Alice Springs impromptu operating session

Hi All

Thanks to a little bit of luck, we managed to run a impromptu operating session on Alice Springs. This was the first following exhibition at Caulfield.  Lots of track to clean!

Jim and Rick were new operators, while Bill observed.  I must say its interesting to watch Jim work the yard as the man on the ground in the ute, he worked through Alice Springs with ARG - GWA while back.

Rick and Jim discussing the next move

The L was getting a test run.

Lunch! Is up!

Elle Ally loretta Helen Bill Dave Rick Doug and Jim

Future layout concepts part 3

Hi All

Here is another version, this is an ultra modern version.
The major focus is grain, and containers.

The concept here is an out an back branchline operation.  This means a crew would sign on at the major yard and then head off to a silo location, load and return, in one shift if possible.

However its not as easy as it seems, as per prototype most of the loops are shorter than the average train, with a one silo service, this means some tricky shunting and ensure that you are not blocking the road, on ute for shunting, so more ground work, and then train order etc.

One loading point does not even have a run around loop, lots of re arranging.

finally a main line only hard stand area, so an out, run around then back to the hard stand location and strip and back load.

town silos to the left, Junction town Silos to the right.

 Major yard

Hard stand area.

 Two branches back to back, the middle would have a double sided back drop.

major yard.

High speed loader, at the end of this branch.

Well at least it interesting to play around and see that would work etc.

I was worth discovering the train length, saved me $500 in hopper purchases.

Enjoy 

Scott

Future Layout concepts part 2

Hi All

I have completed the mock up of the main yard, Locomotive Depot and major industry.

the locomotive depot, not exactly as per prototype, just not the space for it.  I have had to remove another shunting area due to not enough room, thus better now than later.

The fiddle yard is on the left the right is another major industry.

More work to be done!!!

Future layout concepts part 1

Hi All

Here are some pictures of a proposed layout mock up.
I find that even a simple plonking of track and scenery mock ups, is almost fundamental to good planning.

Here is a picture of the industrial area, I had originally designed this as a 3ft width, with a centre back drop however with positioning planning it was clear that 4ft width was much more appropriate, and would enable the industrial area to be replicated without a backdrop, a much better result.

Even though its an industrial area, I wanted to maintain high standards, 3ft radi and gentle transitions, for no other reasons than to reduce coupler lock and derailments.

The plan is a very close replication of the prototype track plan, this makes life so much easier.

 The ladder arrangement had to re jigged to ensure points were not close to proposed board joins.

 The point work on the start of the industrial branch.

I am happy I made this full size mock up, even if you might have just a pipe dream, Sometime you just have ask yourself the important questions::
Will it fit?
Does it look like you envisaged?
Will it be operationally suitable?
Is the access acceptable, are there any black spots?
Are the train lengths I am after possible?

Its always interesting to see where you could go with your modeling, and nothing like seeing it in full size!

Scott