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I am new to the hobby and am planning my first layout and I would appreciate any comments on the attached sketch from more experienced modellers. Specifically I would like to know if you see any pitfalls with this layout. Here are the specifics;
- DCC operation only.
- There are no reversing loops.
- There are two separate loops that can be switched into one long loop.
- I have allowed for 3 1/2" between over/unders (from rail to rail)- is that enough to accommodate most bridge decks?
- All curves are min. 22" radius.
- Max. grade is 2.5%
- All grades are made with landforms, rather than tressels
- Horseshoe shape with the following table clearances; 16" top, 6" right, 24" botttom.
- layout dimensions are 17' x 15' with access inside the horseshoe.
I would like to suspend this from the ceiling with pulleys to raise/lower - is this a good or bad idea?
Lots of lovely curves...but what are the trains supposed to do? Are any industries being served? Try to have a purpose for your trains, then decide on where the track goes.
Allan
Interesting track plan, lots of running, great for scenery.
Some sidings for meets would greatly improve it, as would industries as was mentioned.
As for hanging it on pulleys, being that it's not a big rectangular hunk of wood it could be done but may be tricky...
Interesting plan, just make sure you won't get bored with it after a couple of months. Trust me, watching trains go around and around gets old quick.
I would at least have a yard, and some industries to switch, while you can still maintain continuous runs. This is the key to model RR.
Hmm, I've never heard of a pulley system to raise and lower, I would try to avoid that. Is there a reason for this idea? Room needs to be used for other things?
Increase the min radius curves to at least 24" or 28" if you can swing it, unless your only running 40' box cars. If you plan on running 85' passenger cars, they need big radius curves, the bigger the better they will look and run.
Also, download Atlas RTS (free) software to design your plan out, much easier than using paper & pencil.
You may want to double check your routes. If I am following your track plan correctly there is a reverse loop. It is the connection from the lower right of the layout that curves towards the top and connects to the other loop. I circled it in red.
Yea....I have to admit, it definitely looks fabulous on paper...but how much thought have you given to "substance"....industries, and locations..."traffic flow"...you going to have double ended sidings so that your industries can be accommodated in either direction?...if your just gonna "throw" trains on a table and having them do circles...that's one thing...In all honesty, when my father in law approached me about building a layout decades ago....we planned...and then planned some more...but he was the one that played smart ball about using temp cardboard buildings and held off on any scenery...until we KNEW for certain that everything would "flow" compatibly in train service....paid of in spades in the long run.
You may want to double check your routes. If I am following your track plan correctly there is a reverse loop. It is the connection from the lower right of the layout that curves towards the top and connects to the other loop. I circled it in red.
I used black & red ink (left & right) to follow around the whole layout and I never ran into any reversing loops. What's your opinion on this....is it a mistake to make a layout without having a way to turn the trains around? Some other modellers told me they prefer not having a reversing loop. What do you think?
It will be a great mountainest layout. I have seen others where guys are more into the scenics and just run trains and thats cool. Some aren't into the switching operation. But as others said maybe a staging yard, a siding or two or even just a run-around track to swap one train out to another, enabling you to operate two trains. IE passenger and freight. Other than that, very big layout with plenty of options. Your in the same state as me, I have the mainline figured (mostly), just placing sidings and extras once i determine the complete basic mainline.
I used black & red ink (left & right) to follow around the whole layout and I never ran into any reversing loops. What's your opinion on this....is it a mistake to make a layout without having a way to turn the trains around? Some other modellers told me they prefer not having a reversing loop. What do you think?
You have a nice big room for the layout! I am also a newbie but I can
tell you that your plan is really large for a starter layout. If you're like
me you're going to find out soon that your initial plan might not be
what you want in the long run. It is a good idea to start building something
smaller right now to gain some experience with the techniques and to find
out what you like / dislike in a layout. Also read a lot and visit other people's layouts.
There is no hurry, building and planning is the most fun phase anyway
If your initial layout is just a simple plywood plain, it will be easy to
re-use all the materials in your opus 2. John Armstrong's
Track Planning for Realistic Operation: Prototype Railroad Concepts for
Your Model Railroad is an excellent read
(see http://www.amazon.com/dp/0890242275 for example)
Well... I don't see any "reason" for these tracks. Trains can take a diverging route here and there but why? No interchange with the outside world either. Maybe running trains at random is your goal, which is perfectly ok, but I'd take some of the advice above. You also might want to dig into back issues of Model Railroader, etc to get some ideas. I also highly recommend 102 Realistic Track Plans by Kalmbach.
Don't get discouraged though. We're not trying to rain on your parade here, just give you tips from our experience (mistakes) with track planning.
I used black & red ink (left & right) to follow around the whole layout and I never ran into any reversing loops. What's your opinion on this....is it a mistake to make a layout without having a way to turn the trains around? Some other modellers told me they prefer not having a reversing loop. What do you think?
I may have not followed the tracks correctly. On the top it was hard to tell which was which. About the reversing loop, don't let me talk you into something you don't want but I would put one in it. It doesn't need to be an automatically switching reverse loop. You can make the segment completely seperate from the rest of the layout (electrically speaking). Using double throw toggle switches and protective segments on each side.
Although using an auto reverser and wiring it according to the instructions might be simpler.
