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From: "Tupaczewski, Paul R \(Paul\)" paultup AT alcatel-lucent DOT com
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:15:58 -0500
Subject: RE: (erielack) track plan advice?
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Brad Butcher wrote:


> I have read John Armstrongs book on track planning and I was
> thinking of his advice on avoiding S curves and such. Like
> giving a switch a straight lead the length of the longest car
> on your layout so couplers don't bind up or cause
> derailments. Now the question that came up to me. I also read
> some advice about saving layout space/length by using a
> compound yard ladder, now does this cause any similar
> problems? Because rather then a free flowing ladder it's a
> tad sharper and almost bends in on itself if you know what I
> mean........

Yes, compound yard ladders do cause reverse curves and such, but if your
switches are long enough (#6 or greater), it shouldn't be too big a
problem. I've quickly sketched up a pseudo-compound ladder using #6
turnouts and I've placed a string of 89' piggyback flats on them. I've
moved the cars to the "worst possible scenario" in terms of car
end-to-end mismatch, and most equipment should be able to handle this -
barely, but it should.

A straight ladder (non-compound) is better, especially if you're running
long equipment, but the best ladder - if the orientation will fit your
plan, is to have a curved ladder - this way, you'll never have a reverse
curve in the mix to mess up your movements.

- Paul

P.S. I do, however, find it rather funny how modelers go berzerk trying
to keep couplers lined up and equipment from derailing. Why not follow
the prototype, who has scores of derailments in their yards, very
slow-speed running, and coupler mismatches occur often (that's why
crewmembers can often be seen aligning couplers so they'll couple)





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