Mostly Because most Proto type industries do not have wyes. and have to be switched on the return trip. And that is what I plan to do. So it increases the ammount of travel on the layout and add more operational interest.
Looking for help designing a layout.
- Thread starter Bushel86
- Start date
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But thats why Its just another design. To get these kinda of feed back. to help me figure all this out.
thanks.
Update:
Recent health has been causing some distressing issues. I feel I may need to get neck surgery soon and possibly lower back as well, And That has put a damper on things. Which has me thinking I am going to have to go with a Larger scale due to the severity of what I am dealing with in my Spine. I feel I may end up in a wheel chair in the next few years. Which again has kinda made me reevalute what I want to do.
For instance standing for 15 minutes is about all I can achieve without severe pain. and While I really want a switching layout. I think a small inglenook layout will have to do to capture that niche, and or The N scale layout I had planned on building should accomplish my more Modern day era feel for that. But I have always been in love with Building structures and making small Vignettes. I esp love wood structures and scratch building old timey buildings. Which has got me thinking.
So because of my Health, failing rapidy. My layout Needs to be low enough to enjoy sitting or standing. I always Loved ON30 and the back woods whimiscal feel of On30. How ever I still love Ho scale. And I also Love Appalachian coal. So It has me thinking Of Doing Something Along the lines Of Malcom Furlow, Jason Jensons, and George sellios all in 1. If It can be done in my small room.?
The layout peramiters: will have to be dog boned. No lift outs or duck unders and no shelf design. as I don't know what my health is going to be like even a year from now.
Scale: Ho scale
Minimum Radius I am thinking 18" main, 15" branch and Siding But larger radius will still be prefered.
Motive power: small steams, and small diesels. (will need advise on steam size and their turn radius)
Rolling stock: Nothing Larger then 50' in Ho scale.
Era: Around 1900-1950's Not 100% set.
Location: Somewhere in the Appalachians
Will be Freelanced
Turnouts: Atlas number 4s and 6's and (even snap switches because I have them)
Number of industires to be switched, Minium of 2. (possibly a Mine and depot) but more is better.
And also absolutly No train running through the same scene
Track plans for insperation: The Carbindale central, The California and south western, june 1996 Model railroader, Jason Jensons Ho layout, Also there is a layout in the may 1991 MRR called the Mountian logging and finger ridge layout. And of course anything done by Malcom Furlow and George sellios, Lastly The San Jaun central possibly in standard gauge?
So thats is what I have been thinking lately, However I also have been thinking of other larger scales, And Really wish I could do a layout that could be converted from Ho scale to On30 with just some minor changes, But I would need someone like Tom Meeks to Figure that out for me. lol.. But Also Malcom Furlow did a layout In G scale called the Soda Creek and south Park RR. It has inspired me to want to try G scale in side this tiny room. However The foot print it would take up would mean I have no room for my Benchwork or be able to use the closet.. (but I still consider it because of the ammout of Detail I could do to the locomotives and rolling stock would be awesome.) what does everyone else think?
Need some Feed back and maybe some help coming up with a track plan..
Thanks,
Whatever you decide and to answer a couple of your questions, I would recommend to make a scale plan. It is easy to modify with just an eraser.
Without a plan, it'll be like progressing in a dark and foggy night. Having a good plan is very rewarding, you know where you,re going.
Concerning track radius I use 36" minimum for HO, which is 18" in N scale. I noticed that auto racks don't look the best on such a radius.
So I think 18" is a minimum for 89 footers.
15" should be ok in hidden areas, to be tested.
Then if it’s right for you could be incorporated to a larger layout
You could trial a couple of scales using cheap kit to get a taster
I love cheap kit it has great potential
Cheap plastic buildings weathered in my case
Even kids trains can help you explore
Look at ‘planks’ often one to two feet deep by two to six feet wide often static unpowered but they will drop you gently into the hobby
Sometimes trying to imagine the whole in one go is so daunting you never launch I know any number of gifted people who like these
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You're going to have some difficulty reaching/working the top center. That's a 3'+ reach.
Maybe. But mostly just for scenery reasons. as the track is within reach at all times. Plus their isnt anything there that would require much over reach unless I am uncoupling cars when sorting. But I doubt it be that far back from the first switch. But When it comes to doing all the detail work yeah I need a stool.
But thats why Its just another design. To get these kinda of feed back. to help me figure all this out.
thanks.
I love this photo, beautiful scenery, very realistic !
OK just a small update. I have Been still playing with the layout design... I am also working on a N scale design of the same layout. While I must admit I love the Track plan. But I still debating on size vs space. So I am going to Play with N scale designs with a more 1:1 scale building sizes. will post more when I get more done..
