New layout - need pros/cons

[jeffros]

Ok about to start a new layout (been out of the hobby since I was a kid). I have the area, the cash and the time now (good winter project). I designed it all on Any rail www.anyrail.com

I basically have all the materials (wood, track, some locos and rolling stock) and am about to start sometime next week.

Would like to hear some professional input on my layout (you guys are the best).
thanks
Jeff

 

[UP2CSX]

Do you have access to all four sides of the layout? If not, it's going to be tough getting to any problems in that tunnel. If you do, you should be fine. You should also add a crossover track somewhere near the end of the yard tracks or your engine is going to get trapped behind a cut of cars.

Is there some reason you need that inner loop? You can take the logging and industry spurs off a passing track from the mainline and have more room for your town and a couple of more industry spurs.

Othet than that, looks like a real nice layout.

 

[ramcneal]

Ok about to start a new layout (been out of the hobby since I was a kid). I have the area, the cash and the time now (good winter project). I designed it all on Any rail www.anyrail.com

I basically have all the materials (wood, track, some locos and rolling stock) and am about to start sometime next week.

Would like to hear some professional input on my layout (you guys are the best).
thanks
Jeff

A friend of my steered me away from doing anything with a pit in the middle. He told me that I would hate having to duck under all of the time to run the train. For that reason plus a few others I decided to build a shelf around the room I'm using. During the benchwork stage there have been many times that I had to duck under the framework to reach a few things while building. After doing this a few times I am so glad I didn't build something that required ducking under for normal operations. I should also state that I'm young, only 49, and in pretty decent shape at 6'2" with my chest measurement still larger than my waist and stomach. Just something to think about. It's your choice of course, but make the choice with your eyes wide open.

 

[jeffros]

Thanks for the replys.
1. no I only have access to one side thats why in going with the pit in the center. The tunnel might be a challenge.
2. I thought it would be nice to have 2 "loops" to run 2 trains at the same time. Outer loop for passenger and inner for freight/logging.
3. Well I thought about not having the pit but I like the idea of countinous running of the train (kids will like it). Not enough room for a turn around with 24" turns (takes 4.5 feet).

Its not cast in stone and I have not started on it yet.. just wanted some feedback since im new at this - still researching. Ive drawn over 30 different track setups from U, L and shelf type layouts and i think the 360 degree setup will work the best for the space I have.

Feel free to add or remove from my layout.. thats why im here.

thanks
Jeff

 

[ramcneal]

Thanks for the replys.
3. Well I thought about not having the pit but I like the idea of countinous running of the train (kids will like it). Not enough room for a turn around with 24" turns (takes 4.5 feet).

I was thinking the same thing when I started planning for my layout. Take a look at my layout here.
http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10740
I used loops at each end of the main so it almost wraps around my shelf twice.

Its not cast in stone and I have not started on it yet.. just wanted some feedback since im new at this - still researching. Ive drawn over 30 different track setups from U, L and shelf type layouts and i think the 360 degree setup will work the best for the space I have.

I understand about trying different approaches. That's half the fun of designing the layout, at least it's half the fun for me. I just thought I would point out something that at first I didn't think would bother me. Your kids might not have a problem, but depending on age and your construction technique you may have to pay special attention to the duck-under to avoid loose wires, nails, rough corners, etc..

Feel free to add or remove from my layout.. thats why im here.

thanks
Jeff

 

[SpaceMouse]

The biggest "problems" are reach related. You won't be able to get to your track to clean or even work on in corners. 30" is max for bench width even if you are a big guy.

Instead of a duck-under, consider a lift-out bridge. At least it won't be in the way when you are building. That's when ducking will drive you crazy.

The area you have for logging is pretty small. When you do your design, pick your buildings and see how things fit. Also layout your roads and outbuildings/ houses so that you see how everything fits. If you don't you get everything near done and your layout can look pretty dumb, and now your boxed into a corner.

On my website there are two thing of interest you might want to look at. First is my beginner's guide if you haven't seen it already. (Click below) 2nd, last year about this time I hosted a 10 x 12 layout design contest. Not quite your shape, but you might get ideas.

http://www.chipengelmann.com/Trains/10x12Contest.html

 

[UP2CSX]

The reach issue is a biggie, especially since you're going to have to be reaching over mountains. Even with a lift out in the tunnel, it will be near impossible to see what you're doing when a train goes off the track. The only way to solve that problem is to make a small lift out panel, probably at the stream. It would work but you'll grow to hate it.

You can run two trains by having passing sidings. You have plenty of room at the top, right side, and bottom of the plan. While watching two trains run in circles will be fun for the first few days, it will soon get boring. Running two trains with passing sidings is the way the real railroads do it all the time with single track mains and it gives you challenges in running your trains. You can even automate the process with DCC, where the train will take the siding and then wait for the other train to pass before coming out.

Can you give us a drawing with the dimensions of your room? That will help us visualize alternatives to your current plan.

 

[jeffros]

The room is basically 12x20 feet (the area I have free). Its actually 12X34 with a cutout for stairs that takes up 6x14 feet and the other 6x14 is storage.
my planned layout runs from side wall to side wall (12') and 2 feet from the
front wall for clearance and access. Im 5'9" and pretty limber so I wont mind ducking under.
here is layout #14 v2 (still a work in progress).

 

[UP2CSX]

Much better. Getting rid of the inner loop gave you more space for some additional spurs, which is part of the fun of running trains. You might want to run another spur behind the passenger station for use as a team track.

 

[Cjcrescent]

Jeff;

You have an 8x12 area for the layout. That area gives you greatly added flexibility in which to build a very good layout. It also makes it easier to build just as bad a disaster. I would HIGHLY recommend that before you lay saw to wood you get a couple of books. (Read SM's guide for beginners if you haven't already!)

The first book is John Armstrong's, "Track Planning For Realistic Operations" and get either the, "101 Trackplans for Model Railroaders", by Lynn Westcott, or the newer version, "102 Trackplans...". All of these books are available from Kalmbach Publishing, (Model Railroader magazine).

If you can only get one, get the Armstrong book. It basically is the bible when it comes to developing a trackplan. Read that book and follow his advice and you won't get tired of the plan 2 weeks after it's built.

 

[jeffros]

Jeff;

You have an 8x12 area for the layout. That area gives you greatly added flexibility in which to build a very good layout. It also makes it easier to build just as bad a disaster. I would HIGHLY recommend that before you lay saw to wood you get a couple of books. (Read SM's guide for beginners if you haven't already!)

The first book is John Armstrong's, "Track Planning For Realistic Operations" and get either the, "101 Trackplans for Model Railroaders", by Lynn Westcott, or the newer version, "102 Trackplans...". All of these books are available from Kalmbach Publishing, (Model Railroader magazine).

If you can only get one, get the Armstrong book. It basically is the bible when it comes to developing a trackplan. Read that book and follow his advice and you won't get tired of the plan 2 weeks after it's built.

Do you mean this book - http://www.amazon.com/Track-Plannin...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231197016&sr=1-1

and this book - http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Track-Railroaders-Railroad-Handbook/dp/0890245126/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c

I think ill go ahead and order them. thanks for the replys!