This is pretty much the plan I have been working from lately. It is drawn with autocad R 12. This is revision # 86-- yes there are 85 other ones drawn to fit this basement. When hand spiking rail, it is very wise to know what you want BEFORE beginning. The drawback of course, is that changes are not easily made.

The mainline (green) is almost complete and some of the industrial switching (blue) has been installed. The yard (red) awaits a trip to the sawmill to acquire more basswood for roadbed as well as the completion of the ceiling (should have installed that before the layout,,, live and learn). The buildings are represented in brown. Most are drawn to scale and should fit exactly as I have drawn them. I am trying to obtain a Diamond scale turntable for the engine facility but baring that, I'll scratch build one. The roundhouse will be scratch built. The trestle is now complete and will easily handle those Wabash O-1 4-8-4s I just acquired.

The minimum mainline radius is 30" (HO) and the maximum goes to 60". I am of the belief that the wide sweeping turns tends to mask the fact that the train is turning a curve to avoid hitting the wall. That of course is just my opinion.

No commercial prefab track products (except of course the rail, ties, and spikes) are used which leaves me free to build whatever I want. Need a number 9 switch? How about a 50 degree crossing? Or maybe a track running across the frog of a turnout? No problem. As long as I can draw it, I can build it. The acquisition of a Kadee rail spiker has considerably sped the installation of the track. Still have to wait for the glue to dry though. Up until now (spring '99) I have been using Campbell ties. The outrageous price has prompted me to look elsewhere. Micro Engineering is producing just the ticket at about 60% of the price-- pre stained too.

As pics start coming back, I'll begin to post them here...

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