Doughnut shaped layout?

[GMTrainNut]

I'm about to start on a new layout, and have spent the last couple of months trying to come up with a plan. Previous layouts were mostly table top or island designs. I have a spare room to work with, about 9.5 x 14 ft, just have to leave room for a desk and chair.

I'm not asking for track plan help (yet ). I'm attempting to come up with a plan that allows continuous operation as well as a little switching here and there.

The layout does need to be movable, so it will be built in sections.

So I find myself looking at doughnut shaped plans, along the lines of the 8x9 Heart of Georgia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOGRR/

I like the idea, it does allow for a longer mainline and some broader curves than an island type layout. The biggest drawback for me is the lack of room for structures. But I would design something a bit larger than the HOG.

But, getting to the crux of the matter: Have any of you built or operated on a layout like this, and what are your thoughts? Besides the obvious problem of having a duckunder, are there any drawbacks that didn't become obvious until you built/operated on one? To me it seems weird to not have a backdrop. I suppose if you committed to only operating it from the "pit" you could run a backdrop around the outside.

The only other concept I can come up for the available space is a walk in folded dogbone, one with a rather tight access aisle.

So I'm leaning towards the doughnut, but before going any further was hoping to get some feedback.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Rico]

Some time ago there was an article on building a hexagon shaped layout, N scale I believe. If I were to start again I think I'd do a variation of it in HO or On30.
Does anyone remember this one?
(not much help am I?)

 

[Shortliner2001]

This is the HOG upgrade and might be just what you are looking for - Fom the SLD Yahoo group which I moderate
For those interested the link to the yahoops group is

<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dixiecentral>

At 12:44 11/25/2009, you wrote:
>The Dixie Central is the next phase of layout design after the
>successful Heart of Georgia (HOG) layout.
>
>I've started a new Yahoo Group called dixiecentral for those that
>want to follow or need help in building their own version.
>
>You can also following along on the Blog:
>http://dixiecentralrailroad.blogspot.com/
>
>We start construction today!
>
>Scott Perry

 

[ICG/SOU]

9.5'x15.5' is what I'm working on right now. It is two level (lower is O, upper is HO), and is around the walls, but the benchwork is anywhere from 20" to 36" deep, so plenty of room for track and scenery. The O level is a simple loop, with a passing siding, and interchange, and a very small yard. The HO level is essentially 2 loops (one outer and inner) with a crossing and interchange (between ICG and SOU), a small interchange yard, one passing siding (on the outer loop), and a handful of industries, loco service, and a small business district.

The only problem I had and continue to have is the amount of liftouts and liftgates I have, as well as their placement. I have a total of 6 (2 liftouts lower, 4 liftgates upper), and being that the doors are in a bad place (corner filled room on both long sides), all my liftgates are on a curve.

 

[GMTrainNut]

Thanks for the responses! I can't recall a hexagonal shaped N scale layout in any of the magazines, will have to search around some...

That Dixie Central sure is a new and unique concept, I'll be watching the construction of that one for sure, as well as joining the Yahoo Group.

Trey, any photos available? I'd like to go around the walls on a shelf but don't want to build something that's tied to the exact dimensions of the current move.

How about minimum "pit" size? I see some plans have about a 2 ft wide pit, is that a little too snug? I know that depends on how, umm, rotund the operator may be LOL. But 2 ft strikes me as too small. There are two plans from Kalmbach that I was using as guidelines, the Indiana & Aurora and the Georgia Southern, but wanted more room in the middle.

Thanks again, appreciate all feedback.

 

[Selector]

Hello. I have a central operating pit and duckunder. I can still tolerate the duckunder at 57 years of age. It helps that I am short and that my layout's stilts are long.

I like this style, but I would only use it in a relatively confined space to maximize the chances of broad curves.

-Crandell

 

[GMTrainNut]

Looks great Crandell, I've seen many shots of your layout but never the overview. What are the rough dimensions of your layout?

Thanks.

 

[UP2CSX]

I'm a fan of a walk-in style folded dogbone because that's what I have. The tricky part with a donut shaped layout is the tendency to build out to the walls and not leave any aisleway space. You then have to go into the pit to do anything and reach can be a real problem. As long as you have some room on the sides and can tolerate the duckunder, a donut shape will give you the maximum area for trackage and scenery.

