Sunday, December 23, 2012

Track Plan Progress for the UP Council Bluffs Sub

I continue to make progress on my UP Council Bluffs Sub track plan.  Much of what you see below is my initial ideas that have been somewhat refined from the original pencil and paper scribbles.  I think I have a good mix of industries that will allow for a good mix of rollingstock.  The I-80 bridge that you see on both sections is intended to help hide the seam between benchwork sections, and create a natural divide to give the layout the illusion of greater space and size.  I decided to set it at an angle to break up the straight lines of the 16' table length.  I have drawn in a second highway overpass on the far right of the track plan which represents HWY 92.  I don't know if I will keep this.  My reasoning for this bridge is to help "hide" the end of the layout, but allowing for future layout expansion if desired.

The yard area is still developing, but I intend to add a handful of tracks in a ladder configuration, plus a fueling track and maintenance shed if I have room.  Although the yard design is being inspired by the IAIS yard, it will likely be a Union Pacific yard, with the IAIS having intermodal business only.  This will still allow me to have some IAIS diesel power in the yard if I desire.

The left 8' section is also continuing to develop.  I still have some space towards the front of the table that is unaccounted for.  Some current ideas include a scrap yard, tank farm w/ loading platform, or perhaps swapping the concrete plant with a warehouse for the collection of boxcars that I currently have, which would put the concrete plant on the left front.  The lumber yard space has been reserved but lacks any building detail at this time.

The plan is subject to change, but I am liking what I have so far.  The various sidings seem to flow well, and allow for adequate space for a pair of locomotives and at least a couple of cars.  I placed a run-around track in the middle of the plan for optimal operability.  As part of a larger operation or a continuous loop, the mainline would handle run-through traffic.

Please let me know what you think.



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6 comments:

  1. JSLDecember 23, 2012 at 5:37 PM

    Like it a lot! What number turnouts are you using 10's on the main and 7's. You scratch building the grain elevator, that will look great. I hope you do a how to article or post on your blog how you plan to build it. I mulling over 2" or 3" pvc pipe for the silos? not 100% sure what to do. Look Awesome! Everything you do is so well thought out. What track planning software are you using? JSL

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    1. NscaleAddictDecember 23, 2012 at 9:18 PM

      JSL, not sure about the turnouts. I like to go as big as I can, and I should have enough space here to go with 7 and 10's. The grain elevator will be scratch built, and will use PVC pipe. I am thinking 1.5" ID pipe, which is more like 2" OD. That is about right for an elevator. The silos look big, but scaled to N, you might be surprised how easy it could be to overbuild it. The track plan is good ole MS Excel. I usually use paper and pencil, but this time using my PC. I was going to look into a track planning software, but I already know excel. Thanks for comments.

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  2. JeffDecember 23, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    Looking good. If you want any easy to use planning software anyrail has a free trial on there website. I bough it and have been happy with it. It has all the Atlas Code 50 switches so you always get a real angle and too see what will fit and at what angle. It was the best $50 I have spent.

    Your Plan is well though out. It will operate well by its self or as part of a larger layout.

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    1. NscaleAddictDecember 23, 2012 at 9:20 PM

      Jeff, thanks for the feedback. I saw some good feedback regarding Anyrail, and might check it out. I have been so used to paper and pencil, and really get impatient trying to learn a new software when all I want to do is draw. My Excel version actually turned out better than I was hoping for, so at least it is serving the purpose this cycle.

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  3. AnonymousDecember 28, 2012 at 12:59 PM

    Looks like a great sampling of several industries; a pleasing buffet of several types that modern railroads serve. I like how you are using the grain elevator and container stack/s as "view blocks" for the horizon or skyline. The containers especially should allow some blending of the backdrop with foregound elements. I really like how you will be including the IAIS for variety as well. Always good to have the ability to run more than one RR's trains! Must get you some piggy packers...

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    1. NscaleAddictDecember 31, 2012 at 7:10 PM

      thanks for the comments. Your thoughts are exactly correct in what I was thinking in my planning. And, I do have two piggy packers already... so the IAIS intermodal yard was a deliberate decision.

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