Help, I'd like your opinions on layout, please

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goonybirdCharter Member · 324 postsMar 14, 2004 1:25 AM

LAST EDITED ON Mar-13-04 AT 08:26 PM (EST)

Please help me, I'd like your opinions because I've a nagging feeling I may be overlooking some visual or operational perspective.Several of my junctions are set upon slopes. One such junction has a slope angle of 0.900 (1.57% grade). This junction is laid about ten metres higher alongside the outward end of a broad rail yard that basically parallels a broad mainline. The junction links up a dual-track chord, which rises somewhat gently upon an embankment with gently sloped sides from the inward-end yard service tracks and the mainline, to a dual-track branch line running atop a steep-sided embankment. The slope of the junction, however, runs in the opposite direction of the overall rise of the chord. Elevation-wise, the opposing junction slope causes each of the two chord tracks to have a hump. The humps made me put some extra distance between the collection of chord and branchline tracks, and the (excuse me: ) yet-to-be-laid service street that will flank the collection and yard by separating the latter two from each other.In short successions the opposite direction, the merged end of this junction levels out, bends a little, and then crosses the outer-end yard service tracks and mainline.The perimeter chord and branch lines appear to be too far away from the rail yard (scroll down for supporting screenshots), the broad gap seemingly inhibiting trains on either side of it from being shown off well, the showing off of trains being what I try to aim for.Do you think I should:
· leave the layout as is?
· halve the slope to the junction, and relay the chords and branch line a little closer to the edge of the rail yard (service street, really), thereby lowering the chords and branch lines a little while steepening the chord banks slightly?
· level out the junction, and relay the chords and branch line much closer to the edge of the rail yard, thereby perceptibly lowering the chords and branchline while sharpening the chord-bank slopes?
· please, any other idea? would you post it for me?For either layout modification summarized above, I'd be open to edging the inner side(s) of the above-described junction and/or the outward end of the inner chord with a retaining wall.Thank you for taking the time to let me know which way you'd prefer the layout be! Cheers,
goonybirdLast updated March 13, 2004:
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Bayou/4804/ a fictitious network serving London, Weymouth, and points in between

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HobartCharter Member · 773 postsMar 14, 2004 5:39 PM

RE: Help, I'd like your opinions on layout, please.

I would move it closer to the yard but try and keep the elevation the same. The top view shows you have plenty of room. BTW, nice track work

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goonybirdCharter Member · 324 postsMar 17, 2004 3:53 AM

RE: Help, I'd like your opinions on layout, please.

Hmmm, I like that: keep the elevation the same. I like your idea, especially since I just embellished a junction this past weekend. The junction now has several lofty vantage points, and no view seems compromised.Thank you, cheers! Here's a link to shots of the junction I mention above that I re-assembled just this past weekend -- I'm so happy with its trackwork: http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/DCForumID15/3169.htmlCheers again,
goonybirdUpdated March 14, 2004: http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Bayou/4804/ a fictitious network serving London, Weymouth, and points in between

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goonybirdCharter Member · 324 postsMay 13, 2004 8:09 PM

RE: Help, I'd like your opinions on layout, please.

Hey Hobart, I finally got around to reconfiguring the yard like you suggested I do, and am thinking you might wish to see the outcome. The following screenshots aren't the greatest.However, the views from the mainline, branchline, and the two chords (one linking the two former lines; the other, with another yard a couple of miles toward the city) now look decent.Thank you -- I'm really pleased.Cheers,
goonybird

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