Scale

People are generally going to ask what scale, then figure HO from the plans, but it's a thing I'm trying to remember in my posts.

Either

Either would be good.  #2 has a bit more versatility.

Don't know how useful an interchange will be since could only bring a couple cars on and cars that don't go to an industry just come on and then shove right back off.  Other than just being able to show up, not that much advantage.

Other than that either looks fine as a small switching layout.  

My suggestion is don't glue the industries down.  Make it so you can swap out industries and thus change the car mix.

I like it. It's a lot better

I like it.

It's a lot better than a bunch of spurs in one direction and the runaround track allows you to service both spurs. Plus it gives you the ability to come from staging with engine leading (caboose on rear if desired) switch the various industries, run around your train and depart with engine leading back/caboose on the rear. A very typical out and back operation for any any era/size road.

I've worked many of these situations as a railroader and the run around makes all the difference in getting a job done right.

Nice plan for either choice.

Barry

I like the second version

 the double track running under the bridge would look cool and the longer spur would be handy for operations...DaveB

Version 2

I like the second version, the second track out of staging could be used as an interchange track or an off spot track during operations. I like the run-a-round to handle the facing and trailing spurs. And as stated, the locomotive can lead in each direction, as opposed to just shoving and pulling.

James Barnes, Jr.

Taylor, Michigan

Thanks everyone

Thanks everyone,  I do find the 2nd one a little more interesting yes.

A couple things i have been thinking about though.  I wouldn't mind finding a better industry for on the right that would have different cars then box cars.  Would bring more variety.   

It also would be interesting to have a team track but i dont really want to add more track.  I had thought the siding could double as that, but its likely to tight with the road.   Or another idea is the lead on the right could also be a team track?  originally i had though the layout would represent the middle of a spur, so the right side track would cont. off layout..  but that could be a spur instead and the layout represents the end of a spur with a team track at the end?  If there is a car spotted their it would need to be pulled to switch the food processor.  Hope that all makes sense.

Thoughts?

I've seen this track plan

I've seen this track plan before. Did you get inspiration from it?

Phil

Yes Phil, it was partially

Yes Phil, it was partially inspired by that one.  But I deleted the 2nd main and the switch back that’s needed to switch  the industry

I like #2 also

Be sure and spread the two turnouts apart a little more so the street crossing can go between them.  You do not want any of the turnout in the street if you can help it, especially the points.

Another industry

I’m not sure what era you like but a feed and fertilizer distributor would let you add covered hoppers and possible tank cars. Just a thought. I like the first plan for the staging of different trains but would consider making the whole thing rotate like a sector plate and lose the switch. 

...or...

...Or, a simple 1<> 2 traverser, all the staging capacity (2× full-length tracks),

none of the turnout clearance-point linear distance wasted,

Simpler to build/operate than a full-rotation "Train turntable"
(esp if the "shelf" is up against a wall, hence no "rotation space" available to the rear of the section),

could even shave the "onstage" scene length by a foot, making it a "fits a standard lumber sheet dimension" 8' long... (IE easier to build, less material wastage)

Good thought-provoker, thanks for posting!

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Car Lengths

Thanks again everyone for the comments.

I'm hoping someone can help me with a few dimensions.  I dont have any car's to check there lengths for the spurs and wondering if anyone can tell me what the lengths would be, from coupler to coupler.

50ft box car.  I know the prototype is 58ft coupler to coupler, which is 8" to scale.  But can anyone confirm what the model length is?

Atlas 25,500 Trinity Tank car.  Having trouble finding prototype measurements.  Can anyone help with its length?

thanks

50' box, 7 1/2"; tank, 8";

50' box, 7 1/2"; tank, 8"; and a mech. reefer is 8 1/2".

Barry

I saw a layout article as a kid where the industries rotated ...

I saw a layout article as a kid where the industries rotated in place.  The subbase had a hole drilled through the middle and a steel rod inserted and the industries could be randomly rotated in place with a different one on each side of the base. 

