HO scale Grand Junction RR from the February 2015 Model Railroader
Name: Grand Junction RR
Layout designer: Rolf Malmborg
Scale: HO (1:87.1)
Size: 13 x 24 feet
Prototype: Union Pacific and Southern Pacific along the former Denver & Rio Grande Western
Locale: western Colorado and eastern Utah
Era: 2006
Style: walk-in
Mainline run: 160 feet
Minimum radius: 24″
Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (industry sidings)
Maximum grade: 2 percent
Benchwork: L-girder with plywood tabletop
Height: 54″ to 59″
Roadbed: cork
Track: code 83 flextrack
Scenery: papier-mache over extruded-foam insulation board
Backdrop: tempered hardboard
Control: direct-current block control
The track plan originally appeared in the February 2015 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to download a PDF copy of this track plan.
My understanding is that staging areas are used to "set up" trains that will enter the main layout and then exit the layout. They are intended to simulate trains moving through the area portrayed by the layout. I guess it would be similar to actors/actresses being "offstage' and then moving onstage when it's time for their performance.
Love the Western flavor of this layout. I'm new to MR, what are the benefits of "lover level" staging areas?