The Turning Point – Part 5: Rocky, the Big 10 and Clay Revised

The original configuration of Rocky Siding, the Big 10 Curves and Clay were close, but not quite satisfactory in the prior plan. These features were placed along the top wall in the original plan, in a configuration like this.

Original Layout Plan for Rocky-Big 10-Clay LDEs.

The new plan is a very similar footprint. However, with the changes in the shape of the peninsulas, the lobe with the Big 10 Curves could be extended, and a small bulge was introduced along the long wall which corresponds to the gap between the two peninsulas in the room. I relocated Rocky a little to the right, and Clay further around the Big 10 curves. This now puts nearly 17 feet of track between the west switch of Rocky and the east switch of Clay, which should be longer than my longest train. So, that problem was solved. This also allowed for a little more elevation to be gained between the two decks. Railhead to railhead clearance is nearly 7 inches, and the upper deck will be located more to the rear of the layout, while I was able to use the bump out to push the lower deck closer to the front. So, even with a relatively narrow perspective on the lower deck, the effect should not be like looking into a deep cave. Generally, I think that the configuration works much better.

Revised Layout Plan for the Rocky-Big 10-Clay LDEs.

I particularly think that the representation of the Big 10 curves is better. Granted, the west switch of Rocky is not in the Little 10 curve as it is properly, and the east switch of Rocky now falls to the east of the Highway 93 bridge, rather than to the west, but I think both are reasonable compromises. I could look at relocating the Highway 93 bridge closer to the entrance to the Rocky Flats helix, but I am not sure I want to do that either at this point. The next question is really how will this new configuration affect the second deck, and is the deck separation really improved? Right now, the point where the junction switch is for the Rocky Flats Branch is at 12.25" above the reference point ( which is Prospect Junction at 0"), and the west switch of Clay is at 19". Considering the deck to deck effective distances will need to be done with the rest of the second deck in place.

25 Days, 25 Posts to go!

Cameron Turner