James River Branch: Track Plans

Centralia & Western

Here's a classic spaghetti bowl plan for folks who enjoy their model railroads with marinara sauce and freshly-grated cheese, but don't have a lot of room. It offers the versatility of having an elevated branchline for the effect of multiple levels, or it can instead be built completely flat by omitting the bridge at the end of the branchline switchback.

Notes on operation: Two trains can be run simultaneously, with both doing laps or one running while the other is working either the yard or branchline. In addition to the four feeders shown, insulators are needed at each of the two crossovers for two-train operation, as shown in the parts plan below; in addition, insulators at the end of the branchline and the yard throat enhance operating options. However, DCC would simplify two-train operation and do away with the need for insulators and multiple feeders.

PLAN OVERVIEW
Overall size: 24" X 50"
Gridline spacing: 6"

LEGEND
Insulated joiners
A cut track
910 "special case" switches

Elevation in inches

TUTORIALS
Working with switches
Cutting sectional track
Burying switch machines

TRACK PARTS LIST
903 R195 30º curve: 1
904 R195 45º curve: 12
905 feeder: 4
906 uncoupler: 7
910 left switch: 6
911 right switch: 9
912 R490 13º curve: 3*
913 R220 45º curve: 8
917 220mm straight: 16
950/951 bridge: 1

CUT TRACK PIECES
A: 917 cut to 7.75" X 2
B: 917 cut to 4.8" X 2

NOTES
*The 8 #902 straight sections and 15 of the 18 #912 curved sections required come with the switches.

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