I think a four inch overhang should be fine. Just don't let anyone lean on it... including me if I come over to visit...
I finished installing the Woodland Scenics risers and incline starters today. I was able to test run a couple of engines and all works as it should. Next up is industrial spurs and a small yard if I can fit it in.
I’m going to add some triangular pieces so it looks better. I’ll post a photo when I get that done. Thanks Hardcoaler. The WS risers are very easy to work with. Thanks Mike. It was fun watching the 2 locomotives on my trial run.
Merry Christmas to everyone on Trainboard from all of us….well, that would be me……at the Alma & Jupiter Bay Railway here in Florida!
It was a little odd the first year we were here but it didn’t take long to get used to it. It will be in the mid 70s today and that’s just about perfect, and Santa loves it too! Merry Christmas!
True that! My wife and I have rewritten the lyrics to Winter Wonderland to be: Later on, we'll perspire As we sit by the fire
I’ve been test running trains on the layout for over a week and have these observations: The bent figure eight has both advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, when rail fanning the layout, watching the trains run up and down the grades, with one train on the bridge while the other passes below, is visually interesting and more fun than watching them run on a flat layout. Two engines can pull fifteen cars up the grade without any issues. Watching the trains running is entertaining. On the negative side, operations are limited because of the grades. My layout, pictured in a post above, is relatively small, an 8’x8’8” L so about half the track is on the grades. That really limits where switches can be, but it also means that when a train is stopped to switch cars part of it is often on a grade making operations super difficult. I really enjoy switching so this is a big negative. So I’m thinking of removing the grades and reworking the track plan to have more operations at the expense of more interesting scenery and train watching. I’m going to run trains for another week or so before making a decision but I’m leaning toward removing grades. What do you think? Have I overlooked something? I’m interested in hearing your advice before I make my decision.
All good points. On a somewhat smaller layout one may have to decide what is more important and focus on that. On my layout... I have room for most everything. As you say...running trains on the 'flyover' with another going underneath is a really cool effect and I would/may miss that. The yard is on a separate 20 foot 'leg' and doesn't interfere with anything. Now if I can just figure out the 'speed matching' and 'mu-ing' things so trains can climb the inclines with 2 locomotives on the front...life will be grand !! Again...decide what is most important for you and concentrate on that. Running 'on the flats' can be just as enjoyable. A few 'view blocks' here and there and 'BAM" you are good to go ! .
I used to have an HCD figure-8 layout with the flyover crossing over a yard on one side, and a couple of small industries on the other side of the underpassing tracks. The front side of the incline (at left on your layout) might need viaducts on inclined piers, rather than rising terrain for the grade. But viaduct curves don't come in anything larger than 15R30, so easing into the curve might be a little harsher than you can do with 28R or 19R on grade. Then again, you're double-tracking, so you're limited to choices of curve radii anyway. I wouldn't give up on the bent figure 8 just yet, but this ain't my layout; gotta make it your own!
Yes, that’s one of the things I love about Unitrack. Thanks for your input. I truly appreciate it. You are right, I have to decide what is most important to me. Thanks, I’m going to take some time and think this through.
I removed the grades and I’m working on modifying the track for flat running. I have an idea of what I want to do and should have photos soon.
Here are the promised pictures. I will play with this a bit before committing to it. I may tweak it a bit, maybe not.
