N SCALE LAYOUT UPDATE: Track Planning & Track Laying

Follow along as I continue the build of my N scale model railroad. In this episode I finish off with the track planning and show you the track I have laid, along with a limitation I have found with the AnyRail track planning software.
Be sure to view my Facebook page, / chicagosubnscale as I will be adding photos and updates to that as I build my new layout.
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[@chipset2900]

Around Union Station in Chicago , they used double-slip crossovers. You could check with Fast Tracks if you felt like hand laying those.

[@peter_borcherds]

I already have the required fixtures from FastTracks (bought them years ago), but not sure if I’ll use them as I’m using Peco track and it’s not easy matching that up with the Micro Engineering rail required for the FastTracks fixtures. Not writing it off though as I’d love to use handlaid turnouts

[@davidmcrae5183]

One advantage of the short sections of flex in between turnouts: you have an extra place to add feeder wires without having to solder onto the turnouts or relying on just the rail joiners for electrical continuity.

[@peter_borcherds]

Very true, especially if I need to remove turnouts at any stage. In fact, I did have to replace one as one of the point rails came loose. I just slid the joiners back onto the short section and slid the turnout out, no need to unsolder any wires (it was before I had connected the frog wire underneath)

[@Howie2025]

Definitely a plus to use track planning software and be able to print out a full size template to aide track laying and switch machine installation. I would consider switching the yards to bring the BNSF yard to the forefront and Metra to the rear. Mainly because the BNSF trains will require more handling/ uncoupling etc than Metra trains.

[@peter_borcherds]

Full size template has been so useful! Especially for making sure everything fits. As for the yards, my yard width is only 18” so easy access to all the tracks. The only uncoupling / handling on the BNSF tracks will be the locos when a train comes in. Just need to uncouple to locos and switch them over to the other end of the train. This yard is purely staging, so the same trains go back out and are then switched on the yard of the first level.

[@thomasboese3793]

3:47 Track plan - one Left and one Right turnout's control box area does overlap. Odd that no error is given. I use Atlas code 55 and the control bars "are" made to be removed from one side depending on the location and how it is used. 5:41 I have not used this brand of track, however, to me it "LOOKS" like you can throw the turnouts so the points are towards the center of the interference and then cut the "area" past the ends of the ties off on both turnouts. This will allow you to lay track as shown on the plan.

[@peter_borcherds]

Hi Thomas. Yes, no error given. Yes, I could remove the bars, but it was easier to just put in an extra bit of rail. The rail is press-fit into the control bars, and can come out easily if pushed, so I’d rather not touch the control bars - I’ve ruined too many turnouts in the past removing control bars. 5:41 - yes, agree, I could possibly have done this, but again, easier just to add the extra track, and again for the reason above.

[@JamesFreed]

Did you consider a transfer table to let your locos escape? It might gain you a few feet of yard length and save quite a few turnouts at the cost of some engineering. It looks like a great staging yard!

[@peter_borcherds]

I didn’t think of using one of those...that is a great idea! I don’t really need the extra length, but anything to save having to add more turnouts would be great - I’ll have a look into it! Thanks for the idea!

[@peter_borcherds]

James, just had a quick look - Walthers have Trix version, but it is $419! The Marklin version is HO only unfortunately. I could buy a lot of turnouts for that price...I’ll keep looking, but they aren’t cheap

[@jamesbraxton6132]

I would buy some Atlas set track short pieces in stead of trying to cut flex track

[@peter_borcherds]

It’s really easy to cut flex, but another reason is I use Peco code 55, and that does not match easily with Atlas code 55 (Peco code 55 is actually code 80 sunk into the ties)

[@Conrail-gc6yq]

Any work on the upper deck trackplan?

[@peter_borcherds]

Unfortunately not yet. I’ve been concentrating on the lower staging. However will begin planning on the next deck soon - not calling it the ‘upper’ deck as I might have another deck on top of that at some stage, so just calling it the ‘main’ deck for now. However I can say that there will be a yard above the lower staging, where the track comes out of the helix onto the ‘main’ deck. This will be Western Avenue yard, and will be a classification yard with a small loco facility. This yard feeds into interchange with NS and CN, and also provides trains for local switching

[@dodo1opps]

You know Kevin Marks will be upset you didn't build your turnouts with FastTrack.

[@peter_borcherds]

Ha ha! He’s welcome to build all my yard turnouts...in N scale! I might use FastTracks for my mainline turnouts, but not the yard ones. I use Peco flex track and it’s a pain to match that up with Micro Engineering track (used for FastTracks)...don’t mind doing it for the mainline turnouts but not for every single yard turnout 😀😀