Changes to the Changes

Before the summer ran out I had planned and made a large start to the west end of the freight yard and passenger station approach track; these were undertaken to correct a couple of "less than ideal" features that had the previous configuration had required, and add the turntable which was part of the original plan.

After the had been completed I moved on to preparing for and laying the new tracks in the new section:

New Beginnings: Extra Space

After installing the new section to the yard bases, it is time to lay some track. But first, roadbed needs to be added. The guidelines were added during the proof of concept, prior to actually building the new base for the yard.

Mainline Re-alignment

A visualization of where the mainline will go; most important points are space for the eventual turntable and a straight run into the passenger platforms. I have not decided fro sure what else will be added to the engine terminal space, but a roundhouse is one option (space permitting) or maybe some additional service trackage off of the the turntable.

Change to Changes: Modification of the Track Components

During the process I decided that I wanted to increase the flexibility of the station and yard approach tracks to make the flow more flexible. Adding a double-slip switch increased the operational potential while drastically shortening the space required to achieve the same same results with conventional turnouts. the advantages:

1 Trains can arrive into the yard on the right-hand (wrong) main and return to their original platform tracks to simulate a problem outside of the station.

2. Freight operations using both mains to reach the yard are possible, as access across the left-hand main can now be achieved within the yard limits, and does not require using the mainline to reach a crossover further out.

3. The double-slip switch add to the appearance of complexity in the station approach tracks.

These shot were taken with an old Shinohara double slip that I have had for a long while, but was not quite sure where it might find use.

Overhead View of Track Changes

A mock up of the revised plan featuring the Shinohara double slip; a Shinohara #6 was also considered to keep the alignment more simple, and reduce rail height difference issues.

Preparing the Route Changes

Happy with the revisions, certain other changes were now needed. To support the double-slip, the roadbed had to be amended.  The crossover section were added, and mounting pads were placed for the turnout servo motors..

Mainline Tracks Placed

After placing the the double-slip crossover roadbed changes I placed the mainline and extended yard leads.

Change of "Change of" Plans

Disappointed with the Shinohara double-slip switch, I broke down and acquired a Peco "fine scale" electrofrog version. Without resorting to replacing the medium radius turnout on the switch lead (top of the photo below and to the right of the crossover to the right of the SD40s) I think the alignment of the transition from the double-slip to the fourth platform track is pretty good. As it is a working track the the speed restriction will be a bit tougher on that track, compared to the other three.

The next steps will involve adding the servo motors, and revising the wiring for the changes to the track arrangements.

Continuing Towards a Turntable

Despite the intervention of summer travels and the Squaw Falls exhibition layout project, I managed to get a bit more progress made on the revised locomotive terminal, to include space to mount the turntable!

I have decided though that rather than risk the highly detailed Diamond scale Models craftsman kit in this environment, I will go with the Heljan/Con Cor turntable that I have had since the 1970s. Motorizing it should not be too much of a challenge post installation, and the plastic components might be better able to cope with the temperature changes.

At the same time I did some of the preliminary preparation, to get an idea of where things would go and what they may look like...

Revised station approach tracks:

New Route Roadbed

Hopefully soon the mainline tracks will leave the station going straight, rather than at the odd angle they and the drill tracks currently lie in. Once I get the new box built for the yard expansion I can concentrate on restoring the mainlines, and work on re-aligning the other track that will change to make way for the turntable. Restoring what currently works will be the first priority, so I can run trains again, then finish up the servo mounting further up the station area.

Re-alignment Preparations Continue

Preparing for a major change on the west end of the station and yard; the curve leading in will be straightened, and the escape track will be reinstated for track 1 and 2. The cork in the foreground is the future alignment of the mainline, which will go straight to track 2 and 3 (all track numbers from the right).

Foundation:

Nothing is any good without a solid base, so I extended the benchwork using the same approach as the rest of the layout. Now just waiting for the next time to get it in place

Extension Base Completed

Waiting for the glue to dry; will be a few weeks before I get to get it mounted and work on track... 

Another Major Change of Plans

A number of factors have come together to make me decide to put the turntable back into the plan at the engine terminal of the loft layout; I had an epiphany about how to incorporate it.  This would mean building an extension of the plywood frame and re-aligning the mainline and drill tracks, bringing them out and straightening them. The turntable itself would be mounted on the new section, but all yard turnouts would remain on the existing section.

Proposed Changes to Four Tracks

This photo shows where the tracks will be affect for the most part, straightening them and removing the curve in the drill tracks.

Proposed Change from the Station End

Another view of the proposed trackage changes...

I laid out the foam sections as a proof of concept, to judge the impact and feasibility. One crossover will need to be moved, but other than that, looks like it is do-able... next step: box frame to support it...

Mock-up of the Turntable Location

You can see how the mainline will be rerouted past the space for the turntable track and maybe a roundhouse...

Overall View of a New Section

Following my brainwave on adding the turntable, I laid out the foam sections as a proof of concept, to judge the impact and feasibility. One crossover will need to be moved, but other than that, looks like it is do-able... next step: box frame to support it...