Layover

In the past I've related how operating the "virtual" trains on the track plan revealed shortcomings in the track arrangement. Running real trains can do the same thing. Watching the test trains moving around the loop it became apparent that a single loop wasn't a good way to represent two different rairoads. One problem is the fact that all the current consists are all Pennsy, so both PRR equipment appears on both "railroads". The other issue is the schedule of the Class 1 trains. The run is quite short and the trains appear too frequently for my tastes. It's not a problem when operating the loop for the grandkids. During actual operating sessions, however, it is not gonna cut it.

The first concern can be overcome  issue by creating two separate loops. That's a bit challenging because there really isn't enough room. One of the loops has to cross over the other. Crossing at grade would result in collisions. The only solution is to go up...

Average Eastern Trackplan, April 5th, 2014

I backed up a bit on construction and revised the roadbed. Thankfully, the styrofoam splne makes this pretty easy. There are now two independent loops. The lower one passes through Average...

Lower Loop

The upper one connects to the AE at East End...

Upper Loop

The upper loop is supported by 2.5" styrofoam columns spaced on 8" centers. The roadbed for the Average Eastern is supported on similar columns, but with varying height. The highest point on the AE main is About 7" off the "deck" or top of the benchwork. This is just west of Carbon Point where all three mainlines cross over each other...

Triple Crossing

The resulting triple crossing makes a tempting scenery element, but won't be readily obvious. This is because the rear of each Class 1 loop will serve as "staging". There are no staging yards, so it's more like layover trackage. This will solve the frequency issue on the Class 1's. The trains will simply stop and wait for their scheduled appearence time at Average or East End. This probably won't happen right away. Some sort of timing circuit will need to be created. In the near future the trains will just loop the loops.

The Q Co tracks will be supprted on columns the same way as the AE, but at 7.5" to 8" above the benchwork.

Those of you who may have noticed that there is only .5" of clearance where the tracks cross over each other can take heart in the fact that there will be openings of the proper size. With the spline construction it's just easier to create the proper opening after the spline is in place.

Regards,

Frank Musick

Building a dream layout on a nightmare budget

The Average Eastern Railroad