Railrunner130
Well-Known Member
I finally came to the realization that I can't exactly fit 50 lbs. of HO-scale crap onto a 4X8 with all that I want to do. So, I figured that with the available space, I would try two 4X8s around a corner.
HOExplorers wonderful thread on his current layout has served as an inspiration. I'm trying to do a fictional Rutland Railroad. Fictional in that I think the RUT line was along the flatter, western side of Vermont and I want to incorporate more of the mountainous features.
I want to somehow incorporate a marble quarry, creamery, brewery and possibly a logging operation into it. I want the industry to be light, not the booming smokestacks of heavy industry. There will be a few other features, like a motel and a bunch of little hunting camps, possibly a farm and a few passenger stations. I really want to add a Rubbles Depot somewhere.
Here's my very rough draft, built with SCARM.
I think the water area with a large bridge will be prominent, but not as big as seen here. The mountain portion will be up the middle of the bottom piece and across the middle of the top piece. The spurs at the top and the one at the bottom are all random thoughts that may or may not make the cut. I'm planning on adding one more on the "south" side of the big bridge that goes along the spine of the mountain. I'm also trying to figure out how/where to add one to the right of that where the two tracks come together on more of a mid-level spur.
Speaking of mid-level spurs, I'd like to take one of the upper spurs that leads nowhere and possibly shadow the lower track at a higher level. I'm not sure that would look right or perhaps it may not be tight enough to work. I'll have to play with that idea some more.
I do have some concerns about the part "south" of the big bridge where it goes over the other track and then drops down and loops under the track it just went over. Aside from looking weird, it may be too much of a grade change.
Any thoughts, concerns, ideas would be greatly appreciated.
HOExplorers wonderful thread on his current layout has served as an inspiration. I'm trying to do a fictional Rutland Railroad. Fictional in that I think the RUT line was along the flatter, western side of Vermont and I want to incorporate more of the mountainous features.
I want to somehow incorporate a marble quarry, creamery, brewery and possibly a logging operation into it. I want the industry to be light, not the booming smokestacks of heavy industry. There will be a few other features, like a motel and a bunch of little hunting camps, possibly a farm and a few passenger stations. I really want to add a Rubbles Depot somewhere.
Here's my very rough draft, built with SCARM.
I think the water area with a large bridge will be prominent, but not as big as seen here. The mountain portion will be up the middle of the bottom piece and across the middle of the top piece. The spurs at the top and the one at the bottom are all random thoughts that may or may not make the cut. I'm planning on adding one more on the "south" side of the big bridge that goes along the spine of the mountain. I'm also trying to figure out how/where to add one to the right of that where the two tracks come together on more of a mid-level spur.
Speaking of mid-level spurs, I'd like to take one of the upper spurs that leads nowhere and possibly shadow the lower track at a higher level. I'm not sure that would look right or perhaps it may not be tight enough to work. I'll have to play with that idea some more.
I do have some concerns about the part "south" of the big bridge where it goes over the other track and then drops down and loops under the track it just went over. Aside from looking weird, it may be too much of a grade change.
Any thoughts, concerns, ideas would be greatly appreciated.
