Metaline Falls Railroad - The Track Plan

[@robertsiebenrock3997]

I was watching your video, and when you mentioned staging. I thought you might be interested in my suggestion of cutting a hole in your layout and running it underneath. It would give you more area and the slope would be gradual.

[@rjl110919581]

thank you for share detail video on further detail layout think try put two level staging one top and bottom under main detail plan as with further operation

[@MFRailroad]

More staging is always a great idea! Unfortunately for me, there isn't much room for the grade needed to get trains to a second level. I had considered a helix at one point, but with the number of swing gates on this thing, it would have made things awkward and ultimately just not worth it (for me anyway)

[@michaelbroshears3053]

Looks very interesting. When’s the next work session?

[@MFRailroad]

I'm hoping to get back to live work sessions within the month.

[@coxsj]

If you can stand the thought of one additional set of rails bridging the gap on the lift gate at the main entrance, consider branching the staging tracks on the lift gate, it will add a few car lengths to your staging tracks which us usually hard to come by.

[@MFRailroad]

Thats a good idea. That area of the layout is what I'm most worried about at this point because I've got to cram two switches between two curves and I don't know if I've got the space until I actually try it for real.

[@coxsj]

Looking at it a little, there's another variation that will be simpler. Put a LH turnout on the secondary line on the box canyon bridge side of the crossover on the liftout. The diverging route goes to box canyon, the straight route goes to staging and becomes the staging lead. You could also add a crossover between the mainline and the first yard track directly below the word 'Equipment' on your plan. This new crossover provides access to and from staging. By positioning it with the ladder, it wont consume any length from your first yard track. With these changes, trackage on the liftout is now a nice interlocking plant with a crossover and a connection to the secondary line. I would make this a feature with BLMA signals etc. It will make a great impression on entry to the room. Cheers Coxy

[@MFRailroad]

@@coxsj I'll keep that in mind. I don't want to foul the yard lead though. We will see how everything shakes out

[@nonameinfl]

Unfortunately the blue slide tunnel is now closed. The track washed out just before the south entrance to the tunnel. Track is still intact but deformed. Tunnel has been chained up. No idea if anybody will ever fix it as all the railroad crossings north of the tunnel say tracks out of service. I doubt trains will ever cross the Box Canyon trestle again sadly.

[@MFRailroad]

Oh man, that sucks to hear. Well, they will on my layout!

[@neilrogers1571]

Interesting plan you are in the general area of the layout I am building different time period though 50s to 1970. I am always looking for the north west locations as I live the other side of the big puddle in the UK, particularly to get an incite into the landscape of the area for my layout. Neil

[@MFRailroad]

Sorry for the late reply, but that sounds awesome! I don't live anywhere near the pacific northwest myself but I am excited for the challenge as I find that landscape to be the most dramatic in the US for model railroading.

[@HumancityJunction]

I see that you posted a comment that some minor changes were made. Is that still the case? Any major updates to the trackplan?

[@ruatrainman2]

Very cool to see someone modeling a rare railroad. I don't believe I've seen this particular road being modeled. It will be very interesting to see it come together, thank you for sharing this video with us. I also really like the track plan, it's simple but has some key elements that make it special. Box canyon will be very cool to see when done. Dave .

[@MFRailroad]

Thanks much Dave! I've only ever found one other person modeling this line so it does seem pretty rare, Box Canyon should be really great looking when done! (crossing fingers)

[@jimsmoter4510]

Nice looking track plan . I subscribed so it will be fun to watch the progress.. My advice would be a lift out gate vs a swing gate . My track plan started with a swing gate and w was finding out things were hard to line up . So I redesigned it to be a lift out and once it’s in place it hits up against a dead stop on either side and is held in place by a toggle clamp from the bottom to the bench work and when it’s clamped it pulls out any twist in the lift out section...

[@MFRailroad]

Sorry for the super-late response, but Yes, you are probably wise to go with a lift-gate instead of a swing gate. I've had problems with mine, but I am learning a lot!

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Looks like a good track plan, I think you enjoy it. Bob, Longshadows Model Tree's

[@MFRailroad]

Thank you sir!

[@georgiasunbelt]

Nice plan. Looking forward to seeing more as you progress

[@MFRailroad]

Thank you much!

[@SheltonDCruz]

How do you access your staging tracks behind the backdrop?

[@MFRailroad]

Good question. The wall in the closet is open to access the tracks there, I will also have removable scenery elements on the far right of the layout to access the back staging tracks should it be needed.

[@derekalexander4030]

I assume that you considered lower level staging. Should be a very nice layout. Subscribed and looking forward to the build. Enjoyed the benchwork video. Thanks for sharing.

[@MFRailroad]

I considered it, but I couldn't make the grade down work, so I decided to stick the staging behind the layout.

[@coxsj]

Oh and great plan btw! ;-)

[@MFRailroad]

Thanks so much!