Layout design help wanted

[malletman]

I have a very small layout room. Just measured it, 113 inches wide by 100 inches deep. in the front left corner are 2 doors, one into the room and one into the closet, both open into the room. Need help designing a small around the wall shelf layout with turn around loops at each end. Thinking of a shallow shelf around the right and back right walls, then bubbling out for a return loop. Other option is a suspended bridge over the door area and a removable section infront of the closet door. I could probably change the door to the hallway to open outward or just remove it all together. Trying to keep a wide enough radius for my 4-8-4 GN steam engine to run, 22" I suspect should be ok. Theme is somewhere along the Great northern during the steam to diesel transition. I have personly tried a few layout planning softwares and just cant get the hang of it. I have seen some guys that are really good designing layouts. Anybody here good with this and willing to help out. Would like to have a game plan before winter weather comes. Thanks Mike

 

[tankist]

ahem, it sounds like you actually have a plan as you mentioned a lot good suggestion for yourself. if you can't get hang of cad software, you can always use paper but then posting it for discussion will be more bothersome.
good luck

 

[mschreuder]

I would strongly suggest giving XTrkCad a try. It is pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it and the help section is actually useful. I have been using it off and on for a few years and it is great for trying out ideas.

For instance, I did a quick and dirty trackplan based on the dimensions you gave because I was kind of curious what could be done for continuous running in a relatively small room like you have. I attached the picture of the basic loop just to show what can be done in 15-20 minutes of doodling. Without more exact dimensions of door size, exact location etc. I had to make a few guesses, but you get the general idea.