Ok quick update, I Have decided that Due to other Necessities that require my time and energy, And the use of the room, I will have to relagate the Layout to a small N scale Layout.. i'm thinking 3x7. Layout will be Both continous running and switching.. I do not have a Track plan I am firmly established yet. I wish I could build a large layout. But with my sitiution currently changing constantly. I will have to just learn to live with something smaller. I will collect some track plans I like and then Post them to kinda get some opinions on them. Maybe even make a build thread on the layout.. If you have a N scale layout that you want to share that is 3x7 or smaller Please share it, Love to get any insperation i can..
I actually thought of doing something around those lines. I actully found a Ho scale layout that I plan to convert to N scale. Its called the Metro Belt and terminal railroad, its in the April 2001 model railroader. while the main plan has a shelf extention. I do not plan on doing the shelf section yet. But will have it planned for future installments. I also am planning to make it more Modern warehouse district, and moutians as view blocks.
Update:
Recent health has been causing some distressing issues. I feel I may need to get neck surgery soon and possibly lower back as well, And That has put a damper on things. Which has me thinking I am going to have to go with a Larger scale due to the severity of what I am dealing with in my Spine. I feel I may end up in a wheel chair in the next few years. Which again has kinda made me reevalute what I want to do.
For instance standing for 15 minutes is about all I can achieve without severe pain. and While I really want a switching layout. I think a small inglenook layout will have to do to capture that niche, and or The N scale layout I had planned on building should accomplish my more Modern day era feel for that. But I have always been in love with Building structures and making small Vignettes. I esp love wood structures and scratch building old timey buildings. Which has got me thinking.
So because of my Health, failing rapidy. My layout Needs to be low enough to enjoy sitting or standing. I always Loved ON30 and the back woods whimiscal feel of On30. How ever I still love Ho scale. And I also Love Appalachian coal. So It has me thinking Of Doing Something Along the lines Of Malcom Furlow, Jason Jensons, and George sellios all in 1. If It can be done in my small room.?
The layout peramiters: will have to be dog boned. No lift outs or duck unders and no shelf design. as I don't know what my health is going to be like even a year from now.
Scale: Ho scale
Minimum Radius I am thinking 18" main, 15" branch and Siding But larger radius will still be prefered.
Motive power: small steams, and small diesels. (will need advise on steam size and their turn radius)
Rolling stock: Nothing Larger then 50' in Ho scale.
Era: Around 1900-1950's Not 100% set.
Location: Somewhere in the Appalachians
Will be Freelanced
Turnouts: Atlas number 4s and 6's and (even snap switches because I have them)
Number of industires to be switched, Minium of 2. (possibly a Mine and depot) but more is better.
And also absolutly No train running through the same scene
Track plans for insperation: The Carbindale central, The California and south western, june 1996 Model railroader, Jason Jensons Ho layout, Also there is a layout in the may 1991 MRR called the Mountian logging and finger ridge layout. And of course anything done by Malcom Furlow and George sellios, Lastly The San Jaun central possibly in standard gauge?
So thats is what I have been thinking lately, However I also have been thinking of other larger scales, And Really wish I could do a layout that could be converted from Ho scale to On30 with just some minor changes, But I would need someone like Tom Meeks to Figure that out for me. lol.. But Also Malcom Furlow did a layout In G scale called the Soda Creek and south Park RR. It has inspired me to want to try G scale in side this tiny room. However The foot print it would take up would mean I have no room for my Benchwork or be able to use the closet.. (but I still consider it because of the ammout of Detail I could do to the locomotives and rolling stock would be awesome.) what does everyone else think?
Need some Feed back and maybe some help coming up with a track plan..
Thanks,
Last edited:
DeaconKC
Well-Known Member
Well, of course the larger the scale, the more detail is possible. This could be a big consideration for if you want to build your structures on a desk or bench away from the layout proper. So O or HO are probably your best bets as you say G will probably be impossible in your space. HOn30 or HOn3 might be possibilities as it will allow your tighter radii curves while still giving good detailing options.
The Problem is my modeling desk, is Large, and Needs its own personal space. and I thought of downgrading. But You know how it is, always needing a bigger desk. So I need to plan to keep my desk in there. But that isn't a deal breaker. As far as going Hon3. Way to expensive for my Budget, and Hon30 is something I find is not quite the same as its big brother counter part ON30. and I can't say I really find Hon30 as attractive as On30. Idk maybe thats just me. but I am not ruling them out.
Jaz avalley
Station cat
Because of your health issues check out santafewillies layout he frequents the coffee shop
He has two levels I think this would suit you
The bottom level could be reached from a wheel chair the higher with a walking frame or on good days
You can incorporate a lift so you can run on both or either and it literally doubled your space
He has two levels I think this would suit you
The bottom level could be reached from a wheel chair the higher with a walking frame or on good days
You can incorporate a lift so you can run on both or either and it literally doubled your space
Sorry I haven't been updating. Things been evolving and changing, and Health has taken a turn for the worse. But the good news is. I still am determined to build a layout. The bad news is.. I am just not happy with anything I design. I am planning on building An Ho scale switching layout. Because i want to use it for mostly detailing Locomotives and freight cars, and show casing them. But to have a full on layout.. Right now. I just aint fully sold on it... based on room size. But.. it got me thinking,
While Switching layouts may infact become to much for me to spend hours switching, Its made me rethink things. SO..
