7 feet by 13 1/2 feet.

Thanks for looking!

add a run around track even

add a run around track even if it only holds 2 or three cars. There is room for one. It will save on your equipment if you keep your fingers off of it, we have been trying to get, Leroy, one of the guys in our club to do that for years keep his hands off. We no longer use the phrase 050 at the club.... if something is to be picked up we say we are going to Leroy the item.

As to loading photos etc once you click on the reply at the bottom of a post there will be a box for you to type words in. The header at the top of the box will have icons for pictures and for video just run your mouse over them and wait a minute and it will tell you.

Pics are Up

Nothing spectacular yet! The basic frame is up, modular for easy take down and its on legs because I'm renting.

The track plan is close to the original, I just tried to clean it up a bit for a more prototypical look. On the short leg side of the layout ( as seen in the picture) there is a bookshelf that will be relocated. Once that is complete, I will add an extension with the run around track.

As for operations, I envision 30 minute sessions at the crack of dawn before the kids wake, switching 1 or 2 industries or just the car spots on the team track. I'm thinking a westbound run in the "morning" to switch the team track businesses, and an eastbound run at "night" to switch bigger industries. Maybe I'll run different road names to represent leased track rights. 

Thanks for reading and more pics to follow as I slowly progress!

p.s. Thank you Rob in Texas for your help!

Image Upload...

...is in the comment box Top Line, 4th box from left, Ist icon.

Thanks!

The Pics are up! Thank You!

Been working on this, New trackplan and rails!

Been a while since I last updated and much has changed! Meet the new and improved(to me) Burbank Branch!

I basically condensed the industries and served them with the team track and put the bakery on a curve. It combines all the things I wanted, team track for various loads, rails parallel to street, curved grade crossing, tight curve into bakery, long low warehouses, simplicity, etc. I'm very satisfied with this plan and can expand it in the future.

Here is the track plan:

More Pics of the branch!

I used Atlas Flex and #6 switches on the main and 24" radius sectional for the bakery curve. Track is code 83 and I added easements where necessary. The feeders are all soldered and the structure mock-ups are in place. My son, six, and I are really enjoying running trains, and the layout is simple enough that we can make a move or two before he gets bored or I get busy!

Crappy camera phone galore!

Freshly laid track, soldered, wiring, and ready for trains!

Looking down the line, the team track spur and warehouse mock-ups

Non rail-served buildings, a grade crossing, and our temporary control station

Bakery curve grade crossing, team track, warehouses

Bakery complex mock-ups, fencing, and storage bins

I think we're missing a bit...

Looks like your plan got cut off at 7'. I think it is longer than that. Try resizing your photo. 

Randy