More specs required

Dear Drew,

Some questions:

- I take it the dimensions are 8 foot (76") x 21"?

- Is there any length available to the left for a cassette or similar "track on plank" extension to the "drill (lead)" track?

- Is the 18" radii curve and "S bend" entrance at bottom right fixed, or can it be adjusted?

- What is the proposed motive power for the train serving this area?

- What is the proposed duty of the short "spur" at bottom right?

- Do you have a preferred range of track/turnouts, or some turnouts-in-hand you wish to use?
(I tend to check designs using PECO Code 83 turnouts, given no other guidance).

A quick spin in XTrkCAD suggests things could get very tight if not designed appropriately...

EDIT: The top right industry "switchback" spur needs at least 

2x 40' flats + 2x 50' boxcars + 1x loco + "some fudge factor"
(this would allow you to switch 2x 50' cars into the top LH industry
while not disturbing the 2x 40' flats spotted at the top RH industry, should they be present)

The "drill (lead)" track needs to be a minimum of 

1x loco + 2x 50' boxcars.

You _could_ get away with shortening it
_IF_ you accept that all switching to/from the industry switchback has to be performed from the upper-track of the passing-siding, _and_ thus the LH end passing siding turnout can be permissibly fouled when pull/shoving into the switchback.

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

mock it up...

If you have the table already, I consider taking some masking tape and marking out the trackplan on the table with it. Then take some rolling stock and lay it out and "run" it a bit, to see how it fits.

If you don't have the rolling stock yet, make some "stand ins" out of cardboard. don't forget the locomotive!
If you don't have the table yet, make a table mockup out of cardboard too.

After you've tinkered with it in full size for a bit, you can adjust the "tape" track as needed until you're happy with the lengths.

Finally, get out the measuring tape and you'll know exactly what you need. Leave the tape on the table or use it to mark the track positions until you are ready to install the track.

Track lengths

 Bill's suggestion is one I use, I photocopy switches, cut out the templates and then position them on the benchwork.

For just doodling I figure a switch is about a foot long in HO.   I find the longest path through the design, hitting the most switches.

If the total space is 9 ft long, then you have to fit the rest of the tracks around that.  For example if the curve at the right is 18", then that will take at least a foot and a half from the right.  You have now consumed 5.5 ft of your space.  The long track labeled spur will be a minimum of 2.5 feet from the right (1.5 ft curve + 1 switch).  It can be at least 25-28" long ( a tad over four 40' car lengths).  If you curve it you can get one more.

Right now the siding is about 2 ft long and the left switch is about 2.5 ft from the left end.  That gives you about 2.5 ft to play with.  You can slide the left siding switch to the left a foot, giving a foot to the siding and shortening the drill by a foot.  That will give you 5 cars comfortably on the siding (6 if you crowd the clearance points).  the drill will be about an engine and 2 cars long.

If you slide the long spur switch to the left on the siding you can extend it as much as you want up to about 4.5-5 ft long.

Thanks guys!

Real good info there! I'll reply to some of the questions.

Actual dimensions are 9ft x 21"

The left side of the plan is actually curved fascia, and the entrance to train room. All ready have one "bridge" across doorway!

I only posted an 18" r coming onto it, as that is the smallest I wanted. Also, with two large industries on the right, not much room left over. The S curve is just a result of my lack of good penmanship!!

My plan was to use a little Plymouth, and a Track mobile, to shuffle all the cars around. and set them out at the far left side for pick up.  But the power on the inbound from the "other town" could in fact be SD38's!

The short spur on the bottom right, was just extra room for switching, if required. Might set up another customer if it works out. The plan is that the customers own there own switchers. So one would be left at Industry A, and one would be left at industry B.

All the turnouts I'm using are/will be Fast tracks HO #4. And the flex is Micro Engineering code 70.

Yes Bill, I think your idea sounds real good, bending the ME flex is not fun until the final fit.

Thanks Prof and Dave! That info will get me in the ball park for sure.

And just so you all know, the rest of the space on the plan, is Full of structures! I completed an HO Mel's Drive In, complete with new interior furnishings and lots of lights, it is parked beside a small (square foot) hobby farm. Also, the Walthers YMCA building is now an Accountant Office, with a completely detailed interior.Both industries on the right have full exterior cranes. One will be a, used Military Truck , reseller complete with about ten old trucks and parts. The other building on right will sell remanufactured EMD DD engines! Lots of real estate required for those two businesses!

Thanks again every one,

Drew

Examples, and specs...

Dear Drew,

A couple of tech specs and notes.

- While most HO equipment may be capable of navigating an 18" curve, a wider radii curve would be beneficial, esp for 6-axle diesels (SD35/SD38/SD40-2) and situations where coupling-on-the-curve is likely or expected.

- #4 turnouts are awful tight, esp for 3-axle trucked locos (SD series) or the 3-axle Plymouth. I would advocate for at least #5s, if not larger to again leave the SD-locos some elbow room, and ease "coupling-on-the-curve" conditions

Some quick examples from XTrkCAD, using PECO Code 83 #5 turnouts and a #4 wye.
(a Wye of given angle is the equivalent of a turnour of 2x that angle.
EG a #4 Wye is the same as a #8 turnout)

All examples use a SD40-2, which should give a linear length condition of the spurs and drill (lead) track and permit operation by any (shorter) motive power...

If you have a copy of XTrkCAD and would like the XTrkCAD files to play with, let me know...

Example #1
(Grey/Blue area is "aisle", not benchwork)

Example #2
(Grey/Blue area is "aisle", not benchwork)

Example #3
(Grey/Blue area is "aisle", not benchwork)

I would also note that if at all possible, rotating the track array counter-clockwise even a few degrees would significantly improve the "visual interest" of the switching area...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Mocked this up tonight!

I used the Fast Track templates, and painters tape to come up with this,

overall shot,

left side,

Right side,

I think it works good! A little more room than I figured. Now to mock up the main track entering on the right!