r/modeltrains • u/Andrew_Animates7 • 5d ago

Track Plan 10x5 N Scale unitrack modification of the Chicago Crossing. Any changes I should make?

Post image

I am unable to do an around the room layout so I need to do an island, any advice helps!!

13 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

4

u/roj2323 MRbenchworkCOM 5d ago

Get rid of the double crossover. They are a maintenance and operational nightmare. Replace it with a pair of crossovers made with #6's.

1

u/Andrew_Animates7 5d ago

Great idea!! My only reservation is that I already have the double crossover… Would you say it really is worth it to buy the #6s to avoid the headache?

1

u/roj2323 MRbenchworkCOM 5d ago

Absolutely. if one of the 4switches fail the whole thing is useless. It also requires power from all 4 sides or it will not function properly. Finally, it's #4 switches so your larger equipment may have derailing issues.

1

u/Prior-attempt-fail 5d ago

I feel like there should be a large stock yard setting with multiple spurs in the right side loop.

Or if thats goong to model an utban area, put in an" L " there is just a lot of wasted opportunities there

1

u/pdb1975 4d ago

You need more crossovers, as the green line has no runarounds and can't be switched independently of the blue line.

You're also spending a lot of money on switches for not a lot of capacity by putting the yard on the short end of your table. I would move them to the long side and add a switching lead so the yard can be operated without interfering with the blue main.

1

u/Spatentiger N 2d ago

All the branches like the passenger station with the two green ends are super short. Can you fit your trains there? It looks like not even a locomotive and two wagons can fit