Sketchpad

Still working on ideas. I made another sketch while wondering if I could include the trolley line that was formerly the Logan Valley. The Eastern Electric as it's called on this "average" layout, serves Average with a connection to a larger city. I pictured the left side of the layout as a main road (RT 442, named for my favorite Oldsmobile). The private right of way of the Eastern Electric runs parallel to the two lane highway. Of course the idea doesn't really work, but I had to try it out. I'll have to lay it out on the layout to get a better idea. May have to scrap the idea completely and build a separate traction layout...

Sketch: Track Plan

For the most part I think the branch/short line will work. Looking over other track plans and such there doesn't seem to be any particular rule to how industrial sidings work. The industry is located here and they need a siding is the only priority. Trailing point turnouts are preferred but are not always possible. In some cases a switchback siding may be the only alternative so I threw one in at Common. The anthracite and/or autunite mine will be supplemented by "wildcat" loaders, a kind of team track for mom & pop mining operations. Still wondering how to work in a logging operartion or lumber mill.

One location I'm having trouble with is the former "Horseshoe Curve". I envision the mainline tunneling through a ridge line that is cut by the river. The branch crosses the mainline and the river twice. In between the river bridges the branch runs through a cut in the ridge... 

Sketch: What To Do

Problem is that the branch is in the foreground and at a higher elevation. On most model railroads the exact opposite would be the case. I'm not sure how it will look. Once again I'll have to lay it out using real track in the space allotted.

A much easier area to work on is the engine terminal and yard. The yard is small as befits a railroad the size of the Average Eastern. I tried to set up the sand, water and fuel in a logical flow coming out of the two stall enginehouse. The facilities sit between the tracks so two engines can be serviced at one time. Not sure how many small time roads would do this, but this is my railroad... 

Sketch: Average Facilities

With the cold snap we've been having and other interruptions progress is slow, but sure.

An interesting aspect that has surfaced is the use of both DC and DCC on the layout. The mainlines are DC, controlled by two MRC twin packs. Since the "orbiting" trains run at constant speeds on their own track without human intervention that's all that's needed. The Average Eastern is DCC. Since one track is used by multiple trains it's imperative that each locomotive be controlled individually. I have the decoders and installation instructions for the Bachmann 2-8-0's on the roster. A Bachmann doodlebug will handle the passenger traffic.

That's all for now,

Frank Musick

Building a dream layout on a nightmare budget

The Average Eastern Railroad