10-21-2010, 05:45 PM
Richard,
Here's a rough sketch with a couple of the ideas I mentioned, plus a new one - making the main into an up-n-over figure 8 for more visual interest.
I hope this helps to explain better some of what I was describing. Like I said it is VERY rough - just a sketch - with very little detail as far as sidings, etc. However the main line is there along with the branch. No elevations just arrows indicating generally where the grade begins.
Essentially the lowest point on the railroad is the main line where it passes under itself and the branch. I suggested a river there for a blockbuster scenic opportunity. However, if you didn't want the main to pass over itself you could let it cross itself at a grade with a nice interlocking tower. Add a staging track behind the town on the right and the branch on the left and you could simulate all kinds of interesting operation, suggesting two different rail lines crossing.
Add a connecting track at the crossing from one side to the other and you could simulate interchanges. If the branch line is actually a short line then voila, you've got three railroads! Add another connecting line behind the crossing (hidden) and each road could come out of staging, run through the crossing from either direction (E-W or N-S movements) and return to either staging. Loads could be shipped from the MKT to the Santa Fe via the interchange then delivered by the Mexicali Southern, based in the yard, to the distillery. You get the idea.
Anyway, if you didn't want to get all that into operations its still an interesting plan. The main for continous running and the branch for switching. Fun indeed. The creek could also be a highway, a dry wash, or concrete drainage channel and still provide an interesting scenic break between the yard and the first town on the branch.
Galen
Here's a rough sketch with a couple of the ideas I mentioned, plus a new one - making the main into an up-n-over figure 8 for more visual interest.
I hope this helps to explain better some of what I was describing. Like I said it is VERY rough - just a sketch - with very little detail as far as sidings, etc. However the main line is there along with the branch. No elevations just arrows indicating generally where the grade begins.
Essentially the lowest point on the railroad is the main line where it passes under itself and the branch. I suggested a river there for a blockbuster scenic opportunity. However, if you didn't want the main to pass over itself you could let it cross itself at a grade with a nice interlocking tower. Add a staging track behind the town on the right and the branch on the left and you could simulate all kinds of interesting operation, suggesting two different rail lines crossing.
Add a connecting track at the crossing from one side to the other and you could simulate interchanges. If the branch line is actually a short line then voila, you've got three railroads! Add another connecting line behind the crossing (hidden) and each road could come out of staging, run through the crossing from either direction (E-W or N-S movements) and return to either staging. Loads could be shipped from the MKT to the Santa Fe via the interchange then delivered by the Mexicali Southern, based in the yard, to the distillery. You get the idea.
Anyway, if you didn't want to get all that into operations its still an interesting plan. The main for continous running and the branch for switching. Fun indeed. The creek could also be a highway, a dry wash, or concrete drainage channel and still provide an interesting scenic break between the yard and the first town on the branch.
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!