It appears that different divisions judge turnouts in different ways.
How heavily detailed must my turnouts for Civil be?
Thanks!
Scott G. Perry, CPM
Response...
From Bob McIntyre, Division AP Chairman...
Technically not too much. I have had a MMR in the region tell me that if it works and is not ballasted you should still earn 87.5. However, all you need is ballast and a switch stand. I did spike every tie for more detail points. Bob
I started today working toward Civil! Yeah, me! Today I ordered the materials I'll need to begin work on my three track items. You can read about it here...
Since I'm taking heavy doses of cold medicine I'm not able to start work, but I did get my ducks in order. Got all the research done, have all the plans, have all the print outs. I reviewed the how-to videos, my own how-to deck (I taught a class in hand laying turnouts so you'd think I'd saved one or two!) and basically did all the planning that is needed. Now I just need to build them.
Shouldn't take too long. I've built tons of turnouts. The three way turnout will be the most interesting.
Exciting coverage of the On30 Okefenokee Swamp Railroad, a model train layout constructed in On30. This unusual layout is based on the prototype Hebard Cypress Company and the Waycross & Southern Railroad that occupied this large Georgia swamp in the 1920's.
Ok, I know I'm supposed to be working on Civil today, but I'm tired and I've been at the pool with my daughter all day, so I don't feel like being in the basement. A friend wanted some scans of my On30 cars, so I'll work on that tonight. I have this wonderful book...
Hidden Treasures: The Story of the Ohio River & Western Railway
By Edward H. Cass
It is an amazing book full of photos, drawings and history of a true narrow gauge wonder.
The cars that I'm modeling are mostly from this book and the drawings have for a large part been published in the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette.
I just need to collect the drawings that I'm using and get my data in order.
Speaking of Civil, let's get started. First thing I'd like to do is to pre-qualify my track plan. There will still be some tweaks to it, I'm sure, but for the most part it is done.
Quick note about the layout. It is a cotton hauling Southern railroad in 1945, hurt by weevils and competition from abroad, a small fictional shortline moves cotton from the farm, to the gin, to the knitting mill and finally to the dock. The design is for a transportable demonstration/training layout for giving clinics and taking to train shows. It is lightweight and designed with four distinct circular sections. Each section is visually isolated by backdrops and side panels. Each season of the year is shown; spring, summer, fall and winter. The time of the day rotates around the layout; dawn, morning, afternoon, and dusk. It is also a water demonstration layout containing a stream, creek, waterfall, river, lake and ocean. Read more on the Dixie Central Blog.
1. Prepare one original scale drawing of a model railroad track plan, identifying overall size, scale, track elevations, curve radii, and turnout sizes.
This plan must include:
1. Adequate terminal facilities for handling freight and/or passenger cars
2. Adequate terminal facilities for storage and service of motive power
3. A minimum of one mainline passing siding
4. Four switching locations, not counting yards, interchanges, wyes, and reversing loops
5. Provision for turning motive power (except for switchbacks, trolley lines, etc.)
6. Provision for simultaneous operation of at least two mainline trains in either direction.
#
Description
Pre Qualify
Status
0
Prepare one original scale drawing of a model railroad track plan, identifying overall size, scale, track elevations, curve radii, and turnout sizes.
90%
1
Adequate terminal facilities for handling freight and/or passenger cars
Done
2
Adequate terminal facilities for storage and service of motive power
Done
3
A minimum of one mainline passing siding
Done
4
Four switching locations, not counting yards, interchanges, wyes, and reversing loops
Done
5
Provision for turning motive power (except for switchbacks, trolley lines, etc.)
Done
6
Provision for simultaneous operation of at least two mainline trains in either direction
Done
#0. The track is missing curve radii which I won't put in until I finish the trackwork as they may move a bit. Size is included, as is scale, elevations and turnout sizes. The drawing is in CAD and different layers can be turned on or off. The electrical system is a separate layer and is turned off.
#1. There is no passenger traffic, but there certainly is freight. The town of Martinez has a three track yard for sorting cars, along with a yard lead which doubles for the passing siding.
#2. The railroad has two small locomotives and both will share the siding at the service facility. This is a DCC layout so no need for power blocks on this track. Water, coal, oil and sand will be available, as will maintenance from the nearby workshop.
#3. There is a passing siding in Martinez that doubles as the yard lead.
#4. There are four switching locations (industries) on the line; The cotton/sand loading ramp in Toccoa, the cotton gin in Elberton, the pier at Tybee and the knitting mill in Martinez.
#5. For turning motive power we have a turntable at the engine servicing track.
#6. Provision for running two trains simultaneously is provided by Digitrax DCC.
