Track plan ideas

[atnas666]

Thanks boss just ordered

See i need a largish set up coz i got a live steamer i need to run on it.

Although it does not need to take the whole room may be L shaped with levels?

[atnas666]

Would some thing like this work? http://www.scarm.info/layouts/track_plans.php?ltp=132#

[End2end]

See i need a largish set up coz i got a live steamer i need to run on it.

I take it you mean a steam loco not a river steamer.
Would this not have to have it's own seperate track and power supply rather than normal DC or DCC?
Unless you mean a sueth(?) -like smoke unit in a normal loco.
Perhaps a member can advise.
Thanks
End2end

[atnas666]

I mean a steam loco. And yes and it can not be run on normal dc/dcc But this not a big deal for me. I don't mind running her alone

Here she is my live steam https://youtu.be/W7C6De0ogR4 first time out the box today..

She will be dcc converted in the future... But for now she is alone steamer

[Emettman]

I mean a steam loco.

I went looking for information on this, As I had my suspicions about design limits
Found what may be useful pages:
http://www.oolivesteam.com/Getting_Star ... print.html

Particularly for me, if drawing suggestions for track plans:
" Beware! The sets include third radius curves which are too sharp to run Live Steam locomotives on at any speed."
So according to this, if single track then R4 is the minimum,
and then then for double track R3 and R4, if the inner track can run an an electric train, or R4 and R5 if at a future date live steam might be wanted on both tracks.

I need to go sketching.

Chris

[atnas666]

Thanks for that I'm on that site to. Radius 3 runs at just the speed I'm happy at to be honest. "Pretty sure that's what is in the above video

But either way she is and will be the only live steam I have.

All others will be dcc. So they are the real priorite for the lay out... So any more layout plans welcome :p

And thank you emettman

[atnas666]

Sorry I kinda miss what you were saying r4 and r3 tracks are good for me. May be some inclines etc? And thanks

[Emettman]

Thanks for that I'm on that site to. Radius 3 runs at just the speed I'm happy at to be honest. "
And thank you emettman

OK, so I need not think about R5. That may give me a little more room.
(but, given space, the gentler the curves, the better.)


Chris

[Emettman]

OK a first thought, just to see if I'm too far out of the box.




Radius 4 & 5 for the high level viaduct /short tunnel /bridge main line.
Either track (or both) could be given steam voltage via a simple DPDT switch for each line.

Underneath, R3 minimum curves for the earlier /local / mineral line. lots of variety possible here: lose the through station and have storage loops on the return loop instead, or have a much more curved station on the front return loop line, and hide more of rear return track, for examples.
The stations are for 2-3 57ft coaches + tank engine.
The line could easily be made mineral dominated, with passengers the minor traffic.
The plain inside "S" curve should drop a little to separate it visually from the through station.

Trying to get good general working for the layout while incorporating 1-2 good routes for the steam was not going well, so I looked at this, which also gives good access and interesting train operation through the novelty of separating the two lines.
The stretched terminus is so the operating controls for it can reasonably be in the main operating area.

Chris

[TimberSurf]

Great plan Chris, but I would connect the two for when on DCC

door2_zpszonjxdhq V1.01.jpg (55.93 KiB) Viewed 2622 times

by having an embankment wall between purple and red

[Emettman]

Great plan Chris, but I would connect the two for when on DCC
by having an embankment wall between purple and red

That will get you up, but won't get a steam train down (multiple unit dmus ARE easier!)
The lower layout won't handle the length of trains I envisage for the two display /running ovals anyway. (I was thinking of 6 coaches)
Yes, t's not a finished plan: I might try to get at least one train loop hidden at the far right on the high level to make a total of three trains available at that level.


A lot will depend on what atnas666 has for preferences and priorities.
And whether he just thinks I'm mad!

Chris

[atnas666]

I'm liking this.. looks crazy! In a good way

[Emettman]

I'm liking this.. looks crazy! In a good way

I do tend to do crazy, but I can (usually) give a reason for any feature or idea I've put in.

How many coaches were you hoping to put behind you live steamer?
I couldn't find a way to do more than 3, 4 at a pinch, and still incorporate the steam track in a through station,
this while allowing the station to operate with any ease, NOT needing to encroach on the live steam track.

If you let me know anything you'd like in or out or shaken about I'll have a think and a play and see what's possible.

Chris

[atnas666]

3-4 behind the steam is perfect... But would be nice if they could all be linked some how like "timbersurf" suggested for when the steamer is not running

Do love the looks tho

[Emettman]

If separate, no reason not to have 5 or 6 coaches behind an express loco, live steam or not, on the higher level,
but getting the lower track to handle even three mainline length coaches I found very difficult.

I will have another look and see if there's a different approach that can be made to work

Chris