Track plan and operation.
Since the left hand end of the station (as viewed below) is no longer constrained by fitting into 13 feet long room, it will be opened out which should allow
for a less cramped and more pleasing design.
The layout is DCC controlled for rolling stock. The points are operated by a series of switches on the top side of the plans. Lights will also be operated by
manual switches in the same way. This allows for some physical feel of using the track, and makes the DCC operation of the rolling stock easier to
concentrate on.
Taking away the curved left end, will allow the main line to be set evenly spaced throughout the station. it will also allow the shed section to have its operation
separated from the passenger sections. The goods section remains as a separate operation, with a local passenger service operating from the
bay platform next to the good line.
For operation the layout can be split into three sections, with two being operated by one person and the other by another. As the passenger has a fast
through section, and four platforms to operate this would be one operator. The shed and goods, together with the local passenger service could be
operated by one or two operators. Slow goods trains, mostly coal, could regularly be sent around the two through goods lines. The far left head shunt
in the shed area will probably be used by the station pilot, and might be changed to the passenger operator.
Platforms are to be numbered 1-5 from the top of the plan to bottom. 1 & 2, bay platforms, 3 Northerly off the main line, 4 Southerly off the mainline, and
5 a bay running Northerly to either the goods/local traffic line, or the northerly main line. The turntable is at the South end of the station, the tunnel entrance
under the warehouses is to the North.
With loco movements around the shed, and four through lines, as well as the various bays in the station, this should make for a layout where there
is always some action to be seen by viewers.
It may be worth adding a cross from the top through passenger line at the very left edge to allow passenger trains platform 1 to run South on the left of main line.
A cross over to the goods line could be added away to the left too. Not sure if the two catch points are needed as well as the points next to the just below the
turntable.
The platfroms are a little thinner than actually on the layout, there will be space for buildings on them which are not shown at the moment.