The critical dimension is the height of the structure needs to be less than the width of the base (or have removable stacks, etc.) to permit free rotation.  

Some kind of slide switch was used to secure the base in between rotations. One could probably automate the whole rotation with a small motor with limit switches.  The switching lead can either be on the rotating base, or right beside it, keeping cars safe when the rotation happens.

On a small switching pike, this could add considerable operating potential and one could load your removable car cassette with appropriate cars.

You might want to consider simulating a small car barge with your removable cassette. 

Glover Road

This design looks like Glover Road to me.  Was that the inspiration?

Yes

Yes, as mentioned on the first page it was. But it has been altered to try and fix the problems it has.

It has been a work in progress and more has changed.  I’m thinking I will change the road in front to a gravel lot/yard that would function as a transload/team spot.  But the track plan is a good simple plan, just a siding and 2 Spurs.

Team Track

I like the concept. Simple, which is protypical. I like the forst version as it feels like a single industrial lead that has a passing siding and a few places to spot cars; the second version just starts to feel a bit too full of track to me.

As for your team track, I think your idea to move the road back a bit and use the runaround as a team track is the way to go. There's a great version of this in Southern California, Live Oak Ave. in Fontana. Former SP now UP.  Single lead from the main splits into a combined runaround/team track, with a few switches pointing both directions to service industries. The team track mostly serviced industries across the street whom unload wood from centerbeams and rebar from gons.

MOW

For me on a small layout,

Less track,  less  to clean!

More time to spend on other projects.

Boudreaux,  B.C.E.  R.R.

"KISS"  has worked for me many times

Good luck and remember,  "It's for you".

Right hand industry

Here's a thought for the industry on the right that is inspired by an industry I have planned on my own layout.

Since you are planning room for 2 cars, make the building into a fat L shape and have the right-most spot inside the building with a roll-up door. Make it a non-descript tilt-up concrete wall building. Name it something like "Universal Exports" (I'm a bit of a James Bond fan). The indoor spot can then handle whatever you'd like to park inside it: boxcar, gondola, covered gon, covered hopper, flatcar, tank, steel coil car, etc.

Mike in CO

Nice plan

That's a nice plan for a very small switching layout. You've got all the key elements- runaround track, facing and trailing point industries, and multiple car spots.

Moving the road is probably a good idea, I was looking at moving the right end of the runaround track past the switch for the cold storage facility, but then you don't have enough lead to switch the food plant efficiently.

good ideas

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I have been working to try and fit a transload pad in between the runaround and the road and things are getting tight.  Looking on google it seems I need about 6" (50ft) between the track and road for it, thats just enough room for a fork lift to work next to a semi trailer when unloading a center beam lumber car..  Most of the road gets cut out, only the left 4ft remains.  Im wondering if it would be better to loose the road and just show the transload pad with an approach off the road on the right  (I could leave the road going off to the right with a T intersection).  Seems like this would be less busy.

I will try and post an updated track plan later.

As for the industry on the right, yes nursemedic97i i had though of some kind of industrial manufacturing plant with indoor car spots, but im not sure that fits the scene with the food producer. Not sure you would see those industries together?

Started building the benchwork already, using shelving brackets similar to Lance Mindheims east rail..  Been wondering if i should start a blog to capture the trials and tribulations of a novice modeler starting out lol.

A little update, I have been

A little update, I have been working on the plan to fit a transload pad in between the runaround and the road and this is what i have ended up with.  I think i can make it a little narrower, about 1" maybe. This would help move everything forward which would help the building at the back.

  "I think i can make it a

How about curving the fascia out a bit so the road width can continue across the front? .....DaveB

That is interesting

That is a interesting idea..  I have built the benchwork already, not that it would be to hard to add..  But i think its ok only seeing part of the road.  If i include a sidewalk that terminates at the transload pad that would help with the road i think..

I am still thinking about this and deciding if the transload pad has made the front of the layout busy or not.. Not totally liking it yet.