The WLE Track Plan
This material is a supplement to the Westphalian-Eisenbahn GmbH (WLE) article and track plan in the January | February 2013 issue of Ztrack Magazine.
Recently I was talking with Rob Kluz of Ztrack Magazine about a railroad webcam in Germany featuring a crossing on the Westphalian-Eisenbahn GmbH (WLE) in Lippstadt, Germany. Rob decided to write an article on this scene and asked me if I’d work up a track plan using Rokuhan track from a quick sketch he sent while we were on the phone. Sure, I’m always up for a new Z scale article!
The layout was to be 5’ x 2’ with a scenic divider right down the center. A few webcam shots were sent to me along with suggestions for industries on the front and back of the layout. When I draw up track plans, I tend to think in very board terms regarding the scenery so there’s plenty of space here for interpretation. Let’s start by having a look at the area using Google Earth.
The front of the layout depicts the three track lines running through the heart of the town of Lippstadt, and the grade crossing really is a centerpiece here. This crossing is also focus of the online webcam. Using Google Earth, we see that just west of this grade crossing there are lots of industrial tracks and we wanted to bring this feel of complexity to the plan. Essentially, we shifted much of this track work east a bit into the center of town.
The main industry on the front of the layout is the local brewhouse; this backs up against the scenic divider on the far right side. The rest of the front-side of the layout is a mix of residential and business structures with paved two lane roads running east to west and north to south. This visual division is representative of the actual town and gives you lots of urban scene possibilities.
The back of the layout is decidedly rural and features a quarry area as well as additional brewery buildings. These additional brewery buildings are a nice tie-in to the front of the layout while having on the outskirts of town feel to it. Check out the Ztrack article for specific structure placement suggestions.
An interesting choice in track is the Rokuhan curved turnout, Rokuhan R026. This has curved radii of 195mm and 220mm. The 195mm leg of the turnout is part of the main loop of the plan, which should be fine for most European Z scale locomotives.
January | February 2013 Issue
From the overhead Google Earth shots there appears to be a mix of older wood tie track and newer concrete tie track. This old and new look can be simulated by incorporating some of the Rokuhan concrete tie track in to the mix.
Using sectional track forces us to be a bit more symmetrical than the prototype of course, but it’s a good trade off when going for the industrial, urban look we wanted to achieve on the layout front.
Scenery, structures, the paved road and mixing the wood and concrete tie track will also go a long way in giving this layout a more organic feel.
WLE Using Rokuhan Track
Rokuhan # | Description | Length | Radius | Pieces Used |
|---|---|---|
| R001 | Straight | 110mm | 32 |
| R004 | Curve | R220 | 45° | 6 |
| R006 (now R039 ) | Left Turnout | 5 |
| R007 (now R040) | Right Turnout | 7 |
| R012 | Curve | R490 | 13° | 6 |
| R014 | Curve | R245 | 30° | 4 |
| R015 | Curve | R270| 30° | 3 |
| R020 | 13° Crossing Track | 2 |
| R020a (now R024) | Straight | 55mm | 3 |
| R026 | Left Curved Turnout | 30° | 1 |
| R029 | Track Bumper | 3 |
| R030 | Straight | 25mm | 1 |
Rokuhan has changed some of their part numbers but these changes have yet to be made by the track software we use, AnyRail. The numbers in the parenthesis are the new Rokuhan part numbers.
Be sure to check out the January | February issue of Ztrack Magazine article for scenic and structure placement suggestions as well as more tips and history to build this Westphalian-Eisenbahn layout.
Category: Ztrack Magazine Online Extras
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What a lovely piece! Thank you John.
Thanks Vinny,
It was kind of fun to play with some real photos here. I could see doing more plans like this and getting closer to what we see with Google Earth.
John
Ztrains
Nice layout would like to see more switching opportunities.
David,
We do have 13 turnouts total in this plan, mainly in the front of the layout. The plan was kept to the feel, if not the exact usage, of the Google track images.
John
Ztrains
I really wish Ztrack was offered in an electronic version or PDF. I refuse to buy any printed material as it costs too much to ship and weighs too much to move. I know a lot of folks refuse to give up printed materials, but for many others, that no longer works.
You bring up a good point Alex, electronic media is important and it’s getting to be more important all the time. Between iPads, other tablets and smartphones there is a real move towards digital magazines.
An interesting counterpoint, especially with niche publications, is that many people like the tactile experience of physically holding a magazine.
Lots of studies out there as to which is best. A combination of the two may be the future, economics allowing.
John
Ztrains