Layout 3 - Design Goals

General

• Must be constructed in a modular fashion to facilitate a relocation some day.

Tracks

• Märklin K-track system
• Double-track main section with access to a hidden switchyard from both directions.
• One-track Mountain railway with a moutain station.
• Switchyard
  • Must include a ferry port for the ferry from layout 2.
  • Must include a turntable (Märklin 7286). It must also support the Märklin Big-Boy in the drive through position.
  • Should include a sliding table (Märklin7294) if possible.
  • Must include a coal yard.
• Overhead catenary on all tracks except the switchyard.
• Hidden switchyard(s) with automatic track selection.
• 11 cm between each level. 10 cm clearance and 1 cm for the plate.

Main station

• Two drive through tracks, i.e. one for each direction.
• Double track entries and exits. This will enable many combinations of multiple trains entering and leaving the station simultaneously.
• Direct access track(s) to the switchyard.

Landscape

• Deep canyon crossed by larger bridge(s).
• Car tunnel passing under the main station.

Electrical

• Märklin Digital compatible.
• Märklin c90 compatible stop zones.
• Should include a single-board computer to control all signals plus the automatic track selection on the hidden switchyard(s). I am considering to use the PHYTEC miniMODUL as the platform. A PC could also do the job but just I don't fancy the idea of having to booting it whenever I want to play.
• For each hidden switchyard a red lamp must light up when all tracks are occupied.

Signals

• Light signals at all stop zones.
• Signals at station/switchyard stop zones must be accessible from a keyboard.
• Computer controlled block signals and entry signals based on occupied track detectors and the current switch configuration. These signals need not be accessible from a keyboard.
• Computer controlled HP0/HP2 setting based on the current switch configuration.

Roads

• Major roads must support moving cars from the Faller Car-System.
• Must include at least one traffic light where the cars will stop at a red light.
• Must include at least one level crossing where the cars will stop when the bars are down.