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SWITCHING YARD WITHOUT A TURNTABLE? Dream and design
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Active Member 57 posts n scale boiler Active Member 57 posts
n scale boiler

Given space considerations on the n-scale layout I am planning, I am finding that not having a turntable would save space.  However, I am not sure about operational considerations for my freight/ switching yard as a result.

What has been the experience regarding design and operation of switching yards without a turntable?  by the way, I do not have the room for a "Y".  What are the pros and cons?  Is there a better or best way to design a switching yard without a turntable?

My 10ft X 10ft layout will be a "walk-in" with a mining operation to the left and the switching yard on the right and a logging operation straight ahead, as you walk through the access.

Thanks for your help.
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AzBaja Prolific poster 2,049 posts
AzBaja

If your running something

If you are running something other than steam.  You have no need of a turntable.  Run two units back to back.  

The HO layouts that I operate on only turn the big steamers.  All the GPs are not turned.  Can be long or short end forward.  It would be nice if they double head the GPs but the price for sound units is rather high so each train gets 1 unit and not 2.

When operating you never notice what direction the GPs are facing other than the return trip,  

AzBaja
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I enjoy the smell of melting plastic in the morning.  The Fake Model Railroader, subpar at best.
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David Husman dave1905 MRH Author 9,849 posts
David Husman dave1905

Or don't turn them

You can also run Geeps backwards, especially single unit switchers and locals.  Steam and F units can run backwards too , but at a speed restriction. 

Dave Husman

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Nick Santo amsnick MRH Advertiser and MRH Author 2,814 posts
Nick Santo amsnick

Wye do you ask?

Well wye not?

Nick

Nick

https://nixtrainz.com/ Home of the Decoder Buddy

Full disclosure: I am the inventor of the Decoder Buddy and I sell it via the link above.
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RangerRyan Active Member 66 posts
RangerRyan

No need to turn steam

There was a copper hauling line near Salt Lake that did not have turning facilities. They even ran some rather large articulated locos.  With regards to the switching questions, consider having most turnout/switch points the same direction to make the most of stub ended sidings and limited run around space.  Hope this helps.

RR
R-R

Modeling western desert railroads in HO-scale (Std, HOn3, HOn30, Hon2), in residency at Beatty, NV Museum & Historical Society.
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n scale boiler Active Member 57 posts
n scale boiler

Thanks for your help...I

Thanks for your help...I welcome anyone else's comments or suggestions as well.

GW
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Chris Palermo patentwriter Frequent poster 980 posts
Chris Palermo patentwriter

Vasona Branch

I echo the comment that it's fine for steam locomotives to run in reverse, and not just for switching. The Southern Pacific commonly ran engines in reverse on the miles-long Vasona Branch from Mayfield to Los Gatos in northern California because there were no turning facilities on the line.

One possibility you could consider, to avoid having to handle locomotives when the inevitable desire to reorient them arises, is to build a turntable on a small square of benchwork that projects into an aisle, but "plugs" in and is removable using locating dowels, steel pins or latches. You can run a curved spur toward the aisle to reach the turntable, and mount the turntable section only when you want to use it.
At Large North America Director, 2024-2027 - National Model Railroad Association, Inc.
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BOK Prolific poster 1,121 posts
BOK

If you are modeling in N

If you are modeling in N scale and in a 10'X10' around the walls space, you should have plenty of room to put a dedicated wye (12-15" radius curves) in a corner.

Barry
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n scale boiler Active Member 57 posts
n scale boiler

Barry, Thanks for the

Barry,

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try.   By the way, the layout will be free standing with 3-4' walkway around the perimeter (it's going in my garage).  The access is about 40" between two arms that are 40" wide at the ends.  The access opens up to approx 55" (somewhat triangular shape).

GW
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