Track-plan version 10 : The Valley before Silicum

Evolution
This plan is "evolved" ..... (Well, I hear you... oh, no! Again! ).

Yes, but this is the "final" version for sure: At the end, I'm start to cut the benchwork!
If you like it, you can follow the "hard work" step by step on this parallel Blog:

http://valleybeforesilicon.blogspot.com/

I want to separate the description in the more appropriate form of a "diary"
and will reserve this site for more generic modeling arguments.

Why last modifications?

Discussing with friends (far and near) was clear that many defects are still there and must be cured.
- Mainline was too short for the planned stops.
- China basin freight yard was very cramped, feel very undersized and have no yard lead to switch
- the branch line from San Josè to Santa Cruz seams too much on the relative narrow landscape.
- Having 3 roundhouse ( and relative TT’s) along the plan seams again too much.
- Some big industries (Del Monte at SJ for example) are modelled in narrow land.
- Some “aerial point of view” revealed “”unexpected“ subjects on the background……
- in general the central peninsula takes to limited space around the aisles for the humans!

Suggestions runs from “unconnected double deck” ( Los Gatos- Santa Cruz above and the peninsula/SJ area below. .....maybe in the future?) to an average simplification of the design.
So, I take my courage at hand , and …. start a redraw of the plan in an effort to cure these problems.
Here is my result ( Ok, just a preliminary sketch, but details will come shorter! )

A section of the Southern Pacific main Coast Line from San Francisco to San Jose..... is still there!
3rd & Towsend passenger stub is the end of the line, Mission Bay turntable and roundhouse are mantained., but China Basin .... disappear.
The Vasona branch line to Los Altos and the Permanente cement plant .... replaced the Santa Cruz.branch

Layout Data

On the drawing , consider :

   * N scale , one grid square is 10 cm = 4 inch
   * Main Line uses Microengineering code 55 flex
   * Branch line uses Microengineering code 40 flex

Curve Radius:

   * Minimum Radius on Main line ( internal track) is 56 cm ( 22")
   * Minimum Radius on branch line is 44 cm ( 17" 1/2 ) 

Line length (not including yards, stub and spurs):

   * Double track main line length : 19,50m ( not counting 3rd&Towsend, Santa Clara & Staging)
   * Single track branch line length :5,50m (from Menlo Park to Permanente)

Yard capacity:

   * Longest track on 3rd & Townsend : 130 cm (55“)= 10x60' commutes or 8x80'
   * Longest track on Santa Clara commute yard : 150 (59“) 

   * Longest track in 3rd & Townsend freight yard : 120 cm (47“ ¼) = 14x40' box cars
   * Longest track in San Jose freight yard : 120 cm (47“ ¼) 

Turnouts specs:

   * Turnouts references are for FastTrack turnouts I plan to use:
   * SF Passenger stub , Santa Clara uses 
     #6 turnouts, #8 double slip and #8 curved 24-18 (internal-external radius in inches)


This figures takes to a "running" train length of: 

   * Commute line: 5 to 7 60' cars and loco / 4-6 80' and loco
   * Main line freigths: 10-12 40' cars + caboose + loco
   * Branch line passengers: 4-5 cars and a loco
   * Branch line freigths: 7-8 40' car + caboose + loco 

N scale shortcuts: to image trains length , use this shortcut:

   * 100 cm = (10 x 40’ box cars + a Mikado) or (6x 60’+ a Pacific) or (4x 80’ car + a GS4) 

N Scale car length:

   * 40’ box car = 7,6cm ( 3” )
   * 60’ commute = 11,3cm ( 4” 1/2 )
   * 72’ passenger = 13,8cm (5” 1/2)
   * 80’ smothside streamliner = 15,3cm (6”)

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