The Grizzly & Dilapidated Ry.

[Mr. Critter]

I love the Witch Hat station!

[tom.boyd.125]

 Kyle, prior to retirement we lived in McKinney Texas from 2000-2011. Always visited Discount Hobbies in Addison TX and attended the Plano Train Shows / open house layout tours every year. Neat set up you have. Thanks for the photos and welcome to this Forum so have fun !  Tommy

[kyle creel]

I'm going to add a 'Sector Plate' to the corner of the last section to be built.  It will allow for a different look at that end of the G&D Ry.  I've designed it to function as a locomotive turning device.  The photo below shows the operation. The locomotive pulls onto the sector plate bridge (green arrow); is rotated (red arrow) 90 degrees; backs off the bridge (yellow arrow); pulls forward and makes a 90 degree turn to the left (blue arrow) via the turnout, thus completing a 180 degree turn.  I think it'll be much more interesting. I already have a TT at Grizzly; and there's not enough room for a WYE, so instead of doing the obvious-a TT- I like the idea of something different at this end of the G&D Ry.

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Here's a diagram...................


Thoughts anyone???

[kyle creel]

I almost forgot here's an "updated" trackplan showing the Sector Plate at the end of the line in Dilapidated. There are also some subtle changes at Peau Dunque Jct.............

KYLR CREEL
G&D Ry.

[deemery]

Kyle, have you considered the "cassette" idea used in some UK layouts, where there's a track with a removable section?  The idea is to have several 'cassettes' that fit into that section, where you move a train into the cassette, remove the cassett and replace it with a cassette with another train, ready to run.)

dave

[kyle creel]

Thanx for the response Dave; Yes-I considered it. But since I only need to turn a locomotive, and not change out an entire train-The best solutions were...........

1. leave the plan as it is with a TT at the end just like Grizzly.
2. take up ALOT of real estate (which I don't have) and build a WYE.
3. figure out some way to turn a locomotive 180 degrees in the available space WITHOUT A TT.

So, I decided that since I have just enough rolling stock - (passenger and freight) to fill all my sidings and yard with no leftovers to 'stash somewhere'- and I'm not buying anymore (I'm not a collector); a way to turn the locomotive at Dilapidated that didn't require 'hooking stuff up', or transfering stuff from 'hither and yon'
trying not to 'spill' it, was required.  The 'sector plate' idea came to me while I was trying to take a nap.  I didn't know if such a device existed or what it was called, so I called it a "locomotive shifter" till a fellow named Mark on the RRL forum filled me in about what it's called, and then Larry C. informed me about a website where I could find information about mini and micro layouts that use these types of devices, I then looked up the thing and found it in actual real life use.
So I checked it out and decided that it is the way forward for me.  I'm actually looking forward to building it so much that I may start on it before I even build the section where it will be located.

Thanx again............
KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.   

[deemery]

Fair enough!  Glad to read your reasoning behind these kinds of decisions.

dave