03-09-2010, 01:49 PM
Matt - Good thoughts. I'm not in favor of the second option, but I'll play around with the first. Accessibility to the waterworks turnout has been on my mind as I review the plan, as well as the grade.
A cursory check of some other similar grades/switching areas turns up much higher percentages. Many of these are just plans, i.e., not sure how many actually were built, but the Gum Stump & Snowshoe has a 9% grade. Of course it was powered by little Ken Kidder steamers and occasionally a 44 tonner, and only handled 2 or three short cars, but that's about the max for my little tail track.
Another option is to only slightly elevate the mainline (say 1/2" or so) and put in a level crossing at grade. Contrary to popular planning dogma, I have actually seen some sidings elevated above the main. The industries inside the curve would be slightly below grade and the waterworks/unnamed industry outside the curve slightly elevated. It would still give a good feel of depth, just perhaps not as much visual interest. The switcher would have to stay clear of the main and the crossing would need an interlocking tower (...oh darn, another cool structure to build...) but that could be fun.
And now that I think about it, putting all track on the same general level would eliminate the need to run track parallel to the main lines in order to drop down below grade. I could move the switch away from the unnamed industry all the way across to the other curve on the left. This would give me room back there for some deeper background flats. Hmmm... :geek:
Galen
A cursory check of some other similar grades/switching areas turns up much higher percentages. Many of these are just plans, i.e., not sure how many actually were built, but the Gum Stump & Snowshoe has a 9% grade. Of course it was powered by little Ken Kidder steamers and occasionally a 44 tonner, and only handled 2 or three short cars, but that's about the max for my little tail track.
Another option is to only slightly elevate the mainline (say 1/2" or so) and put in a level crossing at grade. Contrary to popular planning dogma, I have actually seen some sidings elevated above the main. The industries inside the curve would be slightly below grade and the waterworks/unnamed industry outside the curve slightly elevated. It would still give a good feel of depth, just perhaps not as much visual interest. The switcher would have to stay clear of the main and the crossing would need an interlocking tower (...oh darn, another cool structure to build...) but that could be fun.
And now that I think about it, putting all track on the same general level would eliminate the need to run track parallel to the main lines in order to drop down below grade. I could move the switch away from the unnamed industry all the way across to the other curve on the left. This would give me room back there for some deeper background flats. Hmmm... :geek:
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!