 

[Rico]

Very nice Crandell, great to see an overview of someones layout as GMTN said!
Okay so now it's going to be driving me nuts trying to remember the name of that hex shaped layout!
I recall it being N scale and possibly had to do with Conrail?

 

[Selector]

Looks great Crandell, I've seen many shots of your layout but never the overview. What are the rough dimensions of your layout?

Thanks.

Thanks!! Where the camera is, held high and very near the suspended ceiling, it is about 12" to the right of the high corner since it is a hill just below. To the right, from the corner, and similarly on the far wall under the window, it is exactly 9' across to the righthand wall above the coaling tower. The distance from the layout edge, where the camera is, to that far wall under the window, is 13' 9"

To enter the layout I must stoop and enter from the left. That diagonal bridge you see is a component of my reversing loop. It is hinged at the left where it meets the frame, and it is held in place on the far end with two brass barrel locks. In each case, the hinges and locks are integral components of the track power on the swing-up bridge, and also of the PSX-AR reverser unit hidden on the back side of the framing where the bridge encounters the module with the yard.

Works like a darn, but I have scraped my back several times, once a rather painful one, on both the entery and moving under that bridge. Build it all robustly so that my own ineptitude doesn't cause any damage. Just to me.

-Crandell

 

[GMTrainNut]

I'm a fan of a walk-in style folded dogbone because that's what I have. The tricky part with a donut shaped layout is the tendency to build out to the walls and not leave any aisleway space. You then have to go into the pit to do anything and reach can be a real problem. As long as you have some room on the sides and can tolerate the duckunder, a donut shape will give you the maximum area for trackage and scenery.

Jim,

Thanks, that's the kind of feedback I'm looking for, appreciate it.

 

[GMTrainNut]

Rico,

I will try my best to recall that layout you've got embedded in your brain!

Crandall,

Thanks for the additional info. I'm a little concerned about a duckunder, while I intend to build the layout fairly high I am 6' 2" and, as I trudge into middle age, do have the occasional sore back!

 

[ICG/SOU]

I have 4' of width to work with (aisle).

I'll get pictures shortly.

 

[Beachbum]

You might also take a look at the Wildcat Central which was in Model Railroader a few years back - it's a more-or-less beginner's donut plan with some hidden staging and some switching.

I'm a huge fan of donuts / around-the-walls plans but I confess I've never built anything with a duckunder or liftout. I think a liftout would be better but I'm not sure I'd want to deal with maintaining the alignments, etc.

 

[joem5127]

My layout is a 12 x 12ish doughnut I have been working on for about two years. I have a backdrop around the out side and operate from the center. It is 50” off the floor and I am relatively short so the duck under isn’t a problem for me but some guest operators have trouble with it. It has become enough of a problem that I’m planning on changing it some type of swinging gate.

 

[GMTrainNut]

Joe,

I've been keeping an eye on your layout, looks like you're making nice progress. Do you have a track plan sketched out? I don't have quite as much room as you but need all the inspiration I can get!

 

[GMTrainNut]

Here's a few shots at a track plan, these are by no means meant to be complete, more just basic ideas. I really do think I want to go the sectional route a la the HOG. These are all 22" min radius. Will welcome any feedback at all.

 

[UP2CSX]

The second plan gives you access from three sides and it looks like it has less than a 33" reach for the section against the wall. Do you really have that much available space in the room? If so, you can open up the donut in the middle and add a four foot square "blob" on each end to give you room for 22" radius curves and no duckunder.

 

[bkpigs]

3rd layout is my vote

I would personally go with the third layout. I am not a fan of the constant left (or right) hand turns. I like to have both left and right turns. This layout would also give you lots of access to the track. Just my $.02 worth so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[DaWolf85]

I would personally go with the third layout. I am not a fan of the constant left (or right) hand turns. I like to have both left and right turns. This layout would also give you lots of access to the track. Just my $.02 worth so take it with a grain of salt.

I see what you're saying. But it doesn't give you better access to the track.
I like it because it gives you more mainline run.