I have been thinking about Doing N scale agian. And the reason for it, Is Because at this point I think I want to enjoy modeling a sub or a branch. thinking of Modeling Some Appalachian coal Hauling Road. Now I still want to model pre 80s, And I want to be able to run any rolling stock. And I think I still want to have some switching, to have a few industries, to run a local through. But Mostly I am thinking of Coal and double stacks/piggy backs. ( i know double stacks are 80s and beyond)
Right now what I am trying to decide is do I build something Small and then add on to it? or Do I just Build a Large layout from the start?
Honestly spending hours trying to come up with a plan has caused my physcial issues to increase more then it should. and caused a lot of frutrations.. So What do you think.. Start small and add on.. or go big right off? Have a Plan or go with No plan?
Lastly, while I want to plan to run auto racks, I need to know what the Minimum radius that they work best, So that I can plan to tighten my curves in hidden areas to help save some space.. I was thinking Minimum mainline 12" for Hidden areas and 15" for everywhere else. However I do plan on larger Curves as much as possible. I Just want to know what works for a minimum. So I can plan around it..
While Switching layouts may infact become to much for me to spend hours switching, Its made me rethink things. SO..
I have been thinking about Doing N scale agian. And the reason for it, Is Because at this point I think I want to enjoy modeling a sub or a branch. thinking of Modeling Some Appalachian coal Hauling Road. Now I still want to model pre 80s, And I want to be able to run any rolling stock. And I think I still want to have some switching, to have a few industries, to run a local through. But Mostly I am thinking of Coal and double stacks/piggy backs. ( i know double stacks are 80s and beyond)
Right now what I am trying to decide is do I build something Small and then add on to it? or Do I just Build a Large layout from the start?
Honestly spending hours trying to come up with a plan has caused my physcial issues to increase more then it should. and caused a lot of frutrations.. So What do you think.. Start small and add on.. or go big right off? Have a Plan or go with No plan?
Lastly, while I want to plan to run auto racks, I need to know what the Minimum radius that they work best, So that I can plan to tighten my curves in hidden areas to help save some space.. I was thinking Minimum mainline 12" for Hidden areas and 15" for everywhere else. However I do plan on larger Curves as much as possible. I Just want to know what works for a minimum. So I can plan around it..
Thanks for the link, I have thought about doing double layouts, and the whole lift for both heights, I operated one when I was younger at a friends house, and I hated it. But Its not that I havent thought about doing 2 different scales having a switching layout and a layout just for running, But as much as I think about it. I can't justify doing 2 scales like that in such a small room.
Hi Bushel 86.
Whatever you decide and to answer a couple of your questions, I would recommend to make a scale plan. It is easy to modify with just an eraser.
Without a plan, it'll be like progressing in a dark and foggy night. Having a good plan is very rewarding, you know where you,re going.
Concerning track radius I use 36" minimum for HO, which is 18" in N scale. I noticed that auto racks don't look the best on such a radius.
So I think 18" is a minimum for 89 footers.
15" should be ok in hidden areas, to be tested.
Jaz avalley
Station cat
Going small on a shelf / plank size to get a feel even non powered could help you decide
Then if it’s right for you could be incorporated to a larger layout
You could trial a couple of scales using cheap kit to get a taster
I love cheap kit it has great potential
Cheap plastic buildings weathered in my case
Even kids trains can help you explore
Look at ‘planks’ often one to two feet deep by two to six feet wide often static unpowered but they will drop you gently into the hobby
Sometimes trying to imagine the whole in one go is so daunting you never launch I know any number of gifted people who like these
Attachments
Jaz avalley
Station cat
Jaz avalley
Station cat
For us it was using a real station as a reference for the tracks
We have different stations working on different time lines
But each part is compartmentalised do you can keep your head in the game and we have changed area’s completely over time
The trackwork is one aspect you don’t want to rip up that gets messy
We have different stations working on different time lines
But each part is compartmentalised do you can keep your head in the game and we have changed area’s completely over time
The trackwork is one aspect you don’t want to rip up that gets messy
Attachments
Jaz avalley
Station cat
We also have a lot of purely static areas
A seaside cove the trains run behind
A village Goathland village the trains run underneath
A town centre the trains run underneath sat on what is tunnels for the lower track with a twin track running a the rear
Various water features because I love the reflections
And much has been rusted or weathered
You just need to let the aspect that excites you get you started a small bite size area could actually open you up to your potential
A seaside cove the trains run behind
A village Goathland village the trains run underneath
A town centre the trains run underneath sat on what is tunnels for the lower track with a twin track running a the rear
Various water features because I love the reflections
And much has been rusted or weathered
You just need to let the aspect that excites you get you started a small bite size area could actually open you up to your potential
Attachments
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