operation

You aren't going to get much operation with just those dominoes because the siding switches are just inches from the ends.  There is no way to move a cut from the main or siding to the industry tracks to switch the industries.  To actually get operation you will need a train length of track on either end of the dominoes.

You may need longer tracks under the gravel dump to make it look "right".  A loader (grain, coal, rock, ore, etc) works by putting empties on one side and then rolling, pushing, pulling the cars under the loader, ending up with the loads on the other side.  So if you want to load a cut of n cars then the track should be at least 2n-1 long.  If you want to load cuts of 3 cars, then the track should be at least 5 cars long.

Staging Yards

I agree with Dave.  I would suggest that you construct temporary staging yards for each end of the layout.  As the layout expands you can move the staging yards to the new end of the layout.  Your trains can enter the layout from each end; switch the layout and head out of town.

Staging Yards

The staging yards can also serve as a switching lead.

If you are going to run 8 foot long trains,

you will need a minimum of 8 feet + a couple of inches on either end of the switches for leads.  If what you have drawn is 12 feet in length you will need another 8 feet if it is to be worked from one end only, or 16 feet if you want to work it from either end.  The good news is that you can  make the extensions on either end as narrow as 4 inches wide, just wide enough to fit one track.  You may want a bit more width to keep a derailed train from taking the big fall, or you could put a clear plexi on either side of the staging tracks to hold everything on the layout.

Temporary Staging

Thank you for pointing the staging space out to me.  I do intend to put temporary staging or at least a switching lead off of each side of the domino.  My intent is to work my way around the room, but I am trying to start with something manageable.

Also, thanks for the comments on the gravel loader.  Unfortunately, my space does not permit that to be double ended, but I will be able to add track so I can push two cars past the loader with a third underneath and pull them out as they get loaded.

Are there any other glaring issues?  For people who have had more experience with operations, does this plan look like something that would hold your interest (keep in mind that it will become part of a larger layout).

Since it is the fist step to a larger layout,

I think it will work fine.  Just run shorter trains until you have built enough other dominoes to handle the extra train length.  You could also solve the gravel loader problem with another dominoe that continues the gravel sidings to become double ended on the connecting section.

I wish I could extend the gravel sidings...

Russ,

Thanks for the comments.  The next section to the left will be a 90 degree corner that will have minimal trackage and no scenery (lift bridge).  It is what it is for now.  That's the benefit of dominos, I can always rearrange them later if I have an epiphany.

I'll be cutting all the benchwork tonight.

Cheers!

Ryan

A Quick Start

Hi Ryan-

If you are especially eager to get going and test your plan (nothing really jumps out at me just looking at it) you can hold off on installing the two storage tracks on the bottom of the module right away.  Since you just have staging tracks off the ends of the layout there isn't an issue fouling the main for now.  You can leave the train there and use the runaround as needed to serve the various industries.

Otherwise get building and have fun!

Oh, and since we are talking about the Milwaukee Road and Wisconsin go Badgers!!!

Parallel

Normally I would suggest putting a gentle curve in the track plan to break up the long straight, but for a midwest layout long straight stretches are normal.

I might suggest not making the tracks perfectly parallel to the edges of the layout and the streets not at right angles. to the layout edges.

I'm not sure your suggestion is possible, Dave.

"I might suggest not making the tracks perfectly parallel to the edges of the layout and the streets not at right angles. to the layout edges."

Roads could easily be angled, but if every grade crossing is at an angle, it will look funny.  Building an entire layout with dominoes, and doing a midwest theme, unless he uses curves, he is going to have the track fall off the edge of the layout.  Long straights on a modular or sectional layout have to be parallel to the bench work.

Maybe possible....

Sometimes even the slightest angle away from the shelf edge will help, and only use up a few inches of space.  Heres a small section from my track plan where I tilted the track a few degrees counter clockwise to eliminate the "grid" look. 

Pete

 Looking at the original

Looking at the original track schematic of Hartland on your blog, I think the extra crossover to the freight house sort of is too much of a departure from the look and feel of the prototype

Prototype:

How about sticking a couple of the industries at the track at the bottom, and then operationally use the track past the RR station as the passing track, instead of using the bottommost track in the track schematic above as the passing track? That would also allow you to model a far larger feed mill, with some more spots - maybe also an implement dealer, or a tank unloading spot of some kind?

 Another option would be to not model the gravel loader, but just the start of the spur leading to the gravel pit outside town - where loaded cars would wait to be picked up, and empty cars can be spotted to be filler at the gravel pit.

Rough sketch:

I think 8 foot trains are too long for this town - the longest train shown here is about 5 1/2 feet long, the gravel hoppers are 30-foot hoppers (which probably are too small for gravel hoppers - but I guess they could be some kind of heavier ore cars).

 Or you can combine the two ideas - keep industries at the back, passing siding at front, but do a spur towards the gravel pit:


 

As drawn above, the track plan is marginally possible to switch without extra staging (with fewer cars in the scene). But extra staging would make it far more interesting - as you could do train meets etc.

Smile,
 Stein

This is why I love the MRH forum!

Stein,

Thank you for your suggestion! I can tell that you put a great deal of time and thought into it. (Especially having gone back and digging through my old posts.) The crossover that you reference was an oversight in my original diagram. I am guessing it was there so they could switch out the freight house without disturbing the industries. That said, I absolutely love your first idea. It really opens up the scene and gives me the ability to put some flats behind the depot to help hide the transition from the layout to the wall.

I like the idea of moving the gravel pit off to the curved module to the left. If I switch where I put the domino on a different wall, I have room for the industry. I can also add some elevation change up to the gravel pit which is exciting to me. This plan also let's me incorporate the suggestion to angle the track slightly, I should have no problem doing that now. I realize that this town doesn't require 8' trains, other parts of the layout will, so I still would like my sidings to have that capacity. Can the depot track also be used as a passing siding? I think there is plenty of real estate to lengthen it if it would be considered normal to serve that function.

I'm about to head out, so I'll try to draw this up tonight and post the update. I also have all the wood cut and drilled for the benchwork, so I'd like to put that together as well.
Thanks again Stein!

Grinning, not smiling,

Ryan

 Not sure whether the siding

Not sure whether the siding by the depot would historically have been used as a passing siding or not.

 But as you say, there is not a big problem making that siding longer - just pull most of the tracks (and the depot, oil dealer and freight house) closer to the layout front/aisle, while keeping the feed mill at upper right at the rear.

 That opens up a little more space behind the depot for main street type buildings, and between the main and the feed mill for an extension of the depot siding:

Smile,
Stein

I htink the depot track could be used as a passing siding.

If it is a small town depot on a branch line that only see one or two trains a day, the track could be used as a passing siding when no passenger trains were due.

What number switches?

Stein,

What number switches did you use?  Is this 2" track spacing?  I am having a hard time getting the spacing to work out in 3rd PlanIt.

What software do you use for layout design?

Thanks,

Ryan

Turnouts in my sketch was

Turnouts in my sketch was Peco code 70 medium turnouts. Track spacing is 2".

 Drawing program XtrkCad.

 Smile,
 Stein