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.
