Hi gang

This is the Morgan Valley RR from the "48 top notch track plans" from Kalmbach. I have adapted it for C-gleis as an exercise in Raily, but I think it is quite good and would be suitable for a first, or second layout for someone who want both some shunting and continous running.


Click for larger version: http://img.photobucket.c...e69/railroads/MVRR.jpg


There are five different locations, three single spurs and two with switchback spurs as well. The switchback ones can have two (or three) industries while the single spurs will look best with only one industry each. However, some spurs can take two wagons. The passing siding is just long enough for five short wagons.

Operation on the layout starts with the train on the passing siding. Pick up some wagons on the first location (say, the switchback spurs on the extreme left). Then run the train a couple of laps, and then switch the next location, and so on. So each location is a separate town, even though they lie next to eachother on the board.

The whole layout fits on a 6x4 board, and uses only R2 and R3 curves on the loop (the inside switchback has two R1 curves) while all the points are R2, which should make switching easier. With the right side against the wall you can reach all the switches and uncoupler tracks (or buy a box of Wooden Hand Uncouplers like Purellum [:o)]) which means you don't need to run a lot of wires if you don't want to. In fact, you don't even need to go digital with this one. If you want to expand it one or both of the left side switchbacks can be connected to another layout.

Yes, it's a tight fit. If you drop the R3 curves you will have more space. As for WHU's, see the quiz section

the siding in the middle is costing 2 turnouts plus a crossing for very little utility. I would omit it and rather use the turnouts to add siding splitting of the other sidings.