Hi all,
I am planning an extension of my layout to include a small diesel maintenance / servicing facility. It spurs off the ladder of my main yard* and it includes 4-5 parallel tracks. The plan is that 3 tracks end up inside a walthers diesel shop which i have ordered, while 1-2 tracks are left in the open.
The 3 tracks inside the shop hold 6 engines in total, while outside the shop I got space for spotting another 5-7 locomotives (1 in track #1, 2-3 in track #2 and 2-3 in track #3.) I plan to have 1-2 sanding towers and fueling/water/oil pads in between track #2 and #3.
Track #4 would act as some sort of ready track (capacity 5-6 locomotives). Track #5 if added will result in less usable length for track 4 (due to the turnout added) and thus boost locomotive capacity in both tracks to 8 locomotives.
The idea is that the shop performs inspection and light /medium maintenance (as described in the walthers' instructions) and possibly holds some helper locomotives available for use.
Do i need more than one track in the open to act as a ready track? Trying for a less is more approach that avoids unrealistic spaghetti bowls so i am between 3+1 and 3+2 track options (3 corresponds to the 3 tracks that lead inside the diesel shop). Feel free to even propose 3+0 .
With respect to operations in the facility, I got loads of questions unfortunately... but i am waiting for a relevant book “guide to locomotive servicing terminals” to arrive to shed some light first. Up until then though I am wondering if a locomotive after being inspected/repaired inside the diesel shop, and after being topped up with fuel/sand, should it definitely move to ready track(s) or it could stay on the service pad outside the shop and depart from there when needed? (the latter would result in less needed capacity from my ready tracks).
Thank you very much for your time!
Yannis
*Many thanks for the eye-opening insights previously provided by Iron Horseman. These insights helped me manage to extend the yard lead so that I can “free” road locomotives in order to go to the service area and make my yard operate more efficiently.
PS. Having studied the topic for the last few weeks, I understand that many similar facilities are double ended so there is a linear service pattern, but unfortunately i only got room for single ended engine yard/facility.
I am planning an extension of my layout to include a small diesel maintenance / servicing facility. It spurs off the ladder of my main yard* and it includes 4-5 parallel tracks. The plan is that 3 tracks end up inside a walthers diesel shop which i have ordered, while 1-2 tracks are left in the open.
The 3 tracks inside the shop hold 6 engines in total, while outside the shop I got space for spotting another 5-7 locomotives (1 in track #1, 2-3 in track #2 and 2-3 in track #3.) I plan to have 1-2 sanding towers and fueling/water/oil pads in between track #2 and #3.
Track #4 would act as some sort of ready track (capacity 5-6 locomotives). Track #5 if added will result in less usable length for track 4 (due to the turnout added) and thus boost locomotive capacity in both tracks to 8 locomotives.
The idea is that the shop performs inspection and light /medium maintenance (as described in the walthers' instructions) and possibly holds some helper locomotives available for use.
Do i need more than one track in the open to act as a ready track? Trying for a less is more approach that avoids unrealistic spaghetti bowls so i am between 3+1 and 3+2 track options (3 corresponds to the 3 tracks that lead inside the diesel shop). Feel free to even propose 3+0 .
With respect to operations in the facility, I got loads of questions unfortunately... but i am waiting for a relevant book “guide to locomotive servicing terminals” to arrive to shed some light first. Up until then though I am wondering if a locomotive after being inspected/repaired inside the diesel shop, and after being topped up with fuel/sand, should it definitely move to ready track(s) or it could stay on the service pad outside the shop and depart from there when needed? (the latter would result in less needed capacity from my ready tracks).
Thank you very much for your time!
Yannis
*Many thanks for the eye-opening insights previously provided by Iron Horseman. These insights helped me manage to extend the yard lead so that I can “free” road locomotives in order to go to the service area and make my yard operate more efficiently.
PS. Having studied the topic for the last few weeks, I understand that many similar facilities are double ended so there is a linear service pattern, but unfortunately i only got room for single ended engine yard/facility.
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