How I designed the track plan for La Junta Yard, Colorado and why - K&W Model Railroad Design Series

[@lucgagnon5241]

A straight laid yard... with Micro engineering tracks... We already have a winner here.

[@KandWRailroader]

Thank you for the compliment! However, I cheated...I used a 48" steel construction ruler.

[@lucgagnon5241]

@KandWRailroader Well in that case I'm cheating too !

[@PondersEndModelRailway]

amazing,

[@KandWRailroader]

@@PondersEndModelRailway Thank you for the compliment!

[@MRR_Shadowolf]

Well thought out and laid out! Took some notes for my use as finalize yard area on my layout.

[@KandWRailroader]

@@MRR_Shadowolf Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful to you.

[@Patrick-xp8bb]

This gives me inspiration to make my layout more operational.

[@KandWRailroader]

@@Patrick-xp8bb It all depends on what you want to do with your trains and why you're building a layout in the first place. Good luck!

[@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896]

looks good very nice my Friend.😊😊👍👍

[@KandWRailroader]

@@cncpgreatlakesdiv4896 Thank you!

[@admiralseabass8993]

good video and answered some questions I had about your yard design. love the leads at both end. honestly I would extend that longest lead as long as you can get it - your yard operators will thank you!

[@KandWRailroader]

I'm glad the video was helpful! I've gone back and forth about extending that longest lead but decided not to because I didn't want to extend it into the Lamar scene. I want to obscure the main line with trees in that corner to help create a viewblock between scenes and doing so would make it hard to see either a turnout alignment or end-of-track for the switcher. It's a compromise that may be annoying at times, but not all the time. It will just take a little extra planning on the part of the switch crew.

[@johnbanicki7232]

Very nice and well thought out yard. Thanks for sharing.

[@KandWRailroader]

@@johnbanicki7232 Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@fentoncentral-model-railway]

Good design with lots of switching potential 👍

[@KandWRailroader]

@@fentoncentral-model-railway Thank you!

[@SB5SimulationsFerroviairesEEP]

Merci du partage! Stéph.

[@KandWRailroader]

Je vous en prie!

[@jasonweir6345]

My main yard I skewed the ladders so each track is the same length. I used Peco mediums for the mist part, a few smalls mixed in. I model a fictional regional shortline so "mainline" action isn't quite so important lol, and I use all tracks as yard tracks including the "main", but it is a flexible arrangement that works. I like what you're doing here. Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

[@KandWRailroader]

@@jasonweir6345 Sounds like you've done what works for you! One of my staging yards is like that because it was easier to resolve the approach curves from the main line.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

great vlog lot great work comeon channel keep up the great vlogs thanks lee

[@KandWRailroader]

@@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204 Thank you Lee! Will do!

[@Wolfe351]

On my modular layout I am limited in space for my main yard, but if I have to move I have already designed some alterations with an additional module for the yard if I get more space!! (and a spacer module for the opposite side of the layout so it all fits together) It actually looks very similar to your yard!!

[@KandWRailroader]

@@Wolfe351 That's a great idea! You can't hardly go wrong building your layout as a module system.

[@donaldkormos5529]

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas ... safe Happy Holidays ... and a great Happy New Year!! Quick question that you may have answered someplace: Do you use cork under your track only for mainlines? Noticed that yard track doesn't have any cork. My guess it's for cost savings. Is it easy to make transitions? All the best ...

[@KandWRailroader]

@@donaldkormos5529 You are right, I only use cork primarily for the main lines but also in other places where grade changes would have been tricky or to match the prototype. For me, the key to grade changes is making sure that they aren't so abrupt that they cause your cars to uncouple. This can be achieved by simply testing your grade change with multiple different car length combinations. I use different thicknesses of cork or none at all to replicate the look of prototype trackage depending on its location. I hope this helps.

[@GLENNHOOVER-h6l]

Looks like a well though out yard plan! How Tall is your benchwork on the lower level and the upper level?

[@KandWRailroader]

@@GLENNHOOVER-h6l The top of the foam for the lower level is 35", the top of the foam for the upper level is 55". I'm 6'3" tall and the top level is about 3" to 4" below my armpit. I should have mentioned that in the video.

[@majortomtogc]

Nice! What is the length of the wall and depth of this area?

[@KandWRailroader]

@@majortomtogc The length of the wall is about 18 feet and the width starts at 24" at the engine servicing end and reduces down to about 20" in the aisle.

[@majortomtogc]

@@KandWRailroader Thank you.