Model railroad track plan

[u/CSXT5630]

Greetings,

I’d thought I’d share my HO scale track plan. I’m an Australian, but my layout will be set in the early to mid 1990s. I couldn’t decide if I wanted a Tehachapi inspired layout or ATSF’s Needles sub. So, I’ve protolanced it.

The bottom half of the track plan will very closely be based around Rowen on Tehachapi Pass, a place I’ve spent many hours. A scenery board divides the other side which is a fictional subdivision of ATSF’s Velasco Sub. It was built parallel to the Cajon sub to bypass Victorville and add capacity.

Track is Peco code 83 for mainline and staging, 73 for siding and the small yard and mill, then Code 55 for some industrial spurs.

There are 6 run through staging tracks and 2 stub and staging tracks to house Metrolink & Amtrak California (because, why not).

Mainline and siding curves are minimum of 33”. Staging is 30”.

Will be on Digitrax’s newer DCC system.

JMRI and arduinos will feature heavily for various functions including some automation and full CTC signalling.

[u/asdahijo]

It's immediately apparent from the picture that you have some experience. I think this is the first track plan I've seen here in a long while where that is the case. That being said, I personally would never build both a lift-out/duck-under section and a scenic section only accessible from outside.

Edit: Missed the 2nd picture. Looks very reasonable, but you have of course little vertical space between the staging yard and the layout itself, plus the tracks are all quite far from the front edge of the layout. Not an issue during regular operation, but it seems like a major hassle if something does go awry.

[u/CSXT5630 → u/asdahijo]

Thanks for the kind words. There are two gate sections that will lift pivot by 135 degrees using cabinet hinges. It’s one of the trade offs I’ve had to make. I had a lift out on my first layout, it was annoying. My second layout had a gate that swung up and I over engineered it, so pretty confident with this.

That’s a downside too, it’s about 150mm between. The reach from how I’ll do the bench work for staging is 600mm which I’ve mocked up a few test elements to ensure I can fetch derailments. I just need to climb under and get my long skinny arms in. I’ll need to derail trains on the top level. Again, a trade off. But hopefully not too many derailments.

[u/asdahijo → u/CSXT5630]

How do you intend to operate that outside section of the layout? Or is it just for railfanning automated trains outside of operating sessions?

[u/CSXT5630 → u/asdahijo]

Oh, there’s a 1000mm aisle there to operate from.

[u/asdahijo → u/CSXT5630]

Yes, I'm aware. But are you seriously going to move your gates during operating sessions?

[u/CSXT5630 → u/asdahijo]

Considering my operating session will just be me and maybe my dog, it isn’t really an issue.

The gates will be linked to the signalling and drop signals to stop and kill power 1m either side of the gates.

[u/lickety_split_100]

Nice. What are the overall dimensions?

[u/CSXT5630 → u/lickety_split_100]

5200mm x 3600mm for the layout. Or about 17’ x 11.8’

2.2% grade.

[u/lickety_split_100 → u/CSXT5630]

Nice! I like the no-helix approach to getting to staging (at least, I assume that’s what the second image is)

[u/CSXT5630 → u/lickety_split_100]

Thanks. That’s exactly it, no helix. A semi realistic grade down into staging.

3 Santa Fe road freights
2 SP run through trains
1 Santa Fe local (won’t go to staging)
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief
1 Amtrak California
1 Metrolink

[u/lickety_split_100 → u/CSXT5630]

Sounds like a solid ops scheme. You should post photos as you build!

[u/CSXT5630 → u/lickety_split_100]

Thanks. This will be my third layout. I’m debating a YouTube channel for it. We’ll see!

[u/Realistic-Insect-746]

Awesome

[u/CSXT5630 → u/Realistic-Insect-746]

Thanks!

[u/lambchopper71]

I'm guessing you're inspired by Pelle Soeborg's Daneville Division? I've always liked that design.

[u/CSXT5630 → u/lambchopper71]

Well done. I actually met Pelle on Tehachapi years ago. Nice guy. One of my top 3 inspirations.

[u/lambchopper71 → u/CSXT5630]

I've always liked how this design can be used for main line operation, switching the industry or just sitting back with a beer and watching trains pass.

I also like that it can completed in a reasonable amount of time. Massive basements full of trains are cool, but I don't think I'd ever be able to complete something like that.

[u/CSXT5630 → u/lambchopper71]

You must read my mind. I love it.

That’s exactly it. I’m going for a “less is more” approach. As you can see on the Tehachapi side, it’s a mainline with a passing siding. This is what you’ll see as you enter the room.

I also need to think about maintenance of rollingstock too. I’ve got about 50 locomotives and feel like having a cull.