Project 2009_2 - Improvements to yard throat

This is how the area looked prior to the changes:

The project was initiated to solve several problems:

Going South the passenger station had access to only the Northbound mainline, making it against rules to enter the mainline via that route.
The feeder line has an "S" curve as a result of turning to be perpendicular to the station tracks.
The southernmost leader is in the way of a planned 130 foot turntable and roundhouse.
The freight yard also is restricted to entry from the Northbound mainline from the South.
The yard leader needs to extend into the new turntable area and be accessable from both yards

And so this plan was drawn up.

The feeder track is angled to eliminate "S" curves and crosses both the yard leader and Northbound mainline tracks with double slip switches. The southernmost leader also gets repositioned out of the turntable and roundhouse area. This plan also shows a possible configuration to extend the intermodal area.

Some test fittings (plans are nice, but not always correct). Note the initial use of a 3-way as the switch into the southernmost leader. The left track was to go to a maintenance area in the space between the feeder and the frieght yard ladder. That was scrapped as no buildings in our "closet" would fit.

Laying down the key element, the southernmost leader. All other tracks pieces are referenced to this section as it determines the location of the switch plant onto the mainline. Notice the after-image on the wood of the old track and how much room it now gives to the turntable and roundhouse area.

Laying down the switch plant onto the mainline and extended yard leader.

Relocating and sighting the feeder. It was very important that it meet the North end precisely to avoid a kinky turn.

This kink had to be removed by tearing up the track beyond and moving the switch slightly.

An unexpected problem - the engines on the RDC's strike the switch motor when going through the curved section closest to the motor. This was later remedied by removing the switch motors (which did not work well with our switch controller) and using under-table Tortoise^tm motors.

Shots of the track pieces and track being laid down.

Finished!

One last look at the shadow of the old track in the 130 foot turntable and roundhouse area.