Base
This is the base work plan for my layout. I have been blessed by the CEO to occupy a spot 24 feet wide and 16 feet deep for this project with a small 8' X 10' work area outside of the layout propper. The modules are in 2' X 8' sections being 5 inches thick with the yard module a bit larger with ilses being 4 feet wide everywhere. Module construction will be of 3/4" plywood sides and 1/2" top covered by 1" blue construction foam. The modules will be fixed to the walls at approximately 50" from the floor. Entry to the room will be by a 36" wide doorway.
This layout is planned over the Texas Mexican Railways from about 1980 to the year 2000, and yes I still plan to use a caboose..lol. This will be representing about 60 miles of combined trackage mostly single main track in real life. The TM hasn't used any 6 axle power that I know of but I still want to plan for 22" minimum radius turns. It will have approximnately 105 feet of main track run in HO scale using code 83 rail for the mains and code 70 for any sidings. The layout is planned in 8' modules in the TOMA mindset EXCEPT the yard ( Module 1 ) which will be a bit longer.
Modules 9 and 10 will be built on a box platform with drawers for road stock/power storage and the area under modules 3 and 4 will be basically an electrical cabinet with a fan for ventilation along with a small computer ( laptop ) for JRMI and program track use.
I will be using a Digikeijs DR5000 system with wireless throttles. Modules 1,2,7, and 8 will make up Zone A with the main booster and two signal/occupancy detectors. Modules 3,4,5,and 6 will make up Zone B with a seperate 5A booster and signal occupancy detector. Modules 9,10,11,and 12 will duplicate Zone B forming Zone C. All connections will be modular for power and signal/occupnacy.
The layout is hopefully being planned for operations having SIX jobs during any session using ABS and TWC.
Job #1 will be the yard propper Module 1.
Job #2 will be East Short Local working Modules 1,2, and 3 for the gravel pit, Sear and frozen food warehouses.
Job #3 will be the West Short Local working Modules 7,8,and 9 for the NAS siding, CC Grain and Voilet Elevator
Job #4 will be the East Far Local working the sulphur, frac sand and POL areas on Modules 4,5,and 6
Job #5 will be the West Far Local working the Auga Dulce and Alice spots on Modules 10,11,and 12
Job #6 will be a dual road job working a west bound and return freight for the TM using Module 11 and a return to the main area with a SP manefest train simulating North/South traffic using module 5 to return to main.
I do not have a definitve track plan at this time as I am trying to plan for any and all things I want/need. I have all of the materials on hand to build the modules and most of the wiring I know I need but money has been allocated for additional purchases. I have most of the power units needed and a few extra ( who doesn't?
) and working on expanding the car collection. The seperate work area is being made available so as not to dirty up the layout room propper and allow the modules to be placed on a rotating engine stand I have for ease of work.
I hope this gives a bit of perspective on my planning at this time. Thank you again for any and all help.
