ho layout plan/ construction

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View attachment 21934

This is my current area. I do not plan on using this particular table. It is a 4x8.
The uppermost part would be in a sepperate room, accessed via long skinny thing over the oil tank and under the stairs.:rolleyes: that would be a shelf layout.
The lower right area can be accessed by walking around the end of the table.
I might have to round of a few corners so they follow the arc of the track.

The little bridge is thing in the entry to the opperating area is removeable.

The max. radius is 24" and the min is 20" (on the mainline) and the minimum radius is 18" on the sidings. The small line with impossible curves will be a "tooter line" See "tooter's scooters" in the narrow guage section.

Is there ary obvius flaws, or a way to make it better. I priced out over $500 dollars in turnouts, and that is WAY out of budget. I don't really want to spend over $400 on all the track (code 100 by the way) If there are any uneccisary turnouts let me know. The period is 1950's appalation. The only locos I currently have that I will be using on my layout are a a/b pair of F7's both powered and a NYC hudson streamlined. The hudson came with 85' passengers, but I don't plan on using them.

Thanks, Mitch
 
I was going to say it looks like alot of track. There seems to be alot of curves with no purpose. You're leaving very little room for scenery.

Save yourself some money, and simplify the plan. Make sure you plan for some operations, ie. industry sidings, passing sidings, etc. And plan for scenery, buildings, lakes/rivers/mountains.

Also have you planned for 2% grades on all those bridges?

Can you use that space (lower-right) the 4x8, and get rid of the loopity loops in the middle, it doesn't make any sense. Try to incorporate more straight track. You're trains will be on constant curves with your plan, it's more visually appealing to see trains on straight track (like the prototype).

Maybe you can have an operating pit in the middle, something like the HOG (Heart of Georgia) a popular layout for newbies. Notice how simple the plan is, but is very functional and prototypical.
255108471_EFDCD04ADEEA8C19F364D78D3.jpg
 
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I will admit it is a bit complex, however that is VERY eventual.
I kind of have to keep the lower left hand corner open to access the washing machine. (small house) If there is any way to make that modular, I would like that. You're right, too many tight curves. Let my do some redesigning...
 
First of all, I wouldn't actually buy the sets, but I might use the map to make one of my own, maybe with wider turns or some thing. I probably like the last one best, but I also like the others. What do you guys think?I like lats of scenery, but I also like spaghetti-ball industrial and urban areas.

Here are wo other options:
View attachment 21946$500 View attachment 21947$480

I don't plar on running any thing more than 50-60' long cars. I will be doing mostly freight, but I would like to hane a small passenger train.

View attachment 21948


I redesigned my original plan.....


any suggestions appreciated,
Mitch
 


Also, does anyone know where I can get a heavyweight steam likle a 2-6-6-2 or a 2-6-6-6 or maybe somthing else along those lines. I would prefer if it could do 20-22" radius corners. thanks.
 
If you will ever wish to run more than one locomotive at a time, then DCC is the sensible choice, in my opinion. The wiring is much simpler than DC if you want to run even two locomotives at the same, never mind 3 or 4.

I hope you are not limiting your layout choices to those from the Atlas web site. There are probably thousands of track plans on the web. While I'm no expert on track planning, selecting a track plan that exists mainly to sell track (i.e., the Atlas plans) is not my idea of how to plan a model railroad.

There are so many great track plans freely available on the web; don't limit yourself.

Here are three good layout design resources:
Layout Design Gallery
Space Mouse's Design Contests
Layout Design SIG

- Jeff
 
Mitch, as a long time Appalachian modeler, I can tell you that coal country had lots of sharp curves. With the space you have there, an around the walls layout is screaming 'build me!'

First of all, what are your favorite RRs in the region? B&O? C&O? N&W? Interstate? Southern? Western Maryland? This will have a LOT to say about what you model and what you can fit in. Since you are thinking narrow gauge logging/mining along with the standard gauge, that limits you a little, but not much.

Max Robin did a great layout plan in February 1981 RMC based on B&O, C&O and Western MD. A narrow gauge feeder could easily be worked in. The issue can be found on Ebay I'm sure, or at your local club or hobby shop's old mag pile.
 
I was sort of optimistic on space, so I was thinking that I would have a 4x8 and later add on a freight yard or somthing. Only problems with an around the walls layout-
i like continuos running, and I would have a hard time turning around.
The walls are plain concrete (foundation) so it would be hard to attack a shelf layout.

But it's still a good idea.
I can't get it to post so i'll show you guys later.
 
View attachment 22128 this my 4x8 plan.the large spiral isahelix thing around a mountain, and in the open space Iplan to put industrys and maybe loco facilities. later I will add a 4x4 section to form an "L". I know the corners are tight, but i don't have much rolling stock yet, (all I have is an F7) but I plan on having a fw GP7's for a double header and a steam engine of sorts. I don't know why, but I like this layout best of all. Any suggestions welcome.
 
Does anybody know if there were ever any mikados or somthing like that for pennsy? I would like to purchase a heavy steam freighter and that what I thought of...
 


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