Downloadable Track Plan

Someone requested that I make my original track plan available for download, so here it is.  You'll need the Atlas Right Track software to open it.

Click HERE for the track plan.

Click HERE for the Atlas software.

Track fitting completed

All track has been cut to size and test-fitted on the shelf. Tomorrow I'll remove it all, fill the gaps in the foam surface, paint it brown, and then start gluing down the cork roadbed.

From DMIR Hill City

From DMIR Hill City

Tracklaying has begun

Tonight I started laying out the track plan on the shelf, temporarily pinning it in place for test-fitting.  With most of the mainline in place, I couldn't resist a test run...

Final trackplan

After seeing problems with even the 22" curves on the last plan, I started with a clean slate.  This latest track plan has minimal curves on the mainline, with no curves anywhere less than 24" radius.  Most of the curves are far beyond that.  The 2-10-2 handles 24" just fine.

Barring any further issues, this is the track plan that I'll be using, hopefully starting to lay track this coming weekend.  Staging will be done using a portable cassette on the left end (to/from Duluth), and on the interchange to Great Northern on the right end (to/from Grand Rapids).  I won't be able to turn the loco, so it will make the return trip to Duluth backwards.  Should be a fun layout to operate!

New plan, wider curves

No curve radius less than 22", and I even opened up more switching room, and room for additional spot points. Off-layout "staging" will be done with a removable "cassette", onto which the train will be run, then the entire cassette will be turned 180 degrees, in effect turning the train around for its return voyage.  This will occur at both ends of the layout, where the track meets the edge.

Minor setback

Don't believe everything that you read on the Internet.  I knew this, but did it anyway.  Bachmann recommends a minimum curve radius of 22" for the 2-10-2, but I found some forum posts online claiming that it runs fine with 18" curves.  It doesn't.

I started laying out track today, following my track plan, and on the first test run through the first curve - boom, the locomotive derailed.  Tried it in reverse - boom, the tender derailed.  I moved the tender drawbar to the furthest position - no difference in either direction.  Soooo, I'm revising the track plan to eliminate the 18" curves on the "ends" of the layout.  Couple of ideas in mind, just need to make them fit on the shelf.

The track plan, major industries

The four major "industries" are shown, as well as the final track layout.  Additional features not yet shown will include the log pond for the sawmill and Woodenware factory, assorted shops and town buildings, and thick pine forests along the back (top of image) side of the shelf.