0.3.2 Layout Oriented Parameters

Theme

• Freelance prototype. Uses one or more prototype railroads to establish a set of guidelines and then create a railroad within the chosen framework.

• A variety of natural resource and commercial customers (lumber, grains, fertilizers, chemical, wood chips, logs, sand, gravel, cement, coal, etc.)

• Believable train lengths of no more than engine 8 cars and caboose. Not more than 75% of train’s cars to be to one industry.

Layout Configuration

• Walk in with no backtracking.

• Walls to the ceiling in a spiral pattern allow an around the room type track plan to be extended to a point-to-point distance of 100 feet.

• Multi-tier bench work: Double decked to provide the increased main line running time.

• Shallow design - not more than 24 inches in depth.

• No duck-unders. No pop-up hatches

Track plan schematic

• A point to point route, preferable avoiding any repeated use of the same track. No continuous loop operation desired.

• Single track with multiple passing points. Several intermediate stations with passing track long enough to hold a train while others pass or meet it.

• Terminals. A terminal at each end with facilities to accept arriving trains and hold them as well as release departing trains when required.

• Yard Placement and Design. Small yards of no more than 3 or 4 tracks with a divisional point yard placed near the class 1 interchange.

• Junction and Interchange. A non-operational junction with a working interchange with a Class 1 railroad.

• Sufficient spurs and sidings to provide interesting operations.

• Engine servicing facilities. Appropriate sized engine-servicing facilities at terminals for all locomotive types. Turntable lengths of 75 and 90 feet are suitably short for regional steam locomotives and first generational diesels.

Special features

• Helix. Starts at 36 inches at its lowest and 60 inches at its highest . Two tracks 18 and 21 inch radius with crossover located on level 3.

• Staging yards are provided in each end of the line and a division point yard is provided, approximately in the middle of the main line run.

Right of Way

• Standards will be based on prototype ROW/MOW operations for appropriate class track. In the absence of prototype standards, ROW will follow NMRA standards.

• Easy access to all turnouts and track. No hidden tracks. 

Technical Standards

• Track Work. Track, turnouts and special works is Code 83. Main line curves are a minimum radius of 24 Visible and 21 (hidden) with spiral easements on each end. Track work will be constructed for operational perfection, but sceniced for appropriate Class I and Class III standards.
  

• Grades. Grades prototypical on viewable sections. Helix grade no more than 4 percent.