Does anyone want to design a layout for me? I need some ideas

[UPRRfan]

Hello everyone, I am currently working on a new layout and was wondering if anyone would want to design a track plan for me?? Listed below are some stuff I would like to see in the track plan/requirements.

Requirements:
Scale: HO
Prototype: Union Pacific
Era: Steam or Transition Era (1930's to 1950's).
Dimensions: No less than 4x8 but anything from 4x8 to bedroom sized layouts.
Power: DC (Cant afford to upgrade to DCC)
Operations: Realistic Operation/Prototypical Operation.
Landscape: Midwest to Western United States (Any place that the Union Pacific operates).

Specs:
1. Minimum radius: What ever the minimum radius is for HO scale (16" i believe?)
2. Little or no grades (I don't want my locos to work to hard haha)


That's all that i can think of at the moment, I know its a lot but i want it to be planned out so i dont run into problems later on down the road.
So if anyone is up to the challenge it would help me out a ton!!!

Thank you so much in advance!!

 

[otiscnj]

What are the dimensions of the space you have to work with? Also, 16" radius is very tight in HO-particularly if you want to operate 'the big stuff.'

 

[bn-1000]

Hi UPRRFan,

Congrats on the idea for a new layout. I understand it is hard to start off will lots of ideas and attempt to translate them into a working layout. I cannot help you with the actual track plan however as otiscnj has implied I think you need to have a more clear definition on the space available. 16" radius will be stretching the friendship on some locos I feel.

Perhaps a good idea would be to measure out the room you intend to commit to a layout and include doorways, windows, build-in cupboards, heaters, or any other fixture which will get in the way and you cannot move. Draw it up on a piece of graph paper and go from there.

Cheers,
Stephen

 

[UPRRfan]

I have a big basement that i could use, all open space so i could really go crazy with one, i just need some help designing a track plan lol, and the radius should be 18" minimum and not 16" lol

 

[UPRRfan]

I have a big basement thats all open so i could really go crazy with one if i wanted lol and the radius should be 18" not 16" lol, i just need some help designing a track plan lol
Thanks!

 

[Motley]

Confused. You say your looking for something 4x8 or bedroom sized? Now you have a huge basement?

You need to figure out how much space in your basement you want to use. Don't try to build a 30' x 30' layout for your first time.

Give us some dimensions, and post a photo of the space.

And don't use 18" minimum radius curves, I would strongly recommend at least 24"-28" minimum radius. You have the room, the bigger the curves the better. Trust us when we say this.

You also need to give us more details. Like do you want a two track mainline,with continuous running. Or do you want a point to point layout, (no continuous running) with a big yard or something.

Also, what industries do you want to model? Passenger station? A big mountain with a tunnel? A coal mine? A rail yard? Staging tracks? Bridges? Rivers, lakes? A farm scene? Rolling hills? Logging/saw mill?

Remember scenery is just as important as a track plan.

Are you good with woodworking? You will need to build benchwork for the layout.

 

[bn-1000]

UPRRfan, Don't get disheartened, bud. I've been 5 years in the planning for my current HO layout. You name it - family, work, can't decided on period, era, scenery, location - everything has gotten in the way, but finally commenced last week. Hopefully yours wont take that long, but Motley has some very good points there. They are the real foundation to a really well mapped out track plan. Draw out that room, post some pictures etc and the ideas will come!

 

[UPRRfan]

well want i meant was the layout could be anywhere from a 4x8 to a bedroom sized layout because i will be in the basement of my house. I did make a video of some track plans that i may do but would like some input on them, here is the link: http://youtube.com/UPRRfan
It should be the first video on my channel.
And i would like a one track mainline with continuous running just because im going to be new to the realistic operations thing. I also want just a small yard so i can hold all my cars and engines in.
The industries i want are a coal factory because im going after a small coal town. Saying that then leads me to scenery, i would like some mountains with tunnels and some tall trees and again a small town.
And yes im good with wood working, i have taken a couple wood working classes in school and in another one this year plus ive helped build sets for the school plays the last few years as well.

Thanks for your help!!!!

 

[UPRRfan]

ill post some later today hopefully!

Thanks!!