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    New around the walls layout

    Here's the latest revision, it's missing some detail but for now I hope it's good enough to discuss further. I find myself wanting to put "something" in the void between the aisle and yard, but it would have to be low relief so as not to hinder access to the yard. TIA for any additional input.
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    one direction or bidirectional

    Devin, I have thought about a peninsula, believe me. As part of the planning process I intend to draw up a plan or two to see if the operational advantages are worth it in my case.
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    one direction or bidirectional

    It's not ideal to have to run long hood forward, but it is done. I've seen an NS local in NJ do just that. The New Hope & Ivyland short tourist runs are handled the same way. I'm sure there's countless other examples. You've been following my track planning thread, in my case I'm probably be...
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    New around the walls layout

    Good advice Carey. I'm not trying to rush it, but I've been agonizing over different ideas for the last two years or so, so I'm more or less trying to light a fire under me to get out of analysis paralysis mode. Believe me, I'm not planning on laying track this weekend! Maybe next...
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    New around the walls layout

    I never really gave any thought to putting the yard up against the wall, I guess in the back of my mind I was thinking about reach issues. But with a narrow shelf, as long as there are no large structures to reach over it shouldn't be an issue. And it's not like the yard will be worked that...
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    New around the walls layout

    Doughless, Thanks for the efforts! I know I sound like a broken record, but time is tight during the week, but here's a draft of what I THINK I got out of your last post. There are some aspects of it that I like. Part of me is missing the original straight yard with the runaround for the...
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    Benchwork: Plywood, foamboard or both?

    No, I haven't done any testing yet, I've been so absorbed in track planning and getting the layout room ready. But I really want to use foam on top of plywood, makes for sub-grade scenery so easy. Perhaps the experience I had with it was on a layout where the foam was not secured enough to the...
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    New around the walls layout

    Ok, I'm tired and have not put much time in on it, and I think I missed some things along the way, but here's a start at a configuration as you've described. Again, very rough, but maybe you can nudge me in the right direction. I realize staging is missing from this plan, but should be easy...
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    New around the walls layout

    Doughless, thanks for putting a lot of thought into this, it is very much appreciated. I'm going to try and sketch it out as you described tonight. Zoegraf, your situation is very similar to mine. Just curious, what did you learn from your last layout? Anything you liked or disliked? The plan...
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    New around the walls layout

    I do intend to add more to the plan, for now I've just been focusing on the major factors, will come back in and add more detail later. Size of industries is a concern on a shelf layout. I'm planning on using at least a couple of Walthers Background buildings. One industry will be a scrap...
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    New around the walls layout

    Many thanks to all, I've gotten a lot out of this discussion. I'm going to tinker with various options and will post them here as time permits. Most likely on the weekend, I've been working 13 hour days lately. The one thing about the last plan that's bugging me is having curved yard...
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    New around the walls layout

    I drew the below plan up, and as soon as I posted it I realized that it's missing a key element. The blue is the hidden staging, green is the mainline. But what I've lost is the runaround that was along the N wall. As Doughless pointed out, that was a great spot for a crew to service the two...
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    dogbone or around wall style

    I put the last coat of paint on the walls, have ordered the shelf track components, and am ready to go and get the lumber any day now! Same here, after having a couple of island type layouts I've really come to admire shelf layouts. I haven't decided on the exact height yet, I may even go a...
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    New around the walls layout

    Thank you for all the great advice. I really like the concepts that are being put forth here. While initially I was sitting on the fence regarding staging, it's becoming clear that even on a simple layout like this it would go a long way towards operation. I agree that I was trying to make...
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    New around the walls layout

    Ok, thanks, I'll fill in the details this afternoon and post a new plan. Looking at the yard, I'm wondering if I should make the first (longest) yard track an A/D track instead...to allow bi-directional arrivals at the yard. And then there's the issue of having an escape in the yard. Being a...
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    dogbone or around wall style

    Joed2323, I'm in the same boat as you basically. See my recently started thread "New around the walls layout". My room is roughly 11x13. I drew tons of plans for dogbones, folded dogbones, and donut/pit style layouts. My frustration was the turnback "blobs". They limited the type of...
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    New around the walls layout

    Ok, I haven't hide time to nail down all the details, but is this the basic configuration we're talking about as far as yard and interchange locations? Again, thanks.
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    New around the walls layout

    I'm working on a plan to see how the yard would fit on the E side. As far as the facing point spurs, that was actually one idea that I came up with and was pleased with! I've also avoided having any switchbacks on this layout, another mistake I made once and won't do again. Some good ideas...
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    New around the walls layout

    Excellent thought. I initially dismissed having the yard there since it would be very short, but yes, with the use of curved turnouts for the lead it might be adequate. And that would maximize the space between points A and B for sure. You're right here as well. I think one of the...
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    New around the walls layout

    Thanks for the reply Devin. I thought about having a hidden staging track in the area that you mention, it would help. One of the concerns I have with my plan is that it's "bi-directional"...in other words, if I stage a train to arrive in the opposite direction of the "normal" train there's no...




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