James River Branch: Track Plans

Port Reading

Here's a classic little out-and-back plan set in a heavily-industrialized urban area. The double-sided backdrop expands the apparent space, while the return loop track disappears through the backdrop between/behind/under buildings. You'll spend many an evening assembling all of those industries!

Notes on operation: This layout can support one continuously-running train, plus the possibility of a switcher working the yard at the same time, assuming insulators were added where the yard meets the main, as shown in the parts plan below. DCC would make the operation of two trains much easier.

Important: This plan has a reverse loop; the center crossover must be isolated at both ends and wired properly to prevent shorts, even with DCC.

PLAN OVERVIEW
Overall size: 23" X 46"
Gridline spacing: 6"

LEGEND
Insulated joiners
Isolated reversing section
A cut track
910 "special case" switches

TUTORIALS
Working with switches
Cutting sectional track
Burying switch machines
Measuring curved track for cutting

TRACK PARTS LIST
903 R195 30º curve: 4
905 feeder: 3
906 uncoupler: 6
910 left switch: 9
911 right switch: 3
913 R220 45º curve: 8
917 220mm straight: 10

CUT TRACK PIECES
A: 902 cut to 3.7"
B: 903 cut to 28º X 2

NOTES
The 8 #902 straight sections and the 6 #912 curved sections required come with the switches